Best way to clean acrylic tank?

[jpshoemaker46]

I was just curious on what is the best way to clean an acrylic tank? Have a lot of hard algae spots, which is hard to scrape off. I was curious on which tools or whatever helps the cleaning process? Thanks reefing fam!

 

[KrisReef]

I use a plastic putty knife, old credit or hotel key cards, and for deeper tanks, without getting wet ;

Continuum Aquatics AquaBlade P - Acrylic Safe Aquarium Scraper w/ Plastic Blade, Long, 24-inches​

I am redoing a tank now and filled it and added muriatic acid, enough to lower pH below 6.0, (I went to 2.0) and the scale will dissolve, or tough scale slides off with the scrapers mentioned above, after lowering the pH.

 

[jpshoemaker46]

I use a plastic putty knife, old credit or hotel key cards, and for deeper tanks, without getting wet ;

Continuum Aquatics AquaBlade P - Acrylic Safe Aquarium Scraper w/ Plastic Blade, Long, 24-inches​

I am redoing a tank now and filled it and added muriatic acid, enough to lower pH below 6.0, (I went to 2.0) and the scale will dissolve, or tough scale slides off with the scrapers mentioned above, after lowering the pH.

I've have been using a toothbrush and its been rough hah. Might use the putty knife to see if that works! Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[KrisReef]

I've have been using a toothbrush and its been rough hah. Might use the putty knife to see if that works! Thanks for the recommendations!

Forgot to mention Mr Clean Magic erasers. I use generic melamin sponges from eBay because they are a lot cheaper. And of course you are welcome. Always becareful if you are working near the sand. One stray pebble can ruin your day.

 

[jpshoemaker46]

Forgot to mention Mr Clean Magic erasers. I use generic melamin sponges from eBay because they are a lot cheaper. And of course you are welcome. Always becareful if you are working near the sand. One stray pebble can ruin your day.

I will keep that in mind thanks a ton!!

 

[victorcan]

i Just picked up a 450 gallon acrylic tank and picked up some novus 1-2-3 compound.. I hired a local etailer and he laughed at the Novus brand and said, i have the best stuff around, Perfect it by 3M.. TANK LOOKS GREAT BUT NOW after talking tnother hobbist tha total loss?at warned the 3M might be toxic? I just finished buiklding the stand and am petrified my tank may be a total loss? Anyone with any experience on this? How can I clean it to guarantee the livestock wont die because of it. Please help Im capping myself now

 

[Pistondog]

You can get credit card size blanks on amazon. Use to scrape coraline off.

 

[vetteguy53081]

i Just picked up a 450 gallon acrylic tank and picked up some novus 1-2-3 compound.. I hired a local etailer and he laughed at the Novus brand and said, i have the best stuff around, Perfect it by 3M.. TANK LOOKS GREAT BUT NOW after talking tnother hobbist tha total loss?at warned the 3M might be toxic? I just finished buiklding the stand and am petrified my tank may be a total loss? Anyone with any experience on this? How can I clean it to guarantee the livestock wont die because of it. Please help Im capping myself now

I have had great luck with NOVUS although labor intense. For coraline, Edge of old credit card or Plastic putty knife works well BUT assure tank is wet

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

Continuum scrapers are the way to go. Use a file to keep the blade edges crisp.

 

[jpshoemaker46]

I’ve learned that there are so many ways! Just be careful not to scratch the acrylic… sadly I’ve done that before…

 

[KrisReef]

i Just picked up a 450 gallon acrylic tank and picked up some novus 1-2-3 compound.. I hired a local etailer and he laughed at the Novus brand and said, i have the best stuff around, Perfect it by 3M.. TANK LOOKS GREAT BUT NOW after talking tnother hobbist tha total loss?at warned the 3M might be toxic? I just finished buiklding the stand and am petrified my tank may be a total loss? Anyone with any experience on this? How can I clean it to guarantee the livestock wont die because of it. Please help Im capping myself now

You can’t risk it, but I will take the tank off of your hands, no charge just to help you out in this situation.

You need to be happy with the beautiful tank and quit worrying about invisible toxins that might somehow be hidden in the seams of your tank. If they were present you would die from them faster than any fish but since you seem to be still alive I would be happy to take that tank out of your life if it would help you sleep better?

 

[jpshoemaker46]

 

[victorcan]

You can’t risk it, but I will take the tank off of your hands, no charge just to help you out in this situation.

You need to be happy with the beautiful tank and quit worrying about invisible toxins that might somehow be hidden in the seams of your tank. If they were present you would die from them faster than any fish but since you seem to be still alive I would be happy to take that tank out of your life if it would help you sleep better?

lol thanks I guess I’m just nervous I have never had acrylic before, glass is a totally different animal none the less I appreciate you bringing a comedic lighter view of my fear of losing $4k of livestock, I’ll be moving everything from my current 220g system. I was going to wash it out with Vinager and RO water? Any suggestion or precautions I should consider? My stand is almost complete just needs some paint and I can move this into place and make the swap..
Here’s some pics of the project, So psyched have wanted a monster tank for decades

 

[jpshoemaker46]

lol thanks I guess I’m just nervous I have never had acrylic before, glass is a totally different animal none the less I appreciate you bringing a comedic lighter view of my fear of losing $4k of livestock, I’ll be moving everything from my current 220g system. I was going to wash it out with Vinager and RO water? Any suggestion or precautions I should consider? My stand is almost complete just needs some paint and I can move this into place and make the swap..
Here’s some pics of the project, So psyched have wanted a monster tank for decades

Yo first off that looks awesome and I can’t wait to see the end product and two that should be just fine! Acrylic is pretty easy to clean just needs attention for algae buildup!

 

[bakbay]

I’m in a same boat — getting my AA 360g restored by pros this weekend! It will be my first acrylic reef tank so definitely following along for pointers.

 

[bakbay]

Speaking of cleaning: what’s a good magnetic algae scrubber - Mag-float? My wall thickness is 3/4”.

 

[jpshoemaker46]

I’m in a same boat — getting my AA 360g restored by pros this weekend! It will be my first acrylic reef tank so definitely following along for pointers.

Dang I wish I had big tanks like you guys! Definitely a goal of mine!

 

[jpshoemaker46]

Speaking of cleaning: what’s a good magnetic algae scrubber - Mag-float? My wall thickness is 3/4”.

I don’t have magnetic but I use an aqua blade! Totally works for me!

 

[bakbay]

I don’t have magnetic but I use an aqua blade! Totally works for me!

I have that as well but I need to cover 8x2 (front) and 3x2 (side). Love the Flipper Max on my glass tanks but can’t really use it here right?

 

[jpshoemaker46]

If the blade is metal I wouldn't use it. Ive done that before and poor outcome...