Cleaning algae from acrylic without scratching?

[iSeeMax101]

Always end up with build up if I don't have the time for maintaining during busy months. But when it's time to get in there and scrape this stuff off I'm left with small scratches. What are you guys using that's safe for the acrylic?!

 

[albano]

What are you using, that isn't acrylic safe?

I would recommend the acrylic magnet "˜sleeve' from Champion Lighting, been using them for years!

 

[hersheyb]

I've had great experience with flipper magnets w/ plastic blade for acrylic.

 

[macdaddynick1]

Credit cards or Starbucks cards

 

[pandimus]

I havent tried it, but hear Mr Clean Magic Erasers are pretty good on Acrylic.

 

[pga7602]

This is exactly why I got rid of all my acrylic tanks.. once you give enough time for the Coraline to get thick, it becomes close to impossible to scratch off with plastic.

 

[gveng]

^^Exactly!

The trick with keeping an acrylic tank scratch free is to remove the algae early and often. Use a standard credit card and you should be fine.

 

[wishntoboutside]

Brightwell blue blades work great. just need to replace them often to make sure you don't damage anything.

 

[pga7602]

No such thing as acrylic safe... Even breathing on it will give you scratches.

 

[albano]

No such thing as acrylic safe... Even breathing on it will give you scratches.

No true at all... I have been using acrylic tanks since 1991, still have 3 120g tanks that are over 20 yrs old and can cleanup better than any glass tank.

I can even use stainless blade scrapers for algae without scratching.

 

[five.five-six]

Credit cards or Starbucks cards

Yep

 

[Jhuneke]

I use a Dobie pad "˜sleeve'! ( DIY) Just cut one end open .. pull out the sponge and use a rubber band to secure it to over your scraper (w a plastic blade attachment). It destroys coralline and never scratched up my acrylic [emoji1360]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jhuneke]

Scotch-Brite Dobie All-Purpose Pad, 3 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011DR9WC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_KNdqBbKYZ05Q9


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jhuneke]

I actually use them as a sleeve over my magfloat in my starphire tank as well.. it is way better than the scrubber on them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jet915]

I use a flipper magnet, works great and you dont touch the water. I do it every 4 or 5 days though to prevent buildup.

 

[laverda]

What are you using, that isn't acrylic safe?

I would recommend the acrylic magnet "˜sleeve' from Champion Lighting, been using them for years!

They look like Dobie pads without the foam inside, at 20 times the price.
The Dobie pads work well over a standard magnetic cleaner, but take some effort on coraline algae. 4000 grit wet/dry sand paper takes less effort and will remove very fine scratches in acrylic. I also use the plastic blade on a Kent scraper. I typically put a new edge on the blade with 320wet dry sandpaper every time I use it much. The best way is to clean it often enough before coraline algae gets started.

 

[laverda]

I havent tried it, but hear Mr Clean Magic Erasers are pretty good on Acrylic.

I have some of them and hard to imagine them removing coraline algae at all. Anything is possible.

 

[laverda]

This is exactly why I got rid of all my acrylic tanks.. once you give enough time for the Coraline to get thick, it becomes close to impossible to scratch off with plastic.

Scratched glass is all but unfixable. Acrylic can easily be buffed to like new when scratched. A little care is all it takes to keep from scratching acrylic.

 

[pga7602]

They look like Dobie pads without the foam inside, at 20 times the price.
The Dobie pads work well over a standard magnetic cleaner, but take some effort on coraline algae. 4000 grit wet/dry sand paper takes less effort and will remove very fine scratches in acrylic. I also use the plastic blade on a Kent scraper. I typically put a new edge on the blade with 320wet dry sandpaper every time I use it much. The best way is to clean it often enough before coraline algae gets started.

Wooo this is genius. 4000 grit sandpaper paper sounds like a great idea. How long does it take to wipe away some thicker acrylic

 

[pandimus]

I have some of them and hard to imagine them removing coraline algae at all. Anything is possible.

Google it, tons of people doing it, theres even some youtube videos. The only thing is to make sure you dont use the ones with chemicals on them, i believe they are the bath/kitchen ones.

A few people question the fact that they break down as they are used and are made of melamine, so could possibly hurt livestock, but i still havent heard of a fish death due to melamine intoxication.