Used Scotch Brite sponge to clean tank glass

Hi everyone. So we just did our monthly full tank clean. 25% water change once a week. Then a full tank + 25% water change once a month

we used a new scotch Brite sponge (green on one side yellow on the other) to clean the glass. We have a half moon tank so we can’t use our mag cleaner on this tank

we noticed the sponge was a little foamy when we were squeezing the water out And looked online to see that these sponges are not safe for aquarium use. These are not pre-soaped sponges. But I’m reading that they contain anti bacterial agents and detergents.

Did we just poison our fish? 5 mollies and 1 Chinese algae eater.

Immediately after reading this we did a 50% rather than 25% water change

Any opinions on this? Are the fish safe? Should we continue with small water changes for the week?

also, any recommendations for cleaning the glass on a half moon tank? Since you can’t really use a mag cleaner due to the curvature of the glass

 

I would do a few more 50% changes to be on a safer side.

I find those aquarium scrubbers on a handle work quite well on my bowfronts.

 

The big box pet stores sell aquarium safe long handled sponge scrubbers.
I bought a big MagFloat last week & saw the array of Petsmart sponge scrubbers. The prices ranged from $7 - $14. Much cheaper than the MagFloat.

 

yeah you have to be careful with picking the scrubbers.
I don't buy mine from markets and cleaning supplies. I get mine online and just cheap ones in bulk that are more for parts cleaning use.
Those name brand ones, scotch, 3M almost certainly have been treated and why they cost more.

Although, I put a corner of new ones in my mouth on my tongue after I buy them to check. If nothing changes, it's aquarium safe. If my mouth goes dry or has a flavor to it like chalk. it's been treated with antimicrobial or anti mildew or other detergents. only takes a second to find out. However I get people not wanting to "taste" a green scrubby.

Same goes for sponges. Avoid the cellulose ones, those are going to break down and deteriorate. ( how to tell cellulose/natural,,,,, the sponge holes are different sizes, while the synthetic ones are really uniformand holes are all the same)

Mouth test before use, the cellulose ones are usually treated and will dry out your mouth immediately and taste really dry and chalky. if no change it's fine. They treat the cellulose ones to make them last longer, the microbes and bacteria will break them down quickly without the treatment so they do it to make them last longer and smell better cellulose is great for bacteria.

I got these last time, they were fine no additives. Its Synthetic fiber and doesn't get stinky or hold bacteria, and they get softer the more you use them to like a felt texture once broken in like the magnet algae scrapers have.
https://www.amazon.com/YoleShy-Scouring-Scrubber-Household-Scrubbers/dp/B07ZJ5YRP9/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1Q51VKT8A6L7E&keywords=ypleshy+40+pcs+scouring+pad+4x6&qid=1688994079&sprefix=ypleshy+40+pcs+souring+pad+4x6,aps,93&sr=8-2
40 for $16.99, 4x6: cut them all in half to 2x3" for fingertip use and tight spots, put one 4x6" in my worn out scrubby brush with a rubber band and it's back in action..... gonna last me forever. I get 6 months or longer out of one before holes start happening to them and it's worn out.
They are firm at first. Just let the scrubber do the work and use it lightly first, and as it wears in you'll want/need to press harder but it will be far softer by then and even less likely to scratch glass.

 

I use these, and they work great if you don't mind getting your hands/arms wet. They can also be used as biomedia in your filter, especially since after several uses, the scrubbers kind of fall apart depending on how hard you need to scrub.

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Scru...-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1