Deep Cleaning Acrylic ideas

[reeftank1]

I am looking for any ideas and especially photos for making life easier getting coralline algae off acrylic on depths below 24" which is about the max of my arm length. It is the lower 6-8 inches on my 300 gallon tank. I currently use a Great White magnetic cleaner but I seem to be loosing the battle. I am curious if anyone may have designed some sort of contraption that I could glue on to the magnet like a Kent scraper or something similar.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[NC2WA]

Brian,

I have the same issue with my 375 gallon tank. I am able to remove some of it with a 36" Kent Pro scraper, but this only goes so far. Just tagging along for any good ideas.



Kirk

 

[TWallace]

I, too, am fighting a losing battle against coralline in an acrylic tank. Mine's only 55g so I have no trouble with the depth, but that stuff just does not come off near the bottom. I'm making the switch to glass when I upgrade in a few months. I've already got a 120g glass tank and stand sitting in my living room. I'll likely never go with acrylic again due to the difficulty in removing coralline.

 

[roscoe]

That is why I vow not to ever think about ever getting an acrylic tank as a display again! Corraline algea is tough to get off without scratching your acrylic.

 

[JPG@CFI]

The key to removing coraline is consistancy. If you only remove it once every 2-3 weeks, then it's your bad. If you hit it every 4-5 days then it will not get out of hand. It will help you all, if you sharpen your pro scrapers like a chisel. They need to be bur free, and sharp. New ones need to be worked over before use. Acrylic is pretty durable with scratches if you take your time, and are treating it like a car finish. Treat it like the paint of a Porsche, or Mercedes and you will be a-ok. I have heavy coraline growth on my tank, and the tank is 4 years old with NO scratches at all.

Jason

 

[reeftank1]

Can I use some sort of pipe clamp or other clamp to fasten a kent scraper on the magnet to hit the hard to reach places?

 

[JPG@CFI]

I use a tricky mount to attach a pro scraper blade to a mag. If your interested, give me a PM.

Jason

 

[reeftank1]

$2.00 to never have coraline problems again!!!!!

So this cheap little gizmo cost less than $2.00 and uses no glue and works like a charm. This will rake the coralline right of of thick 3/4" acrylic. I used 2 zip ties the bigger one placed on first and then you can tension the adapter with the back one. It is like having a bulldozer in your tank. After the cuts on the pieces there is tension that holds the blade with the pressure of a Great White cleaner. I am not sure if it will work on smaller magnets but for the price it is solid, no metal, and easy to change out the blade. I have been reusing the same blade and just lightly sanding a new chisel face on it.

 

[matts125]

here is a great idea for you acrylic guys,
I have this for my 30'' deep glass cube and it works like a charm and is very low profile! only adds 1/8'' to your mag cleaner.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~AF1313.html
all you need to do is mod it to hold a acrylic scraper, should be a peice of cake!!!
BTW they have these instock at barrier reef in renton!!!!


Matt

 

[JPG@CFI]

Very cleaver, and cost effective to boot. Hats off! J