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Razor Blades
After reading all the posts about the possible damage to glass aquaria from
scraping spot algae with steel razor blades, I decided to try the plastic
blades that James (Western Canada), who used to work in an auto body shop
recommended. As he pointed out, they are available from auto body supply
shops.
I found some, made by AES Industries at (appropriately?), Plant City,
Florida. They have a toll free number, 800-237-1264, so you can,
presumably, find a retailer in your area. The label calls them #9 Plastic
Razor Blade Pack, Stock No. 87605. There were five in a pack for $1.75.
They also come 100 to a box, but I don't think I'll need that many, in this
lifetime, at least.
The plastic blades are virtually identical in shape to steel blades, so I
had no trouble mounting one on the forked stick I had been using. I found
that, because they don't have a steel razor's edge, it may take a couple of
passes at a patch of algae to remove it. But the bottom line is that they
do work, and you can put your mind at ease about scratching the glass. They
are clearly better than sponges in working in the narrow space between
foreground plants and the glass.
Incidentally, I cannot resist quoting the back of the package, which
contains a "Warning: to avoid risk of injury always wear safety glasses and
other appropriate safety items for protection! Failure to do so can result
in bodily injury." I wonder if swimming goggles and water wings would
satisfy these requirements? And, of course, there's another long
paragraph -- all in capital letters -- titled "Limited Warranty. This tool
is warranted to be free from defective material and workmanship. Except for
damage caused by abuse, neglect...blah, blah, blah." What would we do
without lawyers?
John T. Fitch
E-mail: JTFitch at FitchFamily_com
Web Page: www.fitchfamily.com