Reddit's favorite alternatives to Aquarium Filter Brush Set, Flexible Double Ended Bristles Hose Pipe Cleaner with Stainless Steel Long Tube Cleaning Brush and 10 Pcs Different Sizes Bristles Brushes for Fish Tank or Home Kitchen

A toothbrush will work. If it's too stubborn, you can scrape it off the glass with something like this, but ONLY IF your tank is glass, and not acrylic.

https://www.amazon.com/QANVEE-Aluminum-Magnesium-Aquarium-Stainless/dp/B07886LQJ1/

I got mine at my local drugstore in the humidifier section but you can get them online Cleaning fish

Its a 2 piece magnetic glass cleaner that you put on each side of the glass to easily remove algae but you should still look into whats causing the algae

https://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-Aquarium-Cleaning-Magnet-Medium/dp/B004BFGE1Y/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=magnetic+tank+cleaner&qid=1602119712&sr=8-2

For me, razor blade algae scraper for a glass tank, 3-D net for shrimp.

For large tanks with tap water, Python or Aqueon water changer.

I bought some of these and they're VERY useful for potting cactus, or just for making arrangements in general:

Aquarium Tweezers

Pick up a set of these to help you plant. You mostly need the tweezer tools, but the others come in handy and they come in these sets usually. You can go with sand or gravel since those will be easiest to convert without taking out the fish and water et al. Depends on your lighting but even with low light, you can do Crypts, Annubias, Sword, Java Fern, Sagittaria. Stem plants would be ok but will always do better with better, but not needed necessarily. And reds will need iron to stay red.

The Sagulator site can sometimes help figure out weight. I'd skip the algae remover then. And don't forget to pick up something to dechlorinate your tap. I like API Stress Coat but some like Seachem Prime. Here's the set I bought for aquascaping.

This is what I use and is the only thing that does not scratch my glass. https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Scraper-Cleaner-Blades-Aquarium/dp/B01N8PUHKA/ref=asc_df_B01N8PUHKA/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198088359792&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10373728522342148364&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=...

I’ve used the tunze and flipper algae scrapers too.

I have a bow front tank and a simple floating magnet glass algae cleaner works fine. You just have to orient it vertically so only the width of it is across the curve. Obviously you want to pick on that is very long vs width rather than the more wide pads.

Something like this...

https://www.amazon.com/Windbells-Magnetic-Aquarium-Scratch-Free-magnetizing/dp/B07S64G7JQ/

which is only 1.5" wide. You will want to do a little more up/down scrubbing rather than side to side.

For algae stuck to the side… this tool I got on Amazon is a game changer!!

MiguCo Stainless Steel Algae Scraper Cleaner with 10 Blades for Aquarium Fish Plant Glass Tank https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01N8PUHKA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_QTXQ2VQ3VWMAK1V3BXKJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

i have been told this is not only not used in ultrasonic humidifiers, but that it is unsafe for the plants. i have found silver to be a better alternative.

Like this. Applying it at proper angle, not catching the sand, staying away from silicone, using fresh blades.

Not a plug for any specific supplier, but a scraper like this works really well for cleaning the algae off the inside of my glass. Only takes a few minutes to do.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07886LQJ1?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B90BDGE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_2WJX22QDKTVRD9MS8G4M

And a toothbrush - twirl motion. I actually superglued two handles together for added length. Also a turkey baster does well.

here is the set I use. I’ve had the set for almost a year now and they still look brand new.

$15 and you have what you need here. Don't bother with brand new stuff for these.

https://www.amazon.com/Jeeco-Aquarium-Scissor-Tweezers-Spatula/dp/B07C1ZC27D/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=aquascaping+tools&qid=1610455339&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFIOE8xN1RKT0xJUUwmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ...

I got sick of dunking my arm in the tank to scrape, so i bought this and it’s just lovely to use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N8PUHKA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_k0N4FbJYG5Z6Z?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

link

Yeah, pick up an algae glass scraper, and some fish only sponges (I get mine from the dollar store), and cleaning shouldn’t take too long.

Try some rice and water and swirling

Also this purchase isn't worth it if you're only going to use it to clean this one piece, but I'm sure an aquarium magnet cleaning brushes would do something

some of the magnetic scrappers come with a "blade" that helps in scraping off the glass.
like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B90BDGE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You could try using a stiff toothbrush.
otherwise you could move everything over to a bucket and hand scrub it with a coarse sponge.
If you have a bigger tank to move them later otos will clean up glass pretty well, but a six gallon is too small for them long term since they should not ever be alone in a tank and need other otos with them making a six gallon too small.

I bought this scraper from Amazon, and it works really well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07886LQJ1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Keep in mind, it is very sharp. Good luck!

The best way to clean glass is a razor blade. Glass is hard and the razor won't hurt it.

I use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Scraper-Cleaner-Blades-Aquarium/dp/B01N8PUHKA/ref=asc_df_B01N8PUHKA/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198088359792&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9974973108380134235&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqm...

Haha! I read alllll (just about!) the reviews and this is what seemed best and after several years, no rust. I suppose if you left them in water.

It's so funny how I remember thinking the same thing before I found this set that had the best reviews.

Sure, I know it can be hard to plant in gravel sometimes! I got this set ages ago and they're still good, no rust. Worth every penny. You don't really have to have the 2 diff scissors and the spatula type but, you can use the flat of it to do the edging where the gravel meets the glass of the tank to stir it up a bit. But, those tweezers...fabulous for planting in gravel!

I would not get a kit. The kits don't come with enough filtration usually. And sometimes the lighting isn't good for plants either. Go for a 20 long!! That is the best tank, just love it. It's a lot easier to stock than a 10 for sure. I have never done soils because of how they affect pH and other reasons. I use black sand in most. Sometimes I mix it with a black gravel. In 2 tanks I chose to do river gravel but mixed it with sand. I recommend a tool kit for planting like this one. I find the easiest plant to be Sagitarria subulata; it seems to work in different lighting. Whatever plants you get find out what lighting they need first. For what to put in it, if you've not kept fish before, I'd go for something easy. A great bombproof fish is Endlers livebearers, but get all males so you don't have to worry about overpopulation.

Re the filtration, always a good idea to overfilter. Gives leeway for partial water changes and maybe more fish than a light stocking. I have an Aquaclear 50 AND an Aqueon 10 and a sponge filter on my 20 long. Endlers like flow. So, do Microdevario kubotai. I have them in there as well. I wouldn't say they are necessarily easy to acclimate because they are little divas, so dramatic, OMG you moved me, let me lie here and play dead. But, once you have them in, they are easy enough. Other things you could have are a few Amano shrimp. You may like a nice schooling fish like the Emerald Eye rasbora. Use SeriouslyFish.com for basic species info. Make sure to stock schools of at least 6 of the fish I've suggested though if you end up getting them though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017XBGLXI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 This is the set I researched as the best and as long as you don't leave them soaking overnight/days, there will be no rust.

I just got the "Lily's Pet" version from Amazon here. Looks just like the one in the picture. The tweezers and scissors work well.

I suspect the same set is being sold by lots of vendors, they're probably all about the same.

Note: that thing in the middle is a "substrate leveler" or "spatula" apparently. Several Amazon reviews say "I tried to use the algae scraper and it scratched my glass".

I have a kit similar to this, I think I got the 4 tools for $10 somehow.

Tweezers, both large and small, are critical for planting.

Curved scissors help tremendously.

Flexible pipe cleaner for cleaning out all fittings, pipes, filters. Also is great for shooing fish / shrimp out of corners without hurting them.

If you’re lucky enough to live on the west coast, I really recommend a visit to TAP Plastics- they have all the scrapers, tiny containers, large containers, needles, vials, boxes, and spray bottles that you could ever need. Also, every piece is like 37 cents.

With a razor blade, a toothbrush, and a magnet cleaner. I just can't stand algae growth on anything including the back glass, so I like to keep it clean.