BEST tips for cleaning acrylic

NMOCEAN · 10/13/2006, 10:10 PM

I just purchased a dream tank from ATM in Las Vegas, it is a 375 gallon acrylic tank. I am terrified to pull off the protective plastic covering!! I would really like to hear everyones tips and advice about how and what to clean acrylic tanks with, as to prevent scratches.

I had a 240 gallon acrylic tank, and learned some things not to clean acrylic with, but don't want to make any mistakes with this one!

Thanks, Jen

Scissorhand · 10/13/2006, 10:23 PM

I use the Kent Pro Scraper for Acrylic/Glass to scrape off all the coralline and that's worked pretty well. No scratches.

NMOCEAN · 10/14/2006, 08:30 AM

Thanks PochiePooh, will keep that in mind!

Jen

Creetin · 10/14/2006, 10:49 AM

Get yourself an all plastic, with rubber squeege to clean the salt creep off the top and on the underside of the acrylic top.
Also if you use a magnavore get some dobie pads and cut out the sponge, and stick the wet end of the magnet in there. It will take coraline off and not scratch the acryic.

acrylic_300 · 10/14/2006, 11:39 AM

Don't Laugh. Scatch Out by Kit easily removes scratches & haze from all auto finishes plus plexiglass & plastic. It's mild and works as a good Acrylic Cleaner.

Apply a coat of this monthly and remove it with the softest cloth you can find.

Never use anything else....no cleaners nothing. When a line of saltwater runs down it, dampen your softest cloth with fresh water and remove it....followed by a dry cloth. When dust or anything else is on it...use a soft dry cloth.

If you dont believe me try one side...then feel the difference of how a cloth floats and glides across it...compared to how it grabs and grinds on the regular surface.

NMOCEAN · 10/14/2006, 12:51 PM

Awesome tips guys! Thanks! I am starting to feel a little bit better about taking off the protective plastic!

Jen

UCanDoIt · 10/14/2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PochiePooh
I use the Kent Pro Scraper for Acrylic/Glass to scrape off all the coralline and that's worked pretty well. No scratches.

I used the same on the inside of my tank. Also a soft sponge with the threaded cloth material.

For the outside, I use Brillianize and acrylic safe towels purchased from my local Tap Plastics store than specialize in acrylics. But that car polish idea sounds great!

Hop · 10/14/2006, 01:03 PM

I use some acrylic scrapers that came with my tank, a 30" Kent pro scraper and a tiger shark magnet cleaner for day to day cleanings.

To clean: First I picked up a box of ultra soft baby diapers from a store in town. I use a damp one to wipe the outside down. Then I use my tiger shark to clean the inside, careful not to pick up anything that may scratch the pane. If I got too close to the sand, I just pull the outside magnet away and let the inside cleaner, float away, releasing anything that may have got into the pad. The final step on normal cleaning is to use Brillianize to polish the outside with two dry baby diapers

As far as scraping goes, I just take my time.

I have two very small scratches in the whole tank after nearly a year. I do have on huge, deep scratch, but that was from my wife picking up a snail with the magnet while I was gone for seven weeks

I plan on fixing it very soon, but it's kind of out of sight, so I forget about it!

Good Luck...

UCanDoIt · 10/14/2006, 01:06 PM

Thanks for the tips, Christine

acrylic_300 · 10/14/2006, 01:31 PM

For coraline I use a long peice of pvc with a slot cut in the end...I put and old credit card in the slot. There are probably better ways...but it works.

NMOCEAN · 10/14/2006, 08:59 PM

acrylic 300, have you ever scratched the tank with the credit card? Do you ever replace the credit card if it gets beat up a little? This sounds like a really novel idea!

Thanks, Jen

NMOCEAN · 10/14/2006, 08:59 PM

acrylic 300, have you ever scratched the tank with the credit card? Do you ever replace the credit card if it gets beat up a little? This sounds like a really novel idea!

Thanks, Jen

acrylic_300 · 10/14/2006, 09:16 PM

The credit card wont scratch it but the coraline will. It doesn't matter what you use the coraline is hard and will scratch if your not careful.

It's likely going to get scratched close to the sand bed anyway...I think that's why the coraline grows there in the first place.

NGuay · 10/14/2006, 09:54 PM

I also use a credit card to scrape the tank and it works great. I have an actual scraper but I stopped using it.

I think the biggest thing to avoid scratches would be to not have any sand. That's how I have the couple small scratches that I have. When I upgrade to a bigger tank I'm going to avoid sand like the plague.

NMOCEAN · 10/15/2006, 08:43 AM

well I am definitely going to have sand; so I guess if sand is the culprute for most scratches then I will have to be extra careful to stay away from the sand bed!

Thanks, Jen

UCanDoIt · 10/15/2006, 09:02 AM

The Kent Pro Scraper works really well right at the edge of the sand bed through going into the sand bed. You just have to be sure not the lift the scaper away from the acrylic wall and scrape in downward motion only, always being sure that before you put the scraper against the acrylic wall that all grains of sand have fallen off the scraper.

10/13/2006, 10:10 PM	#1
NMOCEAN Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nevada Posts: 53	BEST tips for cleaning acrylic I just purchased a dream tank from ATM in Las Vegas, it is a 375 gallon acrylic tank. I am terrified to pull off the protective plastic covering!! I would really like to hear everyones tips and advice about how and what to clean acrylic tanks with, as to prevent scratches. I had a 240 gallon acrylic tank, and learned some things not to clean acrylic with, but don't want to make any mistakes with this one! Thanks, Jen

10/14/2006, 10:49 AM	#4
Creetin Limestone Cowboy. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In a little place i like to call a little place. Posts: 4,552	Get yourself an all plastic, with rubber squeege to clean the salt creep off the top and on the underside of the acrylic top. Also if you use a magnavore get some dobie pads and cut out the sponge, and stick the wet end of the magnet in there. It will take coraline off and not scratch the acryic. __________________ If only common sense was common. Current Tank Info: 300 gal marineland deep

10/14/2006, 01:03 PM	#8
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	I use some acrylic scrapers that came with my tank, a 30" Kent pro scraper and a tiger shark magnet cleaner for day to day cleanings. To clean: First I picked up a box of ultra soft baby diapers from a store in town. I use a damp one to wipe the outside down. Then I use my tiger shark to clean the inside, careful not to pick up anything that may scratch the pane. If I got too close to the sand, I just pull the outside magnet away and let the inside cleaner, float away, releasing anything that may have got into the pad. The final step on normal cleaning is to use Brillianize to polish the outside with two dry baby diapers As far as scraping goes, I just take my time. I have two very small scratches in the whole tank after nearly a year. I do have on huge, deep scratch, but that was from my wife picking up a snail with the magnet while I was gone for seven weeks I plan on fixing it very soon, but it's kind of out of sight, so I forget about it! Good Luck... __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

10/13/2006, 10:23 PM	#2
Scissorhand Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pho 54, SoCal Posts: 3,066	I use the Kent Pro Scraper for Acrylic/Glass to scrape off all the coralline and that's worked pretty well. No scratches.

10/14/2006, 08:30 AM	#3
NMOCEAN Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nevada Posts: 53	Thanks PochiePooh, will keep that in mind! Jen

10/14/2006, 11:39 AM	#5
acrylic_300 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Moberly, Mo Posts: 876	Don't Laugh. Scatch Out by Kit easily removes scratches & haze from all auto finishes plus plexiglass & plastic. It's mild and works as a good Acrylic Cleaner. Apply a coat of this monthly and remove it with the softest cloth you can find. Never use anything else....no cleaners nothing. When a line of saltwater runs down it, dampen your softest cloth with fresh water and remove it....followed by a dry cloth. When dust or anything else is on it...use a soft dry cloth. If you dont believe me try one side...then feel the difference of how a cloth floats and glides across it...compared to how it grabs and grinds on the regular surface.

10/14/2006, 12:51 PM	#6
NMOCEAN Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nevada Posts: 53	Awesome tips guys! Thanks! I am starting to feel a little bit better about taking off the protective plastic! Jen

10/14/2006, 01:06 PM	#9
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 1,684	Thanks for the tips, Christine

10/14/2006, 01:31 PM	#10
acrylic_300 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Moberly, Mo Posts: 876	For coraline I use a long peice of pvc with a slot cut in the end...I put and old credit card in the slot. There are probably better ways...but it works.

10/14/2006, 08:59 PM	#11
NMOCEAN Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nevada Posts: 53	acrylic 300, have you ever scratched the tank with the credit card? Do you ever replace the credit card if it gets beat up a little? This sounds like a really novel idea! Thanks, Jen

10/14/2006, 09:16 PM	#13
acrylic_300 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Moberly, Mo Posts: 876	The credit card wont scratch it but the coraline will. It doesn't matter what you use the coraline is hard and will scratch if your not careful. It's likely going to get scratched close to the sand bed anyway...I think that's why the coraline grows there in the first place.

10/14/2006, 09:54 PM	#14
NGuay Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 80	I also use a credit card to scrape the tank and it works great. I have an actual scraper but I stopped using it. I think the biggest thing to avoid scratches would be to not have any sand. That's how I have the couple small scratches that I have. When I upgrade to a bigger tank I'm going to avoid sand like the plague.

10/15/2006, 08:43 AM	#15
NMOCEAN Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nevada Posts: 53	well I am definitely going to have sand; so I guess if sand is the culprute for most scratches then I will have to be extra careful to stay away from the sand bed! Thanks, Jen

10/15/2006, 09:02 AM	#16
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 1,684	The Kent Pro Scraper works really well right at the edge of the sand bed through going into the sand bed. You just have to be sure not the lift the scaper away from the acrylic wall and scrape in downward motion only, always being sure that before you put the scraper against the acrylic wall that all grains of sand have fallen off the scraper.