people who scrape the back glass!

[cilyjr]

lets hear it for those that scrape the coraline off the back glass.
personally i like the look so much better. my tank felt so much smaller before i started scraping it on a regular basis.
dont for get to post pics!!!!!!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/cilyjr/tank/10-28-09.jpg

[scrapz]

I hate coralline. a clean background makes the corals and fish pop out alot more.

[scapes]

recent shot: after
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j57/chargedtuna/my%20tank/IMG_4032.jpg



past shot: before
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j57/chargedtuna/my%20tank/IMG_2943.jpg

[thedoctor06]

I do. I think it's ugly otherwise

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u300/thedoctor06/reef10-09.jpg

[precko]

I love the clean look, I give mine a scrape once a week with the water-change. Reminded me I need to take the Tunzes out and give them a vinegar bath they don't blend in so well coverd in coralline.

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq271/precko/A5.jpg

[cilyjr]

love seeing them...keep them coming

precko, how many MH bulbs do you have over that tan?

[precko]

love seeing them...keep them coming

precko, how many MH bulbs do you have over that tan?

One single 250w bulb supplemented with 4 x24w t5's :bounce3:, it does a great job.

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq271/precko/A7.jpg

[DetroitCrow]

I never did it on my 75, but I'm going to on my 90, it does help make the fish colors pop as well as everything else...

[gatorchem]

I think the clean back makes the corals pop a little better.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/gatorchem/SW%20fish%20tank/90%20gallon%20build/90%20gal%2010-03-09/IMG_3081.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/gatorchem/SW%20fish%20tank/90%20gallon%20build/90%20gal%2010-03-09/IMG_3084.jpg

[cilyjr]

i think so too. so does my wife...she was the one who 1st suggested it. i have been cleaning the back for about a year now

[danceswithfish]

I scrape the back glass, but I scrape off algea, not coraline lol

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh7/blake374/P1010407.jpg

[cilyjr]

soon you will find the coraline formidable..
is the rubberband for nori for the tangs?
if so see what i did..
aquamend and a clip with no metal and a small piece of lr

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/cilyjr/IMG_6929.jpg

[LobsterOfJustice]

Clean back glass is the only way to go!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/7-14-09fulltank3.jpg

[nukemdanno]

Just say no! To excessive coraline....

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo39/nukemdanno/FullTank11-03-09.jpg

[Flipper62]

I guess so far...I'm going against the grain. I love everything all Natural.

I do a lot of scuba diving. When you dive, there are a lot of things that you see on rocks.....and rock walls....ect...ect.. I like to have my tanks that same way.

If it naturally grows...it grows where ever. So I let it be.

To me.....I want to keep a small piece of the ocean in my home....So I have it.

[wrestle1952]

Noticed the butterfly in the bottom photo. Is that to control aptasia and maranos?

[cilyjr]

nukemdanno has the 1st blue back i have seen that is cleaned !

[BigandUgly]

I clean the front every 2-3 days, the sides every week or two and I leave back alone. I tell people I like the natural look, but in truth I'm really just lazy.

[A sea K]

What a difference a clean back makes. Mine has been covered for so long I never realized how much better it looks when clean.
I got a question for those of you with clean overflows, how in the world do you get the corraline off? Mine are pretty well covered and when I was cleaning the 65 I took down a few months back it took nearly full strength muratic to cut through it. I can't imagine any way to remove it using conventional methods in a full tank.

[Moebuis]

I don't want to clean my back because I'm lazy, but my wife forces me to clean it when it starts getting too many spots of coraline on it. I admit that it does look better, but it's a pain to do.

[nitjt]

I agree its a pain there has to be an easier way.

[nitjt]

I alway manage to knock things down.

[cilyjr]

I got a question for those of you with clean overflows, how in the world do you get the corraline off?
me too? how are you cleaning your overflows?

[sam11909]

Haven't cleaned mine in a month. My coralline grows like crazy!

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv27/sam11909/IMG_9091.jpg?t=1257437138

I do have to admit it looks better clean. When I start adding coral I'll clean it......maybe.

[LUVSPS]

Clean back glass looks so much better IMO. It is a pain in the neck to do though. Sigh.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb3/Mothersweets/IMG_3041.jpg

[cilyjr]

Clean back glass looks so much better IMO. It is a pain in the neck to do though. Sigh.

i like the aquascaping too...


they do make a razor attachment for mag floats that one could use to do the back..if you had access to the back of your tank that is

[JStraz4991]

how do u scrape the coraline off?

[LobsterOfJustice]

I have an open aquascape and space on the sides of the tank, I just mag-float the bag just like the other three sides...

[cilyjr]

i use a razor....
http://windshieldrepairsupplies.com/Store/images/uploads/razor-holder.jpg

[epleeds]

easy blade and my tunze magnet.

[cilyjr]

lets see more pics!!!

[lamarine23]

Here u go...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=187&pictureid=940

[jbird69]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC09460.jpg

[Chihuahua6]

I love it. I hate coralline crust on tanks. For a little extra time it so worth it to have clean panes all around.

[chem-e]

The clean glass definitely looks better and adds another dimension. I give you guys props for taking the time to clean the back because I find it hard enough just to clean the sides.

I do like the clean glass though and what I've done is buy a piece of precut black acrylic that I attach to the back wall with magnets. When the acrylic gets covered in coraline, I flip it around and it lasts for a while longer. After both sides are covered, I plan to take it out to clean with my pumps in a vinegar bath.

[A sea K]

me too? how are you cleaning your overflows?

I guess they don't want to give up their secret.

[cilyjr]

i guess not...

[cilyjr]

the overflow is probably easier to have kept clean from the beginning rather then try to get that off...maybe a scraper for an acrylic tank

[LUVSPS]

I just never let my overflow get covered in the first place so it hasn't been very much trouble to clean. I just scrape it off with a Kent razor.

[A sea K]

well if thats the case then I'm way past that point.
I may scrape the glass and see how it looks but I have a feeling the two corraline covered overflows will really take away from the look.

[cilyjr]

lmaybe the scraper for acrylic

[cilyjr]

lamarine23, do you have black sand?

[stanlalee]

overflow box could use a little scraping though. I use a long handle kent metal blade scraper. works great as long as the blade is fresh.

http://dubfidub.homestead.com/30gallonsetup140.jpg

[lamarine23]

Yeah I do....it's actually a mix of black and regular oolite sand by Carib Sea.

[ReefKeeperRob]

There are some really nice tanks in this thread:eek1: I really like the rock work on luvsps's tank. I'm definitely a fan of the clean back glass. I wish I would have put some black window tint on the back of my tank before I set it up. Can't access it now.

[64Ivy]

Before

http://www.moyesreef.com/uploads/Sept-Reeftank-09-Before.jpg


After (One month later)

http://www.moyesreef.com/uploads/Sept-Reeftank-09-After.jpg

[A sea K]

Is that a Chromis in the center of the before pic? If it is, he's HUGE!

[Rich_Lucas]

I have an 8ft wide acrylic tank that's 4 inches from the wall. How would I go about even trying to clean the back?

[skiformance]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i310/faustZ28/lil%20figi/IMG_2000.jpg

[jhildebrand]

The difference in contrast is amazing. It's the only way to go for a nice clean look. Easy Blade makes it a snap to do. Really no excuse not to do it...

[Bonsai Boi]

wow, after seeing everyone's pics, i might take the plunge too

[Ocean Mang]

Before

http://www.moyesreef.com/uploads/Sept-Reeftank-09-Before.jpg


After (One month later)

http://www.moyesreef.com/uploads/Sept-Reeftank-09-After.jpg

I notice in your second picture some of your corals are browned out and some look a lot less colorful. Is it just the camera?

[64Ivy]

I notice in your second picture some of your corals are browned out and some look a lot less colorful. Is it just the camera?

Yep. Exposure error.

[cilyjr]

ty for the before and after...it really illustrates how your corals stand out....Before

http://www.moyesreef.com/uploads/Sept-Reeftank-09-Before.jpg


After (One month later)

http://www.moyesreef.com/uploads/Sept-Reeftank-09-After.jpg

[indydog1]

what about using a urchin? i heard they eat coral line algae.

[cilyjr]

the one i have barely makes a dent in the coraline on a 20l so i doubt it would do much to my 90

[Denadai]

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7100/nano25out.jpg

[André Silvestre]

+1 in the scrapper club:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Aquarium_Naturae/Reef%20112L/54270b77.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Aquarium_Naturae/Reef%20112L/574a8c3b.jpg


Regards,
André

[sminker]

Im enjoying the clean look....

http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww265/sminker/_MG_3858.jpg

http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww265/sminker/_MG_3879.jpg

[cilyjr]

great. keep 'em coming

[blumoon reefers]

Can we join the clean club? Hubby cleans the back 2x a week with a very long handled scraper.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee34/blmntwo/015-1.jpg

[cilyjr]

Im enjoying the clean look....


lol you have the korila/ maxijetmod look too..just like me

[cilyjr]

Can we join the clean club?

welcome aboard

[Lazylivin]

Scrape is the way to go.

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr227/lazylivin/2009-06-23185.jpg

[Mitchell_2004]

I just cover the back :)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/Mitchell_2004/Picture008.jpg

[cilyjr]

I just cover the back :)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c118/Mitchell_2004/Picture008.jpg
this tank has been running for a while? have you always kept the overflows clean?

[Mitchell_2004]

The tank was runniing for 2 years, then I had a battle with HA that I lost.. :( And i dunno why the overflows were clean.. Cause i didn't clean them.. lol

[cilyjr]

anybody else cleaning the back?

[nanokeeper]

I'd have it no other way. :dance:

Edit - Just recently removed the corals growing on the back glass too. Even cleaner now.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk273/pthunell/IMG_0567.jpg

[gatorchem]

I'd have it no other way. :dance:

Edit - Just recently removed the corals growing on the back glass too. Even cleaner now.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk273/pthunell/IMG_0567.jpg


Man that tank looks really familiar :lol2:

[DLANDINO]

here is mine

[1904]

my rock reaches the top of my tank some is sticking out of the water. I envy you guys,

[Fisher72]

You guys are killing looks like I have some cleaning to do this weekend. I'm sold.

[spleify]

I have one tank that I clean the back glass on everytime I use the magnet cleaner on the other panels and one that I let grow.

I definitely like the look of the clean back

[NKYdude]

i don't really have any way to do it...

u guys know what i can use as far as magnets go to do it that won't scrape the black paint off the back?

i have a calfo overflow and its really tough to get under it with the LR where it is...

[spleify]

+1 in the scrapper club:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Aquarium_Naturae/Reef%20112L/54270b77.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/Aquarium_Naturae/Reef%20112L/574a8c3b.jpg


Regards,
André

Very nice clean looking set up!

[Tswifty]

Scraper here as well

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/Vodka%20Dosing/FTS_11232009.jpg

[Falconeer]

Man, those tanks all look so good! If I had to scrape, I definately would. It's not old enough to have picked up any coralline yet (I think--otherwise, am I doing something wrong?)

[iceman79]

Same here im just getting green film algae and some red my tanks only a month old i moved and had to set it up again i wanna clean the back of mine but it always mucks up the water i dont know if thats safe for my livestock so i stop. But i never seen so many nice tanks in a thread rimless tanks are sick im gonna have to get me one nice work everyone this thread should be called eye candy!

[spleify]

u guys know what i can use as far as magnets go to do it that won't scrape the black paint off the back?

The back of mine is painted too, and I just use my standard magfloat cleaner, no issues yet

[Falconeer]

Same here im just getting green film algae and some red my tanks only a month old i moved and had to set it up again i wanna clean the back of mine but it always mucks up the water i dont know if thats safe for my livestock so i stop. But i never seen so many nice tanks in a thread rimless tanks are sick im gonna have to get me one nice work everyone this thread should be called eye candy!

I get that green film algae too. I just clean it off and the filter picks up any floating bits. I don't think it's bad in terms of being in the tank (which is why I don't care if it winds up in my filter), I just don't like seeing all this green algae on my tank walls.

I'm getting what I think is Macro algae growing on my LR though..that's a bit frustrating because nothings eating it (not that I have anything other than Hermits to do so, haha!)

[laud]

My friend MADE me clean the glass in the back. I only do the center now and justify it by telling myself it gives the perception of depth in the center, like a pathway to the abyss. LOL

I do love the way the corals no longer disappear into the coralline.

http://www.exoticaquatic.com/images/IMG_0027.JPG

[phobos2deimos]

I'm a fan of clean glass.

[Ph0ton]

Its a pain, but it makes the tank look much better IMO.

[cilyjr]

i have upgraded my system to a 180 in wall but still believe that i want a clean back. i am keeping up on the acrylic overflow and have removable rear black plastic panels to make scraping the back easier. here is a current shot

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z43/cilyjr/tank/5-06-10.jpg