Is toothpaste reef-safe?

boilermaker1 · 06/04/2006, 09:34 PM

I know that sounds absolutely rediculous... but I've got some very fine scratches on the inside of a tank I just bought used. Its empty at the moment so I thought I'd try getting them out. I know toothpaste (the old "paste" kind) doubles as a bit of a light polishing compound, so I thought I might try some toothpaste and a rag or cotton polishing pad on my dremel and see if I can get some of it out.
I'd even consider trying it with something like Tom's organic toothpaste if it stands a better chance of not causing problems later. I just thought tooth paste would be far safer than something like iron oxide or automotive buffing compound.... and I would think it could be washed off the glass with some vinegar and water.
Worth a shot?

reefinmike · 06/04/2006, 09:46 PM

use cerrum oxide

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/glass.htm

sloshesv · 06/04/2006, 09:46 PM

4 out of 5 dentists don't recommend it.

affan · 06/04/2006, 09:51 PM

Some of our clients use toothpaste to keep their gold teeth looking bling bling. I am really not sure how this fits into this thread but thought I'd volunteer the info anyway.

saurus · 06/04/2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sloshesv
4 out of 5 dentists don't recommend it.

hahahahhahahaha

cainchristy · 06/05/2006, 03:03 PM

Some of these replies are just too funny.

For what it's worth, if the tank is empty, you could try the toothpaste, just be sure to rinse it out very well. LOL

Dubbin1 · 06/05/2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cainchristy
just be sure to rinse it out very well. LOL

and spit

xtrstangx · 06/05/2006, 03:19 PM

Yeah, you can always try it.. Just make sure you clean it off good. I'd wash it off with water, then give it a little watery bleach... just make sure the bleach dries out completely then rinse it out again.

06/04/2006, 09:34 PM	#1
boilermaker1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 784	Is toothpaste reef-safe? I know that sounds absolutely rediculous... but I've got some very fine scratches on the inside of a tank I just bought used. Its empty at the moment so I thought I'd try getting them out. I know toothpaste (the old "paste" kind) doubles as a bit of a light polishing compound, so I thought I might try some toothpaste and a rag or cotton polishing pad on my dremel and see if I can get some of it out. I'd even consider trying it with something like Tom's organic toothpaste if it stands a better chance of not causing problems later. I just thought tooth paste would be far safer than something like iron oxide or automotive buffing compound.... and I would think it could be washed off the glass with some vinegar and water. Worth a shot?

06/04/2006, 09:46 PM	#2
reefinmike Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: ohio Posts: 846	use cerrum oxide http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/glass.htm __________________ 90g reef lit by 2 kessil 360's and 4 T5's. 55g sump/fuge, eshopps s-200 skimmer and slowly working on getting every apex gadget

06/04/2006, 09:46 PM	#3
sloshesv Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: ft myers, fl Posts: 723	4 out of 5 dentists don't recommend it. __________________ It's just sloshesv, your Honor Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef, 20 gal seahorse and leaf fish

06/04/2006, 09:51 PM	#4
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	Some of our clients use toothpaste to keep their gold teeth looking bling bling. I am really not sure how this fits into this thread but thought I'd volunteer the info anyway.

06/05/2006, 03:03 PM	#6
cainchristy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Alabama Posts: 196	Some of these replies are just too funny. For what it's worth, if the tank is empty, you could try the toothpaste, just be sure to rinse it out very well. LOL

06/05/2006, 03:19 PM	#8
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	Yeah, you can always try it.. Just make sure you clean it off good. I'd wash it off with water, then give it a little watery bleach... just make sure the bleach dries out completely then rinse it out again.