Cleaning Algae off of Acrylic

Ratbrow · 02/17/2014, 02:05 PM

My tank is 8 weeks old, just came off a diatom bloom and now the thin green algae is forming. I am told this is nomal so I am not worry about it. The question has to do with cleaning. Right now my arm is in the tank once every three days or so to try and wipe it from the front and sides. Should I try pointing my powerheads at the front to try and deter it? I really don't want to be sticking my hands in the tank that often. My Magfloat doesn't work for crap, and wiping the Acrylic with a soft cotton rag is my only option at this point. I can't believe how fast this stuff grows.

HumbleFish · 02/17/2014, 02:18 PM

Your tank is just going thru a maturing process; I believe they call it "the uglies". The algae will grow like crazy for a few more weeks and then tailor off. However, that being said, acrylic is a lot more difficult to keep clean than glass. If you slack for even a few days, you will pay the price and have to do some scrubbing. I usually scrub mine down once a week using an acrylic safe pad. In between, I use a Hammerhead Float with a filleted "Mr. Clean Magic Eraser". Make sure to get the original; no scents or cleaners or anything.

nlgill13 · 02/17/2014, 02:19 PM

IMO, your going to have your hands in the tank daily...so its normal to wipe down the acrylic every couple days/once a week. I would suggest using a Mr Cleans Magic Eraser Original non scented. They work wonders on acrylic and wont scratch as long as there is no sand on the eraser.

Ratbrow · 02/17/2014, 02:28 PM

Never thought of the Magic Eraser for some reason guys. Great idea, Thanks!

The piece of my old cotton undershirt was getting to be a little difficult to use. LOL!

RatReef · 02/17/2014, 05:41 PM

Always nice to see a fellow Rat. I never would have thought about a Magic Eraser either. Its amazing all of the little things you learn lurking around here.

larac · 02/17/2014, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nlgill13

They work wonders on acrylic and wont scratch as long as there is no sand on the eraser.

This.
Be very careful about getting sand or tiny snail eggs under anything. I once scratched my acrylic badly with a magfloat that I didn't realize had caught some snail eggs under it. Because of that I usually just use an acrylic scrapper.

BTW- I use the long plastic disposable gloves for working in the tank. You can buy them online from farming supply stores.

albano · 02/17/2014, 06:36 PM

I've had great success with an acrylic magnet sleeve from Champion Lighting...cuts thru algae much better than plain magnet, and seems to do a good job of keeping grains of sand from scratching acrylic! Been using and recommending them for a few years.

http://www.championlighting.com/home.php?cat=1685

02/17/2014, 02:05 PM	#1
Ratbrow Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 183	Cleaning Algae off of Acrylic My tank is 8 weeks old, just came off a diatom bloom and now the thin green algae is forming. I am told this is nomal so I am not worry about it. The question has to do with cleaning. Right now my arm is in the tank once every three days or so to try and wipe it from the front and sides. Should I try pointing my powerheads at the front to try and deter it? I really don't want to be sticking my hands in the tank that often. My Magfloat doesn't work for crap, and wiping the Acrylic with a soft cotton rag is my only option at this point. I can't believe how fast this stuff grows. __________________ 50 gallon Acrylic, AquaLife 6 bulb t5 HO with LED, 2 Tunze 6045 powerheads, Eheim Ecco 2236 Canister, Cobalt Neo-Therm 150 heater, Aquamaxx HOB skimmer, 60 lb live Rock, 70 lbs live sand.

02/17/2014, 02:19 PM	#3
nlgill13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boulder,CO Posts: 1,291	IMO, your going to have your hands in the tank daily...so its normal to wipe down the acrylic every couple days/once a week. I would suggest using a Mr Cleans Magic Eraser Original non scented. They work wonders on acrylic and wont scratch as long as there is no sand on the eraser. __________________ 90G DT w/ 30G sump, 2 Apollo SolarBlast Dimmable LEDs, 160 Reef Octopus Extreme, Neptune Apex, Mag 7, MP10 & MP40

02/17/2014, 02:28 PM	#4
Ratbrow Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 183	Never thought of the Magic Eraser for some reason guys. Great idea, Thanks! The piece of my old cotton undershirt was getting to be a little difficult to use. LOL! __________________ 50 gallon Acrylic, AquaLife 6 bulb t5 HO with LED, 2 Tunze 6045 powerheads, Eheim Ecco 2236 Canister, Cobalt Neo-Therm 150 heater, Aquamaxx HOB skimmer, 60 lb live Rock, 70 lbs live sand.

02/17/2014, 06:36 PM	#7
albano SALTWATER since '73 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Katonah, NY/ San Fernando Ca./ Sea Isle City NJ Posts: 6,210	I've had great success with an acrylic magnet sleeve from Champion Lighting...cuts thru algae much better than plain magnet, and seems to do a good job of keeping grains of sand from scratching acrylic! Been using and recommending them for a few years. http://www.championlighting.com/home.php?cat=1685 __________________ ______________________________________ Jan. '11 TOTM Manhattan Reefs Current Tank Info: 500g & 200g acrylic DTs/2 separate reef systems

02/17/2014, 02:18 PM	#2
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	Your tank is just going thru a maturing process; I believe they call it "the uglies". The algae will grow like crazy for a few more weeks and then tailor off. However, that being said, acrylic is a lot more difficult to keep clean than glass. If you slack for even a few days, you will pay the price and have to do some scrubbing. I usually scrub mine down once a week using an acrylic safe pad. In between, I use a Hammerhead Float with a filleted "Mr. Clean Magic Eraser". Make sure to get the original; no scents or cleaners or anything.

02/17/2014, 05:41 PM	#5
RatReef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Leclaire IA Posts: 65	Always nice to see a fellow Rat. I never would have thought about a Magic Eraser either. Its amazing all of the little things you learn lurking around here.