Remove scratches from glass?

[TheNanoReefer]

my wife bought me an aquarium and stand/canopy for Christmas.... since then I have just about changed everything about this setup (skimmer, pumps, sump, fuge, lights, etc)... i even modified and changed up the stand/canopy a little.

I am now just about ready to start my cycle and Im about to order some pukani from BLS but before I add the rock/water Id like to try and fix some of these scratches that are in my glass.

I know a new 55 gallon tank isnt that expensive, but its just the point. If i go and replace the tank also, she wont be happy. I think it already kinda hurts her feelins that iv change so much already..

the scratches that are there, arent too bad, but to me they are noticeable. any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[xCry0x]

From what I understand from owning an acrylic tank is:

Glass is harder to scratch but if you scratch it they cannot be easily removed.

Acrylic scratches easier but is easier to remove.

Someone else might have better feedback though!

 

[TheNanoReefer]

anyone?

 

[wcmcinnes]

i removed scratches on my used 125 gallon fw tank. the rule of thumb is if you run your nails along the scratch and can actually feel a groove the scratch is too deep to buff out. be prepared for a lot of work and a mess as well.
you need cerium oxide (jewelers rouge) which you mix with water to make a sour cream like paste. apply that to the scratched area. use a buffer (approx 5000rpm) with a sheeps wool polishing pad and buff back and forth along the scratches with medium to high pressure. you could be there a while but it eventually worked for me..

there are some kits online you can find for this purpose. and i beleive some youtube videos as well..

good luck!

 

[Darth Vedder]

I just buffed some scratches in a new-to-me 120 gallon with cerium oxide but it didn't seem to do much. They are little hairline scratches tht I can't feel but I must not have done it enough. I did it like 4 times, cleaned off the paste and repeated

I think I will try again tomorrow. I heard it does work but you must be patient and willing to put in a little time

 

[Oppee]

I did some research on it a year ago never read of any real success story just people saying it was too much work and got no were with it. I do not think you mentioned if the glass was drilled if not turn it around.