Cleaning/polishing an empty used acrylic tank - how to?

spidey07 · 01/29/2007, 05:01 PM

Should be pretty easy. I now have a used 60 gallon tank but would like to clean the thing before I start it up. There's a decent amount of dead corraline and some very minor scratches on the inside.

Is there something I can do to really clean/polish the inside without posing a risk for future wildlife or damaging the acrylic?

Thanks in advance.

bertoni · 01/31/2007, 12:18 AM

I've done this before. It's a lot of work. I used Micro-Mesh abrasive papers, which are available in bulk. Any of the scratch touchup kits sold for acrylic aquaria will explain how to do the job.

Fishie Nut · 01/31/2007, 12:53 AM

Vinegar and water will help with the algae. I've also used the three-part Novus scratch remover. It works well, but requires a lot of rubbing.

kwaters · 01/31/2007, 12:56 AM

I just inherited a 55gal acrylic that I am going marine with. After alot of scrubbing with a kitchen brush, I removed all of the algae. It looked really scratched up so...I filled it with water to see if it was "ok" to continue with the project. It looked great with water in it...the scratches didn't show at all. I am still thinking of "polishing" as well...I don't want there to be any places for algae to hide!

dkh0331 · 01/31/2007, 05:57 AM

I did the same as Jonathan in using MicroMesh. I followed it up with the three part Novus. It is a lot of work.

spidey07 · 01/31/2007, 02:27 PM

Thanks for the tips. I was hoping it would be "easy". Guess not. The scratches are very minor so I may not even polish it.

bertoni · 01/31/2007, 05:17 PM

That's probably a fine choice. Scratches are part of life with acrylic, in my experience.

spidey07 · 01/31/2007, 09:37 PM

Thanks Bertoni!

I'm new to acrylic and want to take care of it. Given I have a new tank I want to do whatever maintenance I can before she gets wet. You only get one shot, ya know?

What is the easiest means to remove algae/corraline on an empty acrylic tank? I would just use vinegar but don't know if it would have an affect on the glue/acrylic. If there is some basic acrylic care guidelines out there....I've been looking. Won't set this one up until I utilize everything I've learned about reef keeping to this point.

bertoni · 02/01/2007, 12:46 AM

Vinegar works well, in my experience. A diluted muriatic acid solution can be useful for the really tough stuff.

01/29/2007, 05:01 PM	#1
spidey07 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 562	Cleaning/polishing an empty used acrylic tank - how to? Should be pretty easy. I now have a used 60 gallon tank but would like to clean the thing before I start it up. There's a decent amount of dead corraline and some very minor scratches on the inside. Is there something I can do to really clean/polish the inside without posing a risk for future wildlife or damaging the acrylic? Thanks in advance.

01/31/2007, 12:18 AM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I've done this before. It's a lot of work. I used Micro-Mesh abrasive papers, which are available in bulk. Any of the scratch touchup kits sold for acrylic aquaria will explain how to do the job. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/31/2007, 12:53 AM	#3
Fishie Nut Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 966	Vinegar and water will help with the algae. I've also used the three-part Novus scratch remover. It works well, but requires a lot of rubbing. __________________ Fishie (MASLAC member) "It's alaways a sometin'" -- Roseanna Roseannadana Current Tank Info: 225 gal LeeMar Reef; Deltec AP 702, ProFiLux, 90 gal sump/fuge, 3x250 HQI Lumenarcs. 4x96W PC actinics; 375 lbs LR; 3" LS; Hammerhead CL, Korallin c3002, KM500, Auto Water Change/Top Off; Aquatinics 1/3 HP drop in

01/31/2007, 12:56 AM	#4
kwaters Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newberg, Oregon Posts: 364	I just inherited a 55gal acrylic that I am going marine with. After alot of scrubbing with a kitchen brush, I removed all of the algae. It looked really scratched up so...I filled it with water to see if it was "ok" to continue with the project. It looked great with water in it...the scratches didn't show at all. I am still thinking of "polishing" as well...I don't want there to be any places for algae to hide! __________________ Pacific North West Marine Aquarium Society (PNWMAS)-Secretary Kris Waters Current Tank Info: 110 gallon tall

01/31/2007, 05:57 AM	#5
dkh0331 Es gibt keinen ersatz Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Close to the edge, down by a river Posts: 3,581	I did the same as Jonathan in using MicroMesh. I followed it up with the three part Novus. It is a lot of work. __________________ Just found out that grandpa has a drug addiction. He is addicted to viagra. No one is taking it harder than grandma.

01/31/2007, 02:27 PM	#6
spidey07 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 562	Thanks for the tips. I was hoping it would be "easy". Guess not. The scratches are very minor so I may not even polish it.

01/31/2007, 05:17 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	That's probably a fine choice. Scratches are part of life with acrylic, in my experience. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/31/2007, 09:37 PM	#8
spidey07 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 562	Thanks Bertoni! I'm new to acrylic and want to take care of it. Given I have a new tank I want to do whatever maintenance I can before she gets wet. You only get one shot, ya know? What is the easiest means to remove algae/corraline on an empty acrylic tank? I would just use vinegar but don't know if it would have an affect on the glue/acrylic. If there is some basic acrylic care guidelines out there....I've been looking. Won't set this one up until I utilize everything I've learned about reef keeping to this point.

02/01/2007, 12:46 AM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Vinegar works well, in my experience. A diluted muriatic acid solution can be useful for the really tough stuff. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni