Owners of large acrylic tanks

Jeremy Blaze

Jeremy Blaze

Former Reef Addict
I am not trying to start an acrylic vs war thread. We all know the pros and cons of both.

My question is for the owners of acrylic tanks. I know scratches are inevitable, even glass tanks can scratch.

I know that scratchs can be buffed out of acrylic very easily.

My question is about scratchs on the inside. Do you have a problem getting scratches on the inside of the tank, from sand, animals, etc...

If so, how bad, and how long did it take to get them? What do you do about it? I can not see draining the tank to polish them out being a good option.

Please share your expereinces.
 
I have a mangroove magnet and I bought a scratch polishing kit with it.You can fix a scratch with water in the tank.My tank is new so no real scratches yet.I did have a rock fall over and it didn't scratch the tank
 
Yes there are kits you can buy to fix them with water in it. Scratches are pain. If i could i would buy two magnets. One for the area down by the sand and one for the rest of the viewing area. I thought if i was careful enough i could clean with no worries but i was wrong. Other then that when i get unlazy im sure i can buff almost all of them out.
 
take the time to clean the magnets out before using them each time, I blow mine off with a powerhead, then stay a few inches away from the sand and you'll be ok.

I think if I have to buy the underwater airpowered buffer in a couple years to make it look new again thats what i'll do.
Everclear sells them for around $400 I'd love to know how much work it is though.
C
 
reefkoi: I do not have hands on experience but I spoke to Everclear regarding scratches on the inside of my 300g acrylic tank. they recommended using their manual method outlined on their website and not the power buffer. the buffer takes a significant compressor to operate and makes a mess so unless you have extensive scratches it doesn't make sense according to them.
 
OK Thanks for the info, I only have minor ones I should just order the kit and play with a few and see how it works.
Thanks,
Chris
 
I know cleaning magnets are wildly popular but you just really couldn't pay me to use one on an acrylic tank. IMO they're just a ticking time bomb patiently waiting to go off.

Brett
 
After scratching up a total of 3 tanks with various magnets I had finally had enough and gave one of these a try:

http://www.homeandbeyond.com/prod-0004401.html

It was recommended by someone here on RC several years back. It's a regular sponge wrapped in a thin nylon mesh and works like a charm. It will even scrub off coralline with relative ease. However, as good as this is I still won't trust it anywhere near the sand bed. I only use it about 80% of the way down. For the final few inches I use a Kent pro scraper with the red plastic insert and scrape with downward strokes only. At no time do I scrape upwards from the sandbed.

Granted to use it you have to get your hands wet but it's worth the effort. I guess if you really wanted to you could rubber band it to your Kent scraper so you could stay dry

Brett
 
Last edited:
Not that I can tell but I wash them anyways. I'm probably on my 10th sponge with no ill effects. They're very durable so a box of 3 will last quite a while.
 
just to clarify, my experience is with a Scotch-Brite "Dobie" with the nylon netting on the outside. I have no idea how any other Scotch-Brite product will work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

JCOLE
Acrylic sanding advice
Replies
8
Views
474
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
adova
300g DIY Acrylic Tank Recommendations
Replies
5
Views
138
griss
griss
Dogs442
Cleaning my xxl900 Is it safe?
Replies
3
Views
323
Dogs442
Dogs442
S
Cirlce haze after polishing
Replies
3
Views
234
T Diddy
T Diddy
A
FS: Leemar Tank w/ Stand
Replies
0
Views
253
AQUA951
A
Back
Top