Tank Scratch Problem

corbinwaltz · 06/27/2008, 08:44 PM

Well I hadn't used my magfloat on my acrylic tank for a while and apparently had build up some coraline. When the tank started to get a green tint to in, I swept the magfloat across the tank in a zigzag pattern and drew a nice zigzag scratch into the inside of my tank. These are pretty noticeable and I really want them gone but do not want to drain the tank. Is there any other option, or am I forced to drain the tank and buff them out???

tydtran · 06/27/2008, 08:46 PM

Sorry to hear it. I don't there is any option but to drain it if you really are determined to get rid of the scratch.

Packersfan21 · 06/27/2008, 08:48 PM

Were you using an acrylic-safe magno-float.

pledosophy · 06/27/2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Packersfan21
Were you using an acrylic-safe magno-float.

There is no such thing IME. Ya, I know what the package ways.

ReefEnabler · 06/27/2008, 09:11 PM

ouch, sorry to hear that.

always a good idea to check the magfloat for sand/critters and shake it off if theres stuff in there.

recently I accidentally shredded a bristleworm that was working his way through the scrub pad on the magfloat cleaner.

Hop · 06/27/2008, 09:15 PM

You can get a micro-mesh scratch remover kit and do it with the tank up and running. Expect a good afternoon to do it and I would pick up a piece of practice acrylic before hitting the tank.

Freed · 06/27/2008, 09:21 PM

Wet/dry sandpaper from the hardware store or an auto body shop is way much cheaper.

ReefEnabler · 06/27/2008, 09:38 PM

I have never been able to find sandpaper finer than 600 or so from any of the hardware stores I have checked (HD, lowes, ace hardware...)

Only place I can find 2000+ grit sandpaper is online....

For reference, I use 600 grit sandpaper to smooth the exposed routed edges on my acrylic sumps. 600 grit sandpapers smooths out all the bumps from routing, but makes it look "frosted". Cool for sump edges, but way too course for scratch removal - other than possibly in the early starting stages.

Freed · 06/28/2008, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Freed
or an auto body

apt220 · 06/28/2008, 04:46 PM

At Walmart in the auto section you could find 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit--at least at the Walmarts in Richmond..

Nano Chris · 06/28/2008, 04:58 PM

Thats why i clean mine with a credit card. I am very careful with mine. (Mines glass though.)

06/27/2008, 08:44 PM	#1
corbinwaltz Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: San diego Posts: 51	Tank Scratch Problem Well I hadn't used my magfloat on my acrylic tank for a while and apparently had build up some coraline. When the tank started to get a green tint to in, I swept the magfloat across the tank in a zigzag pattern and drew a nice zigzag scratch into the inside of my tank. These are pretty noticeable and I really want them gone but do not want to drain the tank. Is there any other option, or am I forced to drain the tank and buff them out??? __________________ If at first you don't succeed, your oviously not Chuck Norris Current Tank Info: Super Sweet Solona

06/27/2008, 08:48 PM	#3
Packersfan21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wabash, IN Posts: 920	Were you using an acrylic-safe magno-float. __________________ 90 gallon reef: 1 black ocellaris clown, 1 kole tang, 1 hippo tang, 1 mimic tang,1 leopard wrasse, 1 chromis, 75 gallon FOWLR: 1 blue-spotted puffer, 1 flame angel, 1 snowflake eel Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef and 75 gallon FOWLR

06/27/2008, 09:11 PM	#5
ReefEnabler Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 3,760	ouch, sorry to hear that. always a good idea to check the magfloat for sand/critters and shake it off if theres stuff in there. recently I accidentally shredded a bristleworm that was working his way through the scrub pad on the magfloat cleaner. __________________ - Ryan B "that is enough skimmate to ruin lives." - GSMguy Current Tank Info: 220g Display, 70g sump, 35g frag, 50g fuge, 2x250w MH, 1x400w MH, 2x80w T5, 2x140w VHO Actinic

06/27/2008, 09:15 PM	#6
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	You can get a micro-mesh scratch remover kit and do it with the tank up and running. Expect a good afternoon to do it and I would pick up a piece of practice acrylic before hitting the tank. __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

06/27/2008, 09:21 PM	#7
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	Wet/dry sandpaper from the hardware store or an auto body shop is way much cheaper. __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT

06/27/2008, 08:46 PM	#2
tydtran Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 853	Sorry to hear it. I don't there is any option but to drain it if you really are determined to get rid of the scratch.

06/27/2008, 09:38 PM	#8
ReefEnabler Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 3,760	I have never been able to find sandpaper finer than 600 or so from any of the hardware stores I have checked (HD, lowes, ace hardware...) Only place I can find 2000+ grit sandpaper is online.... For reference, I use 600 grit sandpaper to smooth the exposed routed edges on my acrylic sumps. 600 grit sandpapers smooths out all the bumps from routing, but makes it look "frosted". Cool for sump edges, but way too course for scratch removal - other than possibly in the early starting stages. __________________ - Ryan B "that is enough skimmate to ruin lives." - GSMguy Current Tank Info: 220g Display, 70g sump, 35g frag, 50g fuge, 2x250w MH, 1x400w MH, 2x80w T5, 2x140w VHO Actinic

06/28/2008, 04:46 PM	#10
apt220 Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 1,305	At Walmart in the auto section you could find 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit--at least at the Walmarts in Richmond..

06/28/2008, 04:58 PM	#11
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	Thats why i clean mine with a credit card. I am very careful with mine. (Mines glass though.) __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!