Cleaning a 36" Deep Acrylic Tank Without Scratching

reefdude3749 · 01/07/2013, 03:56 PM

A quick question...are there any best practices on cleaning a deep, 36" acrylic tank? I am primarily concerned about the display pane...its gets some difficult to remove growth and especially when it is near the bottom. I have a solid clean-up crew and a long 36" acrylic scraper...but with the long scraper, it is very difficult to get much leverage to be efficient near the bottom. Maybe this is part of the "fun" but I figured if there was a solution out there...someone may be able to guide me.

Thanks in advance, JPB

Ghstwolf · 01/07/2013, 11:33 PM

I know alot of people will yell at me for using one.. But I bought an aqueon magnetic acrylic algea cleaner and it works GREAT! I put more scratches in my tank using Kent's Aquamop and acrylic scraper than I have with this magnet..

But I feel your pain.. Even with a 24" deep tank it's hard to get the leverage at the sandline to get everything without sticky my whole arm in the tank..

maR1o · 01/08/2013, 02:17 AM

IIf this works, it will make my maintenance routine so much easier.

Crusinjimbo · 01/08/2013, 05:43 AM

Haven't had an acrylic tank for some time. The only thing that worked for me was a daily swipe with a cleaner magnet with a thin plastic pot-scrubber plastic thing on the inside mag. Took a minute or two each day but it significantly reduced the overall effort to maintain clarity.

johnike · 01/08/2013, 05:50 AM

I use a Tiger Shark with no trouble.

cur10u5g30rg3 · 02/01/2013, 11:36 AM

I know this thread is a little older but I have been using a Mr. Clean Magic Erasor. It is the original with no chemicals. It removed algae like magic lol. It has made cleaning the acrylic so much easier. I don't know if it will harm polish becuase my tank had very fine scratches prior to using this so you may want ot try it on an isolated hidden area.

reefdude3749 · 02/01/2013, 08:18 PM

Thanks for all of the advice...appreciated. JPB

Ghstwolf · 02/02/2013, 12:27 AM

I have heard of using the Magic Erasor as well.. I did buy 1 when I first setup my tank.. I'm thinking I might use it here soon on some of the harder, coraline algea that is starting to form spots on the front and sides..

ziareefer · 02/02/2013, 12:35 AM

+1 on the Mr. Clean Magic Erasor

01/07/2013, 03:56 PM	#1
reefdude3749 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 77	Cleaning a 36" Deep Acrylic Tank Without Scratching A quick question...are there any best practices on cleaning a deep, 36" acrylic tank? I am primarily concerned about the display pane...its gets some difficult to remove growth and especially when it is near the bottom. I have a solid clean-up crew and a long 36" acrylic scraper...but with the long scraper, it is very difficult to get much leverage to be efficient near the bottom. Maybe this is part of the "fun" but I figured if there was a solution out there...someone may be able to guide me. Thanks in advance, JPB

01/07/2013, 11:33 PM	#2
Ghstwolf Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 177	I know alot of people will yell at me for using one.. But I bought an aqueon magnetic acrylic algea cleaner and it works GREAT! I put more scratches in my tank using Kent's Aquamop and acrylic scraper than I have with this magnet.. But I feel your pain.. Even with a 24" deep tank it's hard to get the leverage at the sandline to get everything without sticky my whole arm in the tank.. __________________ USAF Retired! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon LPS/Softie mixed reef, Reef Octopus NWB150, 2xEcoTech Radions, Aqueon Proflex Model 4 sump, 75lbs of Dry Reef Saver/60lbs of Dry Sand...

01/08/2013, 05:43 AM	#4
Crusinjimbo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel FL Posts: 751	Haven't had an acrylic tank for some time. The only thing that worked for me was a daily swipe with a cleaner magnet with a thin plastic pot-scrubber plastic thing on the inside mag. Took a minute or two each day but it significantly reduced the overall effort to maintain clarity. __________________ Jimbo 13.5G EVO

02/02/2013, 12:27 AM	#8
Ghstwolf Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 177	I have heard of using the Magic Erasor as well.. I did buy 1 when I first setup my tank.. I'm thinking I might use it here soon on some of the harder, coraline algea that is starting to form spots on the front and sides.. __________________ USAF Retired! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon LPS/Softie mixed reef, Reef Octopus NWB150, 2xEcoTech Radions, Aqueon Proflex Model 4 sump, 75lbs of Dry Reef Saver/60lbs of Dry Sand...

01/08/2013, 02:17 AM	#3
maR1o Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 52	IIf this works, it will make my maintenance routine so much easier.

01/08/2013, 05:50 AM	#5
johnike Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bureau County Illinois Posts: 5,406	I use a Tiger Shark with no trouble.

02/01/2013, 11:36 AM	#6
cur10u5g30rg3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orlando Posts: 534	I know this thread is a little older but I have been using a Mr. Clean Magic Erasor. It is the original with no chemicals. It removed algae like magic lol. It has made cleaning the acrylic so much easier. I don't know if it will harm polish becuase my tank had very fine scratches prior to using this so you may want ot try it on an isolated hidden area.

02/01/2013, 08:18 PM	#7
reefdude3749 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 77	Thanks for all of the advice...appreciated. JPB

02/02/2013, 12:35 AM	#9
ziareefer Moved On Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NM Posts: 33	+1 on the Mr. Clean Magic Erasor