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sudheerj Regular Poster on IAH

Joined: Dec 04, 2009 Posts: 343 Location: Miyapur, Hyderabad
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 11:34 am Post subject: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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Hi all .
I have been trying different methods for removing algae getting attached to glass occasionally, including Rs 500 + Magnetic scraper and putting hand inside with old plastic credit card etc. But today when I saw my wifes chapathi tweezer in kitchen I got an idea and it soon transformed in to a cheap but effective scraper for algae.
disadvantages of magnetic scrapers are
if any sand or hard particles goes in between magnetic scraper it creates scratch in glass. also it is costly.
IN case of this cheap scraper,
The blade can be replaced as it is ordinary razor blade and the tool become very effective
To make one needs:
1: A stainless steel chapati Tweezers ( ~rs 50)
2) An ordinary razor blade (<rs 2)
Just straighten the tweezers and make the arm type area flat and make a hole there at the end. Use a small nut and bolt ( it can be taken from an old switch or so) to fix blade at the end . The scraper is ready.
take care of your wife coming after you with chapati stick......
with best regards,
Sudheer |
Last edited by sudheerj on Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:32 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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aquariumer Regular Poster on IAH

Joined: Sep 06, 2010 Posts: 1115 Location: The Hague
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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thats great improvisation.becarefull while handling
same method is available at LFS but it costs a lot |
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sudheerj Regular Poster on IAH

Joined: Dec 04, 2009 Posts: 343 Location: Miyapur, Hyderabad
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:26 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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Thanks Emma,
I saw the LFS scrapers which had fixed not sharp blades which are effective when there is a thick layer of algae but this can remove even the thinnest layer of algae |
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VNK224 IAH New Member

Joined: Nov 08, 2011 Posts: 80 Location: Bangalore
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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thats is what an innovation....  |
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deepakg Committed Member of IAH

Joined: Mar 27, 2011 Posts: 2410 Location: Mumbai/Bangalore.
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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That's very creative. I will try that too.  |
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saikumar Committed Member of IAH

Joined: Jan 30, 2007 Posts: 2226 Location: HYD-is-good
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:00 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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Too good Sudheer
So 1 blade goes for 4 months? |
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ruchit Regular Poster on IAH

Joined: May 16, 2010 Posts: 590 Location: Bangalore
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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Nice scrapper but wont it leave a scratch mark on the glass ? |
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hems Regular Poster on IAH

Joined: Oct 09, 2006 Posts: 745 Location: Thane
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:58 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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ruchit wrote (View Post):
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Nice scrapper but wont it leave a scratch mark on the glass ?
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Same thing came in my mind when i saw Photo...I guess it'll leave scratch marks if rubeed opposite direction. |
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swapnilk Regular Poster on IAH

Joined: Dec 03, 2010 Posts: 298 Location: Maharashtra
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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good but it's dangerous too...
it can leave a scratch on a glass as Ruchit said...
you gotta be careful....or you can simply use algae remover duster instead.see Image |
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sudheerj Regular Poster on IAH

Joined: Dec 04, 2009 Posts: 343 Location: Miyapur, Hyderabad
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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thanks all,
@Sai 1 blade can last 2-3 months Sai if care is taken not to hit the bottom, it can even last more . If it hits bottom then its sharpness goes.
Hi Ruchit and other doubtful,
Blade can never make scratch on glass. It is the funda of hardness, if you have doubt you take a piece of glass and take all your strength to make a scratch on it using a blade. But what blade can not do can be done with smallest piece of quarts ( sand particle) because its hardness is same or more than that of glass depending on composition.
@swapnilk
I gave up those magnetic dusters as the issue is what I mentioned, by mistake if a sand particle goes in between glass and the magnet you will have all your glass with scratches...
Sudheer |
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Yogesh Moderator

Joined: Sep 18, 2005 Posts: 3515
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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For those unaware, razor blade is also used to scrape white water-stains on old tank glass.
Good DIY Sudheer.  |
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saikumar Committed Member of IAH

Joined: Jan 30, 2007 Posts: 2226 Location: HYD-is-good
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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sudheerj wrote (View Post):
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Hi Ruchit and other doubtful,
Blade can never make scratch on glass. It is the funda of hardness, if you have doubt you take a piece of glass and take all your strength to make a scratch on it using a blade. But what blade can not do can be done with smallest piece of quarts ( sand particle) because its hardness is same or more than that of glass depending on composition.
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Live tested it... seriously I feel Im scratching it but there is no mark on it!!
but be careful that you dont scrape off your silicon as well
Sudheer,
Any reason to not use the shaving set itself? it will be safer to use if it works.
...and by bottom you mean Tank bottom(substrate)? or edge of algae(glass surface)? |
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sudheerj Regular Poster on IAH

Joined: Dec 04, 2009 Posts: 343 Location: Miyapur, Hyderabad
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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Common Sai, so you went to test it!!. if a blade can cut glass why people will use diamond cutters for cutting glass?, but if you have a sharp quartz grain it can cut glass for you.
Shaving set?? How can it be made close to the glass wall at required angle to remove algae? In shaving sets blade get fixed ( old type) at right angles to the handle, it is difficult to get the blade in contact with glass.. which ls flat unlike your face....
I meant the blade hitting sand substrate.
you are correct one need to be care full not to scrape off silicone!!. |
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sudheerj Regular Poster on IAH

Joined: Dec 04, 2009 Posts: 343 Location: Miyapur, Hyderabad
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:47 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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Yogesh wrote (View Post):
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For those unaware, razor blade is also used to scrape white water-stains on old tank glass.
Good DIY Sudheer.
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Thanks Yogesh.
Sudheer |
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saikumar Committed Member of IAH

Joined: Jan 30, 2007 Posts: 2226 Location: HYD-is-good
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Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: A simple but effective algae scraper |
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sudheerj wrote (View Post):
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Shaving set?? How can it be made close to the glass wall at required angle to remove algae? In shaving sets blade get fixed ( old type) at right angles to the handle, it is difficult to get the blade in contact with glass.. which ls flat unlike your face....
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Science of shaving!! this asks for a paper on its own.
Please see if you can plan for a guard over it, to avoid human mishaps.
Cheers. |
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