The best aquarium magnet glass cleaners for 2026
A magnet cleaner lets you scrub algae off the inside of the glass without wet sleeves — you move the outer half, the inner half follows. These are the magnets we rate, matched to how thick your glass is so the hold stays strong.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I stop a magnet cleaner scratching the glass?
Grit trapped under the pad is the usual culprit. Keep the cleaner away from the substrate, and if it picks up sand, rinse the pad before carrying on. Never drag it across the bottom trim, and choose a magnet rated for your glass thickness so it doesn't drift.
What glass thickness can these handle?
Each magnet is rated for a maximum glass thickness — go over it and the hold weakens or the halves separate. Small nano magnets suit thin 5–8 mm panes, while stronger models grip the thicker glass on tanks of 200 litres and up. Always check the rating first.
Magnet cleaner or algae scraper — which do I need?
They complement each other. A magnet handles routine soft-algae film with no wet hands, while a bladed scraper tackles stubborn spots and hard coralline or green-spot algae a magnet skips over. Many keepers own both and reach for the magnet day to day.
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