Preventing Scratches on Starfire Tanks?

cpllongjk · 02/11/2014, 08:17 PM

I have had a 3 sided starfire tank for about 2 years now and with 2 kids ages 2 and 10 months I notice I am starting to get scratches on the inside of the glass. I figure this is due to my son and wife trying to clean the glass for me, which I appreciate, but when they get sand or something caught between the magnet and the glass it scratches the tank.

What can I do to allow them to clean the glass but ensure they don't scratch the glass inside anymore? At the rate they are making scratches I will have to change the tank out in 1-2 years. I was thinking of replacing the velcro on my piranha cleaner with the felt pad. In theory doing it more often and not allowing coralline to build up will be better than using the velcro. For coralline that has set it, I have to break out the scrapper blade anyways. I already use a plastic blade meant for acrylic tanks.

Anyone have any advice or tips they currently use for starfire?

mirkus · 02/11/2014, 08:51 PM

I would just take the cleaning magnet out of the tank so the wife and kid can't "help" you. Taking it out of the water also prevents stuff from growing on the magnet that may scratch
Your tank too.

JoelA7 · 02/11/2014, 08:52 PM

Also interested. Am getting a 130 shortly and was planning on one of the floating magnet cleaners and just do it every day to prevent buildup.

ca1ore · 02/11/2014, 09:03 PM

One of the reasons I don't bother with starphire glass! Looks great when the tank is empty, but IMO doesn't make all that much difference when full.

Best approach to minimize scratches on any glass is to clean off coralline frequently, so it doesn't have a chance to 'etch' the glass, and don't run the nag-float too close to the sand bed (use a razor scraper for the bottom 2 inches of glass).

slowjazz · 02/11/2014, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

One of the reasons I don't bother with starphire glass! Looks great when the tank is empty, but IMO doesn't make all that much difference when full.

Best approach to minimize scratches on any glass is to clean off coralline frequently, so it doesn't have a chance to 'etch' the glass, and don't run the nag-float too close to the sand bed (use a razor scraper for the bottom 2 inches of glass).

razors near the bottom or edges can be real bad if your not very careful.

Reef Frog · 02/12/2014, 12:49 AM

I've scratched my low iron glass with a standard mag float too; most are long and straight. So I don't do that motion anymore. I "twist"'the magnet in circles while moving it left & right, up &'down. To the best of my knowledge I haven't scratched it this way.

Of course it's best to keep sand out of the magnet of course, but I do this now in case I miss a grain or two which is inevitable.

Keep the magnet at least 2" away from the sand bed & move it slowly so you don't disturb the sand bed.

I also use the Two Little Fishies Nano Mag. It's great for light algae & doesn't scratch as the magnetic force is moderate but strong enough. It's small so takes a while and does not float. It's thin so it's useful on the side panels where there's not much room between the glass and the live rock.

If you use an in tank frag rack NEVER NEVER EVER slide it across the glass to move it.

Mongo77 · 02/12/2014, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Frog

If you use an in tank frag rack NEVER NEVER EVER slide it across the glass to move it.

What do you mean by this? I use that magnet also.

Reef Frog · 02/12/2014, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mongo77

What do you mean by this? I use that magnet also.

I'm referring to the eshopps (spelling ?) acrylic frag rack with magnets. Sand somehow musteriously appears between the acrylic & glass. I don't know how it gets there - maybe snails. If you try to move it by sliding it by moving the outside magnets, you'll be sorry. The sand directly grinds the glass and there is no "plastic loop" material to cushion it like you have on a mag float,

The right way to mive it is to put your hand in the tank and pull the platform away from the glass while catching the magnets with your dry hand outside the tank.

julie180 · 02/12/2014, 05:37 AM

A felt pad will have the same problem. Probably even worse because the sand holds better to it than velcro.

+1 Take the mag out. Maybe get them a small pad on a stick so they can feel helpful.

alton · 02/12/2014, 06:26 AM

I have heard from friends who bought a certain brand and there low iron tank scratched very easy. My original Oceanic with Starphire glass doesn't have any scratches and its 10+ and I use a Kent SS scraper

ca1ore · 02/12/2014, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowjazz

razors near the bottom or edges can be really bad if you're not very careful.

Best to be careful then! I've put a few scratches into my tank with a mag float, but never with a razor scraper .... YMMV

supra400hptt · 02/12/2014, 09:54 AM

The reason I have a starphire tank now is the mag float scratched the hell out of my old tank. I'll never use one again. I use a Tom Scraper now that I pulled the metal blade out of and inserted a credit card. It might be a little more work, but I've had no scratches in the new tank using it. I've got a few light ones from using a razor blade when I got lazy and let too much build up occur and tried to make quick work of it. So no more razor blades either.

Indiana Reefin · 02/12/2014, 10:56 AM

I have an elos midi aquarium so I am very very carefully when I am cleaning the glass. This is what I do:
1. I clean my glass every other day. The longer you wait the harder it is to clean the glass.
2. I put a microfiber cloth on the dry side of my algae free pirahana.
3. I have a nimble nano magnet cleaner for algae on the glass near the sand bed and in the tight corners of my tank.
4. Never ever leave magnets in your tank, they will built up calcium deposits on the wet side which can easily scratch the glass.

I would say doing it often and the same way every time is the key.

slowjazz · 02/12/2014, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Best to be careful then! I've put a few scratches into my tank with a mag float, but never with a razor scraper .... YMMV

I would not be concerned about scratches with a razor. I would be concerned about damaging the silicon holding the tank together.

FlyPenFly · 02/12/2014, 11:40 AM

The silicone that's exposed doesn't seem like a big deal. All the structural and sealing is from the silicone that's between the glasses.

02/11/2014, 08:17 PM	#1
cpllongjk Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca Posts: 1,066	Preventing Scratches on Starfire Tanks? I have had a 3 sided starfire tank for about 2 years now and with 2 kids ages 2 and 10 months I notice I am starting to get scratches on the inside of the glass. I figure this is due to my son and wife trying to clean the glass for me, which I appreciate, but when they get sand or something caught between the magnet and the glass it scratches the tank. What can I do to allow them to clean the glass but ensure they don't scratch the glass inside anymore? At the rate they are making scratches I will have to change the tank out in 1-2 years. I was thinking of replacing the velcro on my piranha cleaner with the felt pad. In theory doing it more often and not allowing coralline to build up will be better than using the velcro. For coralline that has set it, I have to break out the scrapper blade anyways. I already use a plastic blade meant for acrylic tanks. Anyone have any advice or tips they currently use for starfire?

02/11/2014, 09:03 PM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	One of the reasons I don't bother with starphire glass! Looks great when the tank is empty, but IMO doesn't make all that much difference when full. Best approach to minimize scratches on any glass is to clean off coralline frequently, so it doesn't have a chance to 'etch' the glass, and don't run the nag-float too close to the sand bed (use a razor scraper for the bottom 2 inches of glass). __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/11/2014, 08:51 PM	#2
mirkus Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 311	I would just take the cleaning magnet out of the tank so the wife and kid can't "help" you. Taking it out of the water also prevents stuff from growing on the magnet that may scratch Your tank too.

02/11/2014, 08:52 PM	#3
JoelA7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,056	Also interested. Am getting a 130 shortly and was planning on one of the floating magnet cleaners and just do it every day to prevent buildup.

02/12/2014, 12:49 AM	#6
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	I've scratched my low iron glass with a standard mag float too; most are long and straight. So I don't do that motion anymore. I "twist"'the magnet in circles while moving it left & right, up &'down. To the best of my knowledge I haven't scratched it this way. Of course it's best to keep sand out of the magnet of course, but I do this now in case I miss a grain or two which is inevitable. Keep the magnet at least 2" away from the sand bed & move it slowly so you don't disturb the sand bed. I also use the Two Little Fishies Nano Mag. It's great for light algae & doesn't scratch as the magnetic force is moderate but strong enough. It's small so takes a while and does not float. It's thin so it's useful on the side panels where there's not much room between the glass and the live rock. If you use an in tank frag rack NEVER NEVER EVER slide it across the glass to move it.

02/12/2014, 05:37 AM	#9
julie180 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raymore, MO Posts: 2,556	A felt pad will have the same problem. Probably even worse because the sand holds better to it than velcro. +1 Take the mag out. Maybe get them a small pad on a stick so they can feel helpful.

02/12/2014, 06:26 AM	#10
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	I have heard from friends who bought a certain brand and there low iron tank scratched very easy. My original Oceanic with Starphire glass doesn't have any scratches and its 10+ and I use a Kent SS scraper

02/12/2014, 09:54 AM	#12
supra400hptt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 295	The reason I have a starphire tank now is the mag float scratched the hell out of my old tank. I'll never use one again. I use a Tom Scraper now that I pulled the metal blade out of and inserted a credit card. It might be a little more work, but I've had no scratches in the new tank using it. I've got a few light ones from using a razor blade when I got lazy and let too much build up occur and tried to make quick work of it. So no more razor blades either.

02/12/2014, 10:56 AM	#13
Indiana Reefin Garrett Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 847	I have an elos midi aquarium so I am very very carefully when I am cleaning the glass. This is what I do: 1. I clean my glass every other day. The longer you wait the harder it is to clean the glass. 2. I put a microfiber cloth on the dry side of my algae free pirahana. 3. I have a nimble nano magnet cleaner for algae on the glass near the sand bed and in the tight corners of my tank. 4. Never ever leave magnets in your tank, they will built up calcium deposits on the wet side which can easily scratch the glass. I would say doing it often and the same way every time is the key.

02/12/2014, 11:40 AM	#15
FlyPenFly SPS Killer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,490	The silicone that's exposed doesn't seem like a big deal. All the structural and sealing is from the silicone that's between the glasses.