Acylic tank question

[rolikesfish]

I have never had an acrylic tank, but am considering getting one. One thing that I have thought about is how do you scrape coraline algae off of the walls without scratching it. Also, what else have you noticed that scratches acrylic, I want to learn from your mistakes so I can limit some of the ones I will make

 

[mike_cmu04]

I use a old credit card to scrape the coraline off the glass. As far as scratching if you rub a rock against it or get sand stuck in your glass cleaner it will scratch. It is very easy to scratch IMO.

 

[rolikesfish]

so mike_cmu04, you say an old credit card will do the trick? How else do you clean you acrylic from the inside?

 

[Rustics]

go glass

go glass

I've always had glass in the past and just recently downsized to a acylic cube and hate it. scratches all over and never looks "clean". Go glass!!

 

[noahm]

credit card for coralline, and magic eraser for regular algae.

 

[rolikesfish]

Rustics, I've had terrible experiences with glass tanks in the past, mainly leaks. The acrylic tank I want is the SeaClear 50 gallon tank. Another reason I want an acrylic tank is because it is great looking, I like the rimless look.

 

[rsl3]

Hotel room keys just like credit cards work well for coralline algae. While acrylic does scratch easy it is way stronger than glass and is virtually never going to break on you like a glass tank can. Another benefit is the acrylic is bonded together so basically it is one piece where it is not siliconed together which also can lead to a leak just my opinion acrylic gives you a whole different "clear" look and looks ten times better than

 

[rolikesfish]

I'm def going with an acrylic tank, I just was not sure how to get the coralline algae off. But obviously credits cards (or similar) seem to work for you guys. I just want to know do you guys actually own acrylic tanks? What is your source for these answers?

 

[sabodish]

www.mightymagnets.com

i use these on my acrylic tank and they work really well. the little algae dozer thing they sell which attaches to the magnet removes coralline very easily.

that being said, i have scratched my acrylic tank. not the magnets fault. just sometimes you dont notice little things on the pad.

 

[cakemanPA]

Mighty Magnet with a MR. CLEAN Magic Eraser

 

[Indymann99]

+1

I filet the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser 1/2.

 

[rolikesfish]

Is the magic eraser aquarium safe right out of the package? Or do you guys do something to it first?

 

[Indymann99]

Just make sure you purchase "original Mr clean" all my research says it is inert. I have also been using it for 2.5 years now, with no harmful effects.

YMMV

 

[rolikesfish]

okay thanks Indymann99, I never knew the magic eraser thing. When I get my tank I will try it when I need it.

 

[cakemanPA]

And they cut in half nice and clean