Cleaning Acrylic Tank?? Tough ALgae

MatthewLaw · 12/09/2009, 06:30 PM

Greetings All- I have some tough algae on my acrylic tank. How can I remove it? If can get streaks of it gone with my nail but otherwise ones of those magnetic cleaners isn't strong enough.

What about a razor blade? my concern is this is an acrylic tank which can scratch easily.

Thanks!

DEERE G · 12/09/2009, 06:42 PM

Kent Marine plastic scraper.

MatthewLaw · 12/09/2009, 06:45 PM

nice. thanks for the recommendation

albano · 12/09/2009, 06:49 PM

another piece of acrylic will easily remove coraline, do not use razor blades

MatthewLaw · 12/09/2009, 06:50 PM

will another piece of acrylic scratch the aquarium?

DEERE G · 12/09/2009, 07:03 PM

I have also witnessed a credit card used to clean acrylic. That also seemed to work well.

albano · 12/09/2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewLaw

will another piece of acrylic scratch the aquarium?

NO...another RC member advised me of this trick, and it works great!

My 450g acrylic build
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/...fish-free.html

MatthewLaw · 12/09/2009, 07:07 PM

oh cool. i will try that.

troylee · 12/09/2009, 09:47 PM

All the things mentioned above will scratch the inside of a acrylic tank...the best thing to use is the white scraper pads and elbow grease....the kents scraper does some damage....I learned this after I drained my big tank...the scratches are invisible when it has water in it but the minute you drain it be prepared....hth..

MatthewLaw · 12/09/2009, 09:49 PM

what white scraper pads?

albano · 12/09/2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troylee

the scratches are invisible when it has water in it but the minute you drain it be prepared....

Am I missing something? If the tank turns purple without water in it, who cares? "the scratches are invisible when it has water in it"
FWIW, I have used acrylic 'scrapers' on empty tanks (as well as full), covered in coraline, which are NOW filled with water, and they look great

troylee · 12/09/2009, 11:50 PM

not here to argue...just state facts... i do acrylic for a living and i try my best to give the best advice i can.....with that said it is'nt a big deal if there is water in it but what about down the road when you go to sell it???? when you drain the tank and it is scratched to crap????then it comes to a very big deal....a tank worth a grand is now worthless to most, when they walk up on a tank, and it is full of scratches....just my 2..... these work best...
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4063

terri_ann · 12/10/2009, 04:23 AM

+1 troylee...I have a 90's acrylic tank. Only use acrylic scrubber pads (white) and elbow grease. Once cleaned, use an acrylic mag float daily ;-)

mkenny1818 · 12/10/2009, 12:50 PM

NO on a RAZOR!!!!!! yep the red kent marine blades work well. Also the old style handle with a white acrylic pads work well with some effort.. just be careful about a piece of sand getting in there.. you wont even notice it until its to late

squidy3 · 12/10/2009, 12:52 PM

Plastic on plastic...

hebygb · 12/10/2009, 08:04 PM

I have used both the red plastic scrapers as well as the white pads. Both work.... but I agree with Troylee... use the pads, then be more regular with the magnet cleaner.

Amp2020 · 12/10/2009, 10:04 PM

I'd love to see someone clean the back of my coraline algae covered tank with nothing more than a white scrubber pad. If I had a 150 gallon tank there is no way that I'd even consider using a white pad instead of an acrylic scrapper.

Make it easier on yourself. Use an acrylic scrapper for now and buy a buffer and some Novus before trying to sell it. A 75-120 gallon tank can have those fine scratches removed in about 1-3 hours with a car buffer and Novus compound. Don't make this harder than it needs to be.

troylee · 12/10/2009, 10:41 PM

with regular tank maintence its a piece of cake....if you let it get out of hand then it becomes problematic....when i drain tanks i soak them in vinegar and blast with the hose it all comes off no need for scrubbing...

mcoomer · 12/11/2009, 08:55 AM

I use an algae free Tiger Shark magnet with the white pad on the interior magnet and a microfiber cloth under the exterior magnet. I also have a sandpaper kit that I bought from algae free that attaches to the inside magnet and can be used to remove scratches without draining the water. Grits run from 1500 up to 6000 and I no longer have a single spot of algae on the inside of the tank. No scratches either. Kit costs $55 and comes with 4 1500 grit pads and 2 1800, 2400, 3200, 3600, 4000, and 6000 grit pads. I just finished doing the entire front pane of my tank and it looks great. I plan on keeping it that way by running the magnet with the white pad to remove algae and the6000 grit pad to polish as necessary.

Mike

saf1 · 12/11/2009, 09:56 AM

I think it was Troylee that gave the single best piece of advise so far and that is to honestly stay "REGULAR" on your "TANK MAINTENCE". Speaking from experience here on both "irregular tank maintence" and acrylic equals scratches, more work, and total frustration.

If you have a sand bottom then you REALLY need to be careful as pointed out above. The white pads several people pointed out already along with weekly maintence you shouldn't have any issues. Just allow yourself plenty of time to work around whatever substraight you have so you don't get anything caught in the pad. Same with any magnets you may use. My nephew in his younger days played with mine and got some sand in between which scratched my tank majorly

It happens.

Amp2020 · 12/11/2009, 11:10 PM

Keeping up with regular tank maintenance is great advice but are you suggesting that some of us are not staying on top of it? Every setup is different and I've seen great tanks that grow tuff algae in LESS than a week. So doing regular maintenance is not a very helpful piece of advice. Once the algae starts to grow, some people are left with the question of how to clean it. Razors and metal scrappers will leave visible scratches but plastic/acrylic scrappers won't. Even scrubbing pads can cause scratches if sand gets stuck in it. Here's how I do it. Take a small piece of acrylic and cut an edge straight. Then use a belt sander to smooth it perfectly flat. This scrapper is used to remove the tuff green algae and coraline algae. The easy to remove type can be delt with a white pad but I never get close to the sand bottom. Instead I use a toothbrush. Have never had any visible scratches by using this method. Yes there are scratches that can be seen if the tank is drained but my tanks normally have water in them.

terri_ann · 12/13/2009, 11:28 PM

I don't think anyone was or is trying to imply that someone is lax in doing tank maintenance. Those that are surely know who they are and will either just live with it or spend more of their time maintaining their tank when they decide to do it.

Personally with my 135 acrylic tank that I've had since the early 1990's, I always used the white acrylic scrubbers. After the invention of the mag floats, this is what I have used. Every day before I feed my tankmates, I use the mag float taking about 2 minutes to go over the sides and front. I then use the long handled acrylic scrubber for the back side; about another 2 minutes. I haven't had problems with hard algae ever because of my short daily routine....end of story

mcoomer · 12/14/2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terri_ann

I don't think anyone was or is trying to imply that someone is lax in doing tank maintenance.

I'll say it....YOU'RE ALL A BUNCH OF SLACKERS! There, I said it!

Mike

tangdiver · 12/14/2009, 10:44 AM

Scraperite plastic razor blades.....cheap....

MatthewLaw · 12/14/2009, 11:43 AM

I will need to try the acrylic scraper or plastic razor blade b/c the standard marineland scrapper is not getting the algae off. the only way i can get it off is with my nail and that takes awhile to even get small portions done...

12/09/2009, 06:30 PM	#1
MatthewLaw Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Coast US Posts: 1,564	Cleaning Acrylic Tank?? Tough ALgae Greetings All- I have some tough algae on my acrylic tank. How can I remove it? If can get streaks of it gone with my nail but otherwise ones of those magnetic cleaners isn't strong enough. What about a razor blade? my concern is this is an acrylic tank which can scratch easily. Thanks!

12/09/2009, 06:42 PM	#2
DEERE G Passing Through Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ATL Posts: 1,503	Kent Marine plastic scraper. __________________ -Keith- Current Tank Info: DRY

12/09/2009, 06:49 PM	#4
albano SALTWATER since '73 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Katonah, NY/ San Fernando Ca./ Sea Isle City NJ Posts: 6,210	another piece of acrylic will easily remove coraline, do not use razor blades __________________ ______________________________________ Jan. '11 TOTM Manhattan Reefs Current Tank Info: 500g & 200g acrylic DTs/2 separate reef systems

12/09/2009, 07:03 PM	#6
DEERE G Passing Through Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ATL Posts: 1,503	I have also witnessed a credit card used to clean acrylic. That also seemed to work well. __________________ -Keith- Current Tank Info: DRY

12/10/2009, 04:23 AM	#13
terri_ann Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 841	+1 troylee...I have a 90's acrylic tank. Only use acrylic scrubber pads (white) and elbow grease. Once cleaned, use an acrylic mag float daily ;-) __________________ Happy Reefing!! :) Current Tank Info: 180g mixed 40B Anemone 5' raceway frag tank

12/09/2009, 06:45 PM	#3
MatthewLaw Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Coast US Posts: 1,564	nice. thanks for the recommendation

12/09/2009, 06:50 PM	#5
MatthewLaw Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Coast US Posts: 1,564	will another piece of acrylic scratch the aquarium?

12/09/2009, 07:07 PM	#8
MatthewLaw Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Coast US Posts: 1,564	oh cool. i will try that.

12/09/2009, 09:47 PM	#9
troylee Moved On Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: here. Posts: 2,509	All the things mentioned above will scratch the inside of a acrylic tank...the best thing to use is the white scraper pads and elbow grease....the kents scraper does some damage....I learned this after I drained my big tank...the scratches are invisible when it has water in it but the minute you drain it be prepared....hth..

12/09/2009, 09:49 PM	#10
MatthewLaw Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Coast US Posts: 1,564	what white scraper pads?

12/09/2009, 11:50 PM	#12
troylee Moved On Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: here. Posts: 2,509	not here to argue...just state facts... i do acrylic for a living and i try my best to give the best advice i can.....with that said it is'nt a big deal if there is water in it but what about down the road when you go to sell it???? when you drain the tank and it is scratched to crap????then it comes to a very big deal....a tank worth a grand is now worthless to most, when they walk up on a tank, and it is full of scratches....just my 2..... these work best... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4063

12/10/2009, 12:50 PM	#14
mkenny1818 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 84	NO on a RAZOR!!!!!! yep the red kent marine blades work well. Also the old style handle with a white acrylic pads work well with some effort.. just be careful about a piece of sand getting in there.. you wont even notice it until its to late

12/10/2009, 12:52 PM	#15
squidy3 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 54	Plastic on plastic...

12/10/2009, 08:04 PM	#16
hebygb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Elmhurst, IL Posts: 2,207	I have used both the red plastic scrapers as well as the white pads. Both work.... but I agree with Troylee... use the pads, then be more regular with the magnet cleaner.

12/10/2009, 10:04 PM	#17
Amp2020 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Richmond near A.A. Posts: 1,203	I'd love to see someone clean the back of my coraline algae covered tank with nothing more than a white scrubber pad. If I had a 150 gallon tank there is no way that I'd even consider using a white pad instead of an acrylic scrapper. Make it easier on yourself. Use an acrylic scrapper for now and buy a buffer and some Novus before trying to sell it. A 75-120 gallon tank can have those fine scratches removed in about 1-3 hours with a car buffer and Novus compound. Don't make this harder than it needs to be. __________________ Victor Current Tank Info: None.

12/10/2009, 10:41 PM	#18
troylee Moved On Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: here. Posts: 2,509	with regular tank maintence its a piece of cake....if you let it get out of hand then it becomes problematic....when i drain tanks i soak them in vinegar and blast with the hose it all comes off no need for scrubbing...

12/11/2009, 08:55 AM	#19
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	I use an algae free Tiger Shark magnet with the white pad on the interior magnet and a microfiber cloth under the exterior magnet. I also have a sandpaper kit that I bought from algae free that attaches to the inside magnet and can be used to remove scratches without draining the water. Grits run from 1500 up to 6000 and I no longer have a single spot of algae on the inside of the tank. No scratches either. Kit costs $55 and comes with 4 1500 grit pads and 2 1800, 2400, 3200, 3600, 4000, and 6000 grit pads. I just finished doing the entire front pane of my tank and it looks great. I plan on keeping it that way by running the magnet with the white pad to remove algae and the6000 grit pad to polish as necessary. Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors Last edited by mcoomer; 12/11/2009 at 09:01 AM.

12/11/2009, 09:56 AM	#20
saf1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: California Posts: 2,259	I think it was Troylee that gave the single best piece of advise so far and that is to honestly stay "REGULAR" on your "TANK MAINTENCE". Speaking from experience here on both "irregular tank maintence" and acrylic equals scratches, more work, and total frustration. If you have a sand bottom then you REALLY need to be careful as pointed out above. The white pads several people pointed out already along with weekly maintence you shouldn't have any issues. Just allow yourself plenty of time to work around whatever substraight you have so you don't get anything caught in the pad. Same with any magnets you may use. My nephew in his younger days played with mine and got some sand in between which scratched my tank majorly It happens. __________________ -saf1 Current Tank Info: 210 gallon mixed reef

12/11/2009, 11:10 PM	#21
Amp2020 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Richmond near A.A. Posts: 1,203	Keeping up with regular tank maintenance is great advice but are you suggesting that some of us are not staying on top of it? Every setup is different and I've seen great tanks that grow tuff algae in LESS than a week. So doing regular maintenance is not a very helpful piece of advice. Once the algae starts to grow, some people are left with the question of how to clean it. Razors and metal scrappers will leave visible scratches but plastic/acrylic scrappers won't. Even scrubbing pads can cause scratches if sand gets stuck in it. Here's how I do it. Take a small piece of acrylic and cut an edge straight. Then use a belt sander to smooth it perfectly flat. This scrapper is used to remove the tuff green algae and coraline algae. The easy to remove type can be delt with a white pad but I never get close to the sand bottom. Instead I use a toothbrush. Have never had any visible scratches by using this method. Yes there are scratches that can be seen if the tank is drained but my tanks normally have water in them. __________________ Victor Current Tank Info: None.

12/13/2009, 11:28 PM	#22
terri_ann Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 841	I don't think anyone was or is trying to imply that someone is lax in doing tank maintenance. Those that are surely know who they are and will either just live with it or spend more of their time maintaining their tank when they decide to do it. Personally with my 135 acrylic tank that I've had since the early 1990's, I always used the white acrylic scrubbers. After the invention of the mag floats, this is what I have used. Every day before I feed my tankmates, I use the mag float taking about 2 minutes to go over the sides and front. I then use the long handled acrylic scrubber for the back side; about another 2 minutes. I haven't had problems with hard algae ever because of my short daily routine....end of story __________________ Happy Reefing!! :) Current Tank Info: 180g mixed 40B Anemone 5' raceway frag tank

12/14/2009, 10:44 AM	#24
tangdiver Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sioux Falls South Dakota Posts: 1,231	Scraperite plastic razor blades.....cheap.... __________________ Its unwise to pay to much or to little When U pay to much U lose a little $ When U pay to little U sometimes lose it all because the thing U bought was incapable of doing the thing U bought it to do Current Tank Info: 6' long, 3' wide, 2' high, My tank is not worthy of Tank of the Month

12/14/2009, 11:43 AM	#25
MatthewLaw Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Coast US Posts: 1,564	need something stronger I will need to try the acrylic scraper or plastic razor blade b/c the standard marineland scrapper is not getting the algae off. the only way i can get it off is with my nail and that takes awhile to even get small portions done...