How often do you replace your scraper blades?

[jgln]

I ask the question because I am not sure if my blade is just not doing its job anymore or my algae is just getting more difficult to remove. The blade is about 1 year old and did a great job new. My problem is there are certain spots where the algae doesn't come off with the mag float so I have to work on those with the scraper. What I am having problems getting off is spots of algae that start as small spots and spread to larger spots kind of like the way mold grows, or coraline algae for that matter but its not. I have coraline algae. This is not the thin algae film that appears on the glass every couple days, that comes right off. Probably going to order a new one anyway.

Jim

[snorvich]

Yeah, you need a new one. Mine work well (metal) until they bend, then they are almost useless.

[jgln]

22 looks but only 1 reply? I was hoping for better than that. Should I assume you don't use scrapers?

[pamedee]

Is your scraper metal or plastic? Metal will rust very quickly being placed in saltwater so you should have to replace that very often. I use metal scrapers because they work well. I haven't tried plastic ones but I would say if you got a year's worth of it, that is pretty good.

[BonesCJ]

I just use the flat razors that come with the small plastic handle (2 packs for less than 5 bucks) and replace the razor blade every 2 or 3 uses, it takes coraline off with no effort.

[jgln]

Originally posted by pamedee
Is your scraper metal or plastic? Metal will rust very quickly being placed in saltwater so you should have to replace that very often. I use metal scrapers because they work well. I haven't tried plastic ones but I would say if you got a year's worth of it, that is pretty good.

Metal, and it doesn't appear to have any rust whatsoever, probably high grade stainless steel. It's the 24' Kent model. The blade may be a bit uneven though which may be the issue. Thanks for the input!

[jgln]

Originally posted by BonesCJ
I just use the flat razors that come with the small plastic handle (2 packs for less than 5 bucks) and replace the razor blade every 2 or 3 uses, it takes coraline off with no effort.

Like the ones they sell for scraping paint? I think the smaller scrapers you hold right by the blade will do a quicker job but the problem is I would need to go up to my elbow in the tank each time. The 24" extension is nice but you lose leverage and pressure that far from the blade. I guess it’s a trade off there. I guess I am just cheap but it kills me to spend like $12 on some replacement blade just because it is specialty. That could be like $50 a year just on Kent scraper blades

[jgln]

Originally posted by BonesCJ
I just use the flat razors that come with the small plastic handle (2 packs for less than 5 bucks) and replace the razor blade every 2 or 3 uses, it takes coraline off with no effort.

Oh, it's not the coraline that is the problem, it's the round patches of green algae I get on the front of my tank. For some reason they seem to embeded into the glass. They will come off though. And they are not scratches, they are round "colonies" that grow outward from the center. They are the same color as the film algae and look exactly like it only more "thicker". And it's not coraline, its soft not hard.

[psteeleb]

new blades have a square edge that round off with use

you can file them flat (square) and they work like new. They file pretty easy and can be filed over and over again. If they get very bent you may need to replace them

[ganjero]

Originally posted by BonesCJ
I just use the flat razors that come with the small plastic handle (2 packs for less than 5 bucks) and replace the razor blade every 2 or 3 uses, it takes coraline off with no effort.

which ones are these? where do you get them?

[jgln]

Originally posted by psteeleb
new blades have a square edge that round off with use

you can file them flat (square) and they work like new. They file pretty easy and can be filed over and over again. If they get very bent you may need to replace them

Thanks, sounds like a good idea. I'm going to try that and hopefully it will work for me.

[DC71763]

I also use the metal blades with the scaper handle and replace mine after 3 or 4 uses. I find it just easier to replace them that fight not having a sharp blade.

[zimm]

You can buy PVC pipe cutto whatever lengths you want then cut approx. A 35 degree angled slit in the end to fit a flat razor blade. You can get a pack of 100 blades for about 10 bucks at any hardware store. For the price you can throw the blades away after each use or save for 2 or 3 uses if you like. I'm yet to encounter anything I can't scrape off with this. And its the first time in this hobby in my experience where the cheapest is the best.

[L98-Z]

I went to home depot and bought those longer razor blades and something to hold it with. It's a few dollars for 10 blades, handle is all plastic.

I always clean the blades with fresh water after using them and dry them off. Keeps them from rusting.

Obviously I have a glass tank as well...

[jgln]

Originally posted by zimm
You can buy PVC pipe cutto whatever lengths you want then cut approx. A 35 degree angled slit in the end to fit a flat razor blade. You can get a pack of 100 blades for about 10 bucks at any hardware store. For the price you can throw the blades away after each use or save for 2 or 3 uses if you like. I'm yet to encounter anything I can't scrape off with this. And its the first time in this hobby in my experience where the cheapest is the best.

Yeah, that is a good idea too. I am glad I brought this up.

[xenon]

Mine always gets bent from droping it on the floor. lol

[jgln]

Originally posted by psteeleb
new blades have a square edge that round off with use

you can file them flat (square) and they work like new. They file pretty easy and can be filed over and over again. If they get very bent you may need to replace them

Wow, last night I sharpened the blade with a stone and it made a huge difference, that stuff I had a hard time with came off much easier and I didn't even really spend much time sharpening. I had no idea there was really an edge to them, just thought it was a piece of metal cut to shape. Thanks!