The list of the best tools for working in your aquarium
To work in an aquarium, five families of tools are enough: glass cleaner, siphon, plant tweezers and scissors, net, and water tests. Choose according to your tank and the task at hand rather than by brand. This list is not a ranking: we have not conducted a comparative test. It indicates what is truly useful, based on product sheet data.
One tool per task
Most tasks are repeated: cleaning a pane of glass, changing some of the water, removing a dead leaf, catching a fish, checking a parameter. By having the right tool at hand, you can intervene more often and more gently, with less water on the floor and less stress for the tank's inhabitants.
In a small tank, a versatile kit covers the essentials. The Aquatool Superfish combines plant tweezers, a net, a scrubbing sponge, a rake, and a scraper blade. The Nano Aquatool offers four functions for small aquariums. The Aquatool XL adds a 50 to 74 cm telescopic handle, useful for large tanks.
For the glass
Two main solutions exist.
- The magnetic cleaner. It is used without getting your hands wet, with one part in the water and the other outside. Choose the size according to the thickness of your glass: the JBL Floaty range offers several sizes, as well as versions with a blade for thick glass.
- The handled glass cleaner. The JBL Blanki Set has a 45 cm aluminum handle. Its product sheet indicates that it does not contain a razor blade, that it does not rust, and that it is suitable for curved glass.
Caution. The Blanki product sheet specifies that it is not suitable for plastic glass and that its pad should not touch the sand. The same caution applies to a magnet: a grain of sand caught in the pad scratches the glass. On an acrylic aquarium, such as the biOrb, use a tool designed for this material. Our article on scratches on a biOrb will help you if damage has been done.
Clean the glass before siphoning. Anything that falls to the bottom will thus be removed with the water change. To understand why deposits return, read how to clean algae in an aquarium.
For the bottom and water
The siphon removes water and waste from the bottom at the same time. The bell passes through the sand or gravel, and the hose goes down to a bucket placed lower than the tank. We recommend replacing 20 to 25% of the water per week. Our guide how to change the water in an aquarium details the process.
Keep a bucket reserved for the aquarium, never used with a household product. On sand, hold the bell just above the surface so it is not sucked in.
Aquatool SuperfishCleaning kit: tweezers, net, sponge, rake, and blade.View productJBL Blanki SetGlass cleaner with a 45 cm handle, for glass only.View productAqua Syphon Set SuperfishManual siphon for water changes and the bottom.View productJBL CombiFix46 cm plastic tweezers for plants and small objects.View product
For plants and fish
Tweezers. They are used for planting, removing a dead leaf, or retrieving a fallen object. The JBL CombiFix measures 46 cm, with a grooved end for a better grip. The SF Inox is 27 cm, which is enough for a shallow tank. Choose a length greater than the height of your tank.
Scissors. A clean cut damages the stem less. The JBL ProScape Tool S 20 wave, with a double curve, measures 20 cm and reaches hard-to-access plants. The SF Inox plant scissors are 25 cm. Rinse them after use.
Net. Choose one wider than the fish. The Sera large mesh 20 cm has a 30 cm handle and is suitable for small fish. For a stressed fish, guide it gently toward the net rather than chasing it. In a small tank, two nets make the task easier: one to guide, one to catch.
In what order to equip yourself?
Add the tests as soon as you fill the tank. Test strips provide a quick reference. To choose, see which test for a freshwater aquarium. You can also send us your readings via the water analysis service.
Store your tools together, next to the tank or in the cabinet, with a cloth. When everything is within reach, a little maintenance can be done without thinking about it.
Tool hygiene and maintenance
Aquarium water is not sterile. The Merck Veterinary Manual reminds us that a mycobacterium can cause a skin infection in humans and advises washing your hands after any intervention in an aquarium. The American CDC recommends wearing gloves, especially with an open wound or rough rocks, and avoiding emptying the water into the kitchen sink when possible.
It also advises against children under 5 cleaning the tank, and asks immunocompromised people to entrust this task to someone else if possible. See a doctor if a wound becomes red, hot, or painful, and mention the aquarium. Our article on diseases related to aquariums provides more details.
After use, rinse the tools with the used tank water or with clean water, without soap. Let them dry and replace a worn pad or a torn net.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most useful tool for an aquarium?
The siphon, because it is used for every water change and for cleaning the bottom. Next come the glass cleaner and the water tests.
Can you use a kitchen sponge on an aquarium?
Use a tool reserved for the tank instead. A kitchen sponge can retain product residue, and one side that is too abrasive can mark certain surfaces.
What cleaner for an acrylic aquarium?
Choose a model indicated for acrylic, such as the JBL Floaty Mini Acrylic/Glass. According to its product sheet, the JBL Blanki is not suitable for plastic glass.
Should tools be disinfected between two tanks?
Rinse and dry them after each use. If a tank has had a disease, keep its tools separate: a wet tool can easily pass from one tank to another.
Why does this article not provide a ranking?
We have not conducted a comparative test. We prefer to indicate what each tool is used for and the data from its product sheet.
Don't know which size is right for your tank? Give us its dimensions.
Contact an advisor
Sources and references
Last updated: November 4, 2026.
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