best algae removal for an acrylic tank?

jimi thing · 05/06/2009, 05:34 PM

What's the best and safest way to remove dried algae from an acrylic tank?

My sister-in-law has an acrylic 180 that she needs help cleaning. The thing has some pretty thick algae all over it and it's been sitting dry for about a week.

I tried some white vinegar and water and scrubbed with an acrylic safe aquarium scrubber and it didn't really do much good.

Anyone have any tips that might make this job a lot easier?

barraganbp1 · 05/06/2009, 06:54 PM

Try novus scratch remover with a polishing wheel. It worked for me.

snorvich · 05/06/2009, 07:26 PM

If the tank is full, Magic Eraser works well. If empty, a mixture of water and vinegar at 50:50

Dakota Reef · 05/06/2009, 08:09 PM

Do you mean Magic Eraser the Mr. Clean sponge product? Does it work on coralline?

jmking33 · 05/06/2009, 08:56 PM

I read a thread about the magic eraser....it said it did wonders on acrylic.

Bamm Bamm · 05/06/2009, 09:08 PM

put down a big thick towel lay the tank on its face and pour some vinegar in there 100" or mixed it doesn matter.. and use a old credit card to scrap the acrylic off works well thats what I did on my 180 when I bought it

jimi thing · 05/06/2009, 09:13 PM

Thanks for the help guys! Dan, This stuff is on there pretty good, are you sure that vinegar alone will do the trick?

rendogg · 05/06/2009, 09:36 PM

Hot water works the best to soften it, then it can be scraped off with a plastic scraper.

rendogg · 05/06/2009, 09:37 PM

Just make sure the tank is not cold before adding hot water....just in case.

05/06/2009, 05:34 PM	#1
jimi thing Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Walla Walla WA Posts: 167	best algae removal for an acrylic tank? What's the best and safest way to remove dried algae from an acrylic tank? My sister-in-law has an acrylic 180 that she needs help cleaning. The thing has some pretty thick algae all over it and it's been sitting dry for about a week. I tried some white vinegar and water and scrubbed with an acrylic safe aquarium scrubber and it didn't really do much good. Anyone have any tips that might make this job a lot easier?

05/06/2009, 07:26 PM	#3
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	If the tank is full, Magic Eraser works well. If empty, a mixture of water and vinegar at 50:50 __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

05/06/2009, 08:09 PM	#4
Dakota Reef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 222	Do you mean Magic Eraser the Mr. Clean sponge product? Does it work on coralline? __________________ - Phil - 270 gallon mixed reef - 54 x 48 x 24 Blonde Naso, Potters Angel, Majestic Angel, Regal Angel, Long Nose Butterfly, Copperband Butterfly, Starry Blenny, Pink Streaked Wrasse, Royal Gramm

05/06/2009, 08:56 PM	#5
jmking33 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: orlando,FL Posts: 1,652	I read a thread about the magic eraser....it said it did wonders on acrylic. __________________ It is what it is! Current Tank Info: 160 gallon rimless w/ a fishroom located behind it

05/06/2009, 09:08 PM	#6
Bamm Bamm Saltwater Guru Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Brentwood, NOR CAL Posts: 9,309	put down a big thick towel lay the tank on its face and pour some vinegar in there 100" or mixed it doesn matter.. and use a old credit card to scrap the acrylic off works well thats what I did on my 180 when I bought it __________________ 25g rimless cube in the works Current Tank Info: 60g cube

05/06/2009, 06:54 PM	#2
barraganbp1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Imperial, California Posts: 50	Try novus scratch remover with a polishing wheel. It worked for me.

05/06/2009, 09:13 PM	#7
jimi thing Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Walla Walla WA Posts: 167	Thanks for the help guys! Dan, This stuff is on there pretty good, are you sure that vinegar alone will do the trick?

05/06/2009, 09:36 PM	#8
rendogg Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Abbotsford, B.C. Posts: 578	Hot water works the best to soften it, then it can be scraped off with a plastic scraper.

05/06/2009, 09:37 PM	#9
rendogg Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Abbotsford, B.C. Posts: 578	Just make sure the tank is not cold before adding hot water....just in case.