Acrylic question

onecoder · 10/28/2009, 11:58 AM

I have one of the magnetic cleaners and want to know if it will scratch the acrylic. In the past all of my tanks have been glass this is my first acrylic. Is it safe to use the magnitic cleaners?

no_Wedge · 10/28/2009, 12:08 PM

i probably wouldn't just because i know on mine sand and small rock/shells get caught in it and can scratch it.

Shane Hoffman · 10/28/2009, 12:55 PM

The magnetic cleaners for acrylic are different than the ones for glass. The mag float company makes a special magnet for acrylic. It is blue instead of grey.

Shane Hoffman · 10/28/2009, 12:56 PM

As mentioned above be very careful near the bottom of your tank. I honestly wouldnt even use a mag cleaner once you get to the bottom 2 inches of the tank. Use a handheld scrubber.

noahm · 10/28/2009, 01:15 PM

I have an 'acrylic safe' mag float. It seems to put microscratches on the inside and outside. Personally, I get my arm in there with a 'Mr Clean Magic Eraser' and clean down to about an inch from the bottom, then clean up the bottom inch with a kent marine scraper for acrylic. no scratches from that method. Somebody needs to put that magic eraser on a mag float or a stick. FWIW I've heard putting a soft cloth between the outside mag and the acrylic is a big help in eliminating the microscratches. The magic eraser seems to buff out the microscratches.

socalmiket · 10/28/2009, 04:46 PM

I have a phiranna float cleaner and it is fine on my acrylic. There is a thin white scrub pad on the inside part of the magned, and the outside part has felt.

I agree that you should not get close to the sand, and be careful for small snails, etc. It's the sand and snails that will scratch the acrylic when it gets caught in the magnet.

- MikeT

onecoder · 10/28/2009, 06:53 PM

Thanks so much for the input. I figured as much.

SI_rEEfer · 10/28/2009, 09:02 PM

I wipe the acrylic first to remove any loose debris before I use my magent cleaner. FWIW I use a Mighty Magnet.

I have put more scratches in my tank with my algae scraper than with my magent cleaner.

I have also attached MicroMesh to my magent cleaner using velcro. I have applied the velcro to various MicroMesh grits; 4000, 6000, 8000. This is great a polishing out light scratches.

10/28/2009, 11:58 AM	#1
onecoder Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 273	Acrylic question I have one of the magnetic cleaners and want to know if it will scratch the acrylic. In the past all of my tanks have been glass this is my first acrylic. Is it safe to use the magnitic cleaners?

10/28/2009, 12:55 PM	#3
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	The magnetic cleaners for acrylic are different than the ones for glass. The mag float company makes a special magnet for acrylic. It is blue instead of grey. __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

10/28/2009, 12:56 PM	#4
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	As mentioned above be very careful near the bottom of your tank. I honestly wouldnt even use a mag cleaner once you get to the bottom 2 inches of the tank. Use a handheld scrubber. __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

10/28/2009, 06:53 PM	#7
onecoder Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 273	Thanks Thanks so much for the input. I figured as much.

10/28/2009, 12:08 PM	#2
no_Wedge Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 422	i probably wouldn't just because i know on mine sand and small rock/shells get caught in it and can scratch it.

10/28/2009, 01:15 PM	#5
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	I have an 'acrylic safe' mag float. It seems to put microscratches on the inside and outside. Personally, I get my arm in there with a 'Mr Clean Magic Eraser' and clean down to about an inch from the bottom, then clean up the bottom inch with a kent marine scraper for acrylic. no scratches from that method. Somebody needs to put that magic eraser on a mag float or a stick. FWIW I've heard putting a soft cloth between the outside mag and the acrylic is a big help in eliminating the microscratches. The magic eraser seems to buff out the microscratches.

10/28/2009, 04:46 PM	#6
socalmiket Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lawndale, Ca Posts: 1,230	I have a phiranna float cleaner and it is fine on my acrylic. There is a thin white scrub pad on the inside part of the magned, and the outside part has felt. I agree that you should not get close to the sand, and be careful for small snails, etc. It's the sand and snails that will scratch the acrylic when it gets caught in the magnet. - MikeT

10/28/2009, 09:02 PM	#8
SI_rEEfer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Aurora, IL Posts: 132	I wipe the acrylic first to remove any loose debris before I use my magent cleaner. FWIW I use a Mighty Magnet. I have put more scratches in my tank with my algae scraper than with my magent cleaner. I have also attached MicroMesh to my magent cleaner using velcro. I have applied the velcro to various MicroMesh grits; 4000, 6000, 8000. This is great a polishing out light scratches.