Acrylic Care?

[NaH2O]

Tell me what you use to care for your acrylic tanks. What is the best float magnet to use on acrylic? What about other scrubbers? I imagine the best thing to do is just keep up with the algae instead of having to really scrub later on. What about scratch repair kits....any good brands?

Thanks!

 

[jks1]

yeah nikki- I have a 240g cichlid acrylic as well as my new 210g. I use mag floats, I have to use the big ones because of the thichness of the acrylic. A quick swipe once a day will definately save you haveing to do some real scrubbin in the long run.

I use plactic scrapers I got online for the tough stuff. Definately stay away from any kitchen scrubbing pads as they will scratch..

As for scratch repair kits, I only used one once while I had the tank down between moves. Not sure what brand, I got it from an acrylic dealer. I used an electric car buffer and most came out. You can tell when you have a scratch because inevitably algae will grow in it outlining it for you..

 

[jazznreef]

how much are the electric car buffers? anyone have one i could borrow?

i just discovered a nice way to rid the acrylic of corraline. take a long strip of acrylic and scrape the tank with it. it worked soooo much better than the kent scrapers. i was pretty impressed. the edge does wear out in that it gets rounded but then go for another edge. you can cut a few scrapers out of a piece you get from home depot. these home made scrapers can be much longer than the kent ones too. works well.

 

[jks1]

just be careful of the sharp edges on the acrylic strips- may scratch. The buffer I have was about 40.00 at walmart, nothing special.

 

[Thefishcouple]

Heres what I do. On the inside The Mag Float is great hey are stong and do a good job if used on a regular basis, at least every other day. Also unlike most of the other mags. they float to the top when you lose it nice to know you maginet wont end up under a rock in the back corner. Be careful though around the bottom as almost all magnet damage I have seen occurs when you pick up a small rock or sand and work it up and down scratching as you go. Just be sure you get the one for acrylic they also make one for glass. The acrylic one is light blue in color I think the glass ones are white. I leave mine parked in the back top corner its all coriline covered now and not very noticable. Scrap pieces of acrylic are by far the best thing to get hard stuff off coraline etc, credit cards work good to but ware out quickly. Rainbow Lifeguard makes a great scratch removal kit. It has everything you will need to remove scratches both inside and outside of the tank. This can be done with the water in the tank no need to lower or drain the your aquarium. There are also lots of handle type scrapers that can be used for the corners and other hard to clean spots. They are usually the white ones avail. at your LFS. As for the outside don't use any windex or 409 on the tank. It will damage the acrylic if not right away sooner or later. Use only water and mild dish soap to clean off salt creep and spots. Best thing to do is pick up some acrylic polish it will protect the surface of the tank like wax protects your cars paint. I like Brillinaize,(I need to learn the spelling) it does a great job. And one more thing thats as important as the cleaners is what you apply them with. We only use baby diapers they are the best thing to use and a pack of them will last forever, (unless you also use them for therer intended purpose) never ever use paper towels on your aquarium they will leave very fine scratches.
John

 

[NaH2O]

Thanks, John!! I want to treat the beautiful tank you created with the best of care!

 

[MarineDreamer]

Acrylic Care Part II

Sorry Nikki, don’t mean to jump in on your parade, but I didn’t think that I needed to start a new thread with this question.

O.K, so tonight I bought a used 110 gallon (50x25x18) AquaView Acrylic tank. Being that it is a used tank, there were lots and lots of little scratches in the tank. So I busted out the ‘ol 10” Ryobi orbital buffer and went to work. I have been using Meguiar’s fine-cut cleaner. Took most of the scratches right out, however some of the deeper scratches are not getting the hint.

Suggestions at what to do at this point?

I’m not wanting to fill this thing full of SPS’s and every time I look at my prized acro, all I see is this scratch that I missed that no one else sees. Also, I’m getting very, very fine lines. Would a polish, not a wax, (same brand) get those out? This is my first tank, little (more) help please.

Trevor

 

[NaH2O]

Good questions, Trevor! (and no problem posting on this thread)

 

[Montanarocknreefer]

Thanks John(IAP) for the great information you shared. I am like Nikki as I want to treat this beautiful aquarium you made for me the right way.

 

[Crows Ridge]

Jazz! I have one of those buffers you can use.

Niki, I used to use a Kent scraper and a magnet cleaner. Now I have a Mag Float brand cleaner and never use the scraper anymore. But, like you said, I need to clean at leats every 3 days or it gets hard and you cannot get rid of it in one swipe.

p.s. I will never go back to a cleaner that does not float when separated. Bad News:exclaim:


Chris

 

[Thefishcouple]

Trevor
Try and get the Meguiars heavy cut cleaner or the compound / cleaner for the deeper scratches. Then you will have to go to the medium cut cleaner and then you can use your fine cut cleaner. Finally you will need to finish up with swirl remover to get rid of the tiny hairline scratches. All of these are made by Meguiars and should be available at any auto parts store that specializes in automotive paint. If you can borrow the car buffer it would help you out they work great just be careful, keep it moving from place to place don't stop and polish away in one spot, if you do that you will heat up the acrylic and may burn it. Lots of elbow grease will be needed in the areas that the buffer can't reach. Good luck with your new tank
John

 

[MarineDreamer]

John,

Thanks for the information. I remember some parts from last month, but I was unfairly distracted by the really hot chick in the back row.

Trevor