Safe Sponge for tank wipe-downs?

[Tankster]

I have been using the small sponges sold at Petco/PetSmart for my wipe-downs. They are tiny, inefficient and relatively expensive, so I have been looking for something a bit larger.
Most sponges are not aquarium safe and have a warning imprinted on the label. It is usually due to some antibacterial additive in the sponge.

I came across these at Home Depot the other day and am encouraged. They are under $3.00 each.

I soaked for 24 hours and have done 3 rinses in water as hot as my tap will put out. I am going to use them Sunday to do my wipe-down.

Does anyone have experience with these?

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[brewmaster15]

HI GREG..No experience there. I just use a good paper towel or a clean cotton rag... if I was going to use a sponge I might consider natural sponges...but paper Towels usually are all I need .For driftwood I use nylon scrubbies.
hth,
al

[rickztahone]

I had one of these sponges left over from a filter I sold and have used it for a really long time:
http://angelfins.ca/images/eh_white_2215.jpg

With that being said, I have used quite a few sponges like the one you have posted in the past with no problems. I will say this though, that sponge does look like it doesn't have much give though. Reminds me of some sponges I have used in the past to wash my car.

I always look for sponges that look more like microfiber material as opposed to the one you linked to just because I have actually scratched my car with those type of sponges and didn't want to risk scratching my tank. With the white sponge I linked to above, they work just as a paper towel would.

Word of caution, I have seen these "new" paper towels that have soap integrated in to the towel. You want to avoid these at all cost.

[Larry Bugg]

I have always just used a scotch brite scrubbing sponge.

[Kingdom Come Discus]

When I had my fish room, I used a swimming pool type sponge to wipe down the tanks. I got it a Jehmco. When John, (from Jehmco), recommended this product I was skeptical. I put a short handle on it, and at 4x12 inches along with the swivel head it made tank cleaning very fast. I could wipe a 75 down well under a minute.

[blueluv]

When I had my fish room, I used a swimming pool type sponge to wipe down the tanks. I got it a Jehmco. When John, (from Jehmco), recommended this product I was skeptical. I put a short handle on it, and at 4x12 inches along with the swivel head it made tank cleaning very fast. I could wipe a 75 down well under a minute.
Is this the one Kraig ?

http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/espiritudentrimi80/Mobile%20Uploads/28F2C1F2-DD8C-4D9A-AB50-222E5CE24734_zpsdgtshclz.jpg (http://s357.photobucket.com/user/espiritudentrimi80/media/Mobile%20Uploads/28F2C1F2-DD8C-4D9A-AB50-222E5CE24734_zpsdgtshclz.jpg.html)

[SNap0283]

Ive always used the sponge piece of a large aqua clear filter they get the job done fast and never need to question if its safe, not to mention inexpensive.

[Chaz88]

I have used sponges similar to the OP's with no problems. I also use Scotch Bright sponges and the kind of scrubbies many people use for bio media in sumps. I just make sure none of them are ever used for anything but tanks and have never had problems.

[MKD]

I use filter pad since i have sump and buy filter pad in bulk cut the way i want.

[Tankster]

Reporting back after having cleaned the 75. All I can say is WOW! I am heading to HomeDepot to stock up on these. Wipe down took less than 5 minutes. The sponge is very plyable and gets into the corners easily.

This one is a winner!

~Greg

[John_Nicholson]

I always just grab a washrag and wipe them down.

-john

[MKD]

Which way you find it easier to wipe down
when tank still fill with water or drain water?

[blueluv]

Reporting back after having cleaned the 75. All I can say is WOW! I am heading to HomeDepot to stock up on these. Wipe down took less than 5 minutes. The sponge is very plyable and gets into the corners easily.

This one is a winner!

~Greg
Which sponge are you referring to ? Can you post a pic ?

[blueluv]

Which way you find it easier to wipe down
when tank still fill with water or drain water?

Good point

[Kingdom Come Discus]

Is this the one Kraig ?

http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/espiritudentrimi80/Mobile%20Uploads/28F2C1F2-DD8C-4D9A-AB50-222E5CE24734_zpsdgtshclz.jpg (http://s357.photobucket.com/user/espiritudentrimi80/media/Mobile%20Uploads/28F2C1F2-DD8C-4D9A-AB50-222E5CE24734_zpsdgtshclz.jpg.html)
No, that's not the one. I think you may have to ask for this one. I just dug it out of a85490 box.

[blueluv]

No, that's not the one. I think you may have to ask for this one. I just dug it out of a85490 box.

Cool. Jehmco sells them ? It looks like it will scratch the glass ?

[Larry Bugg]

No, that's not the one. I think you may have to ask for this one. I just dug it out of a85490 box.



Algae scrubber pad with swivel handle adapter. Does not include the handle extension and I don't see the handle listed. You will probably have to ask for that.




http://www.jehmco.com/html/maintenance_equipment.html

[Larry Bugg]

I just talked with Jehmco and they don't have the short handle only a 6' handle. Kraig, what size handle do you have on it? I guess I could get the 6' and cut it down?

[rickztahone]

Get a swiffer sweeper and bam, you got yourself the same contraption, just don't use the swiffer pads!

[blueluv]

Kraig
Will the algae scrubber you posted scratch the aquarium?

[Kingdom Come Discus]

The pad will not scratch glass. But if you were to get some sand in it I think it would. I used a 1 inch pvc pipe from lowes. Not schedule 40 though. The thin wall pipe is what works best. I had to drill two small holes for the spring loaded pins. I hope this helps.

Larry, I believe I did get the 6' handle but I think I used two handles. One much longer then in my picture for my 150s and 220s.

[Tankster]

Which sponge are you referring to ? Can you post a pic ?

The first post in this thread has 3 pics of the sponge and packaging :)


Good point
I usually siphon out large debris and bring the tank down 1/4 from full. Helps keep me from splashing water all over the place.