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#1
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Using paper towels in the reef tank....
Every 3-4 or so I get a film on my glass. When I try to us the scrapping sponge it flakes off, and then sticks right back to the glass. But when I use the paper towel I can get it out nicely.
I've been using the paper towels for about 4-5 months, but never really thought about the side effects if any. They are normal, plain white, none printed paper towels. Anything I should worry about...nitrates, phosphates, chemicals, etc. Alex |
#2
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I dont think anyone could rightly tell you yes or no, simply because we have no idea whats in each brand of paper towel. I wouldn't just in case. For the most part its just pulp and adhesive, but you never know. The most immediate issue I could foresee would be leached phosphates. Any algae issues in the time you've used them?
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"Quitting smoking is easy, I've done it a thousand times." -Samuel Clemens |
#3
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Maybe you can find out what this film on your glass is (nothing I've heard off. I've heard of film on the surface of the water though.) and find a way to prevent it from coming back each time. Then you wouldn't need paper towels =)
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-Ant |
#4
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Couldn't tell you...with the rowaphos I have undetactable phosphate, and the only thing growing algae in the tank is my fugem and the outlet nozzle from my return. Nitrates were around 10ppm recently, but I did not do my usual week w-change. Any suggestions on cleaning the glass without having wash 1,000 cotton towels?
Alex |
#5
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I work for a paper company, so my understanding is that most standard paper towels are simply that, processed wood pump that has been adhesed together into a multiple ply structure. The fibers are bleached to get them white, but I don't believe that you would get any leaching from that. Phosphates are a potential, but I don't know for certain. Because careful and don't use printed paper towels - the ink (and maybe the adhesive) will probably be toxic.
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Craig & Holly 1-75g FW Planted 1-55g African Cichlid 1-125g w/ 4 turts 1-75g RR Reef 1-12g NC Mantis, 1-12g AP Brittle Star 2-cats 2-dogs (1 Catahoula Leopard Mix & 1 Shepherd Mix) |
#6
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Only the people who have big balls use paper towels in their tank...
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#7
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haha. I use a paper towel after i use the scraper. never had any problems
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#8
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I have the same problem i get like a brown/black film across it and just use a kitchen dish scrubber to get it off
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#9
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To clean the inside of the tank? What a PITA. Get a MagFloat glass cleaner!
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#10
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Magfloats dont work on the film - well mine doesn;t
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#11
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Oh, I think I know what you are talking about. I get some filmy spots in areas of high flow. I think it's the start of coralline algae. I just run a razor blade around the top edge near the return every so often and it comes right off (glass tank).
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#12
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#13
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#14
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Yeah, I use a plastic rod (part of a coat hanger) with a piece of dish sponge glued to the end to scrape hard-to-reach spots where the magfloat can't reach.
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#15
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Dish sponges say "not for aquarium use" right on the package. I would stay away from using that.
As far as the film, everyone gets the film. It is diotoms and algae. Your water quality, mainly nitrates, decide how quickly the film builds up. As far as using a mag-float, what a time consuming waste. It does nothing against the hard green "dot algae, and you have to slide back and forth for hours to get all the film off the glass. I'd rather get my had wet, usually hand feed my fish at the same time. Alex |
#16
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#17
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#18
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Thats ok to use then as long as you didn't wash dishes with it. :-)
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