I clean acrylic tanks 5 days a week. They're not that hard to keep clean and scratch free. Just like any job, you need to the right tools.
1. Kent Pro Scraper will handle most of what you're trying to do. I replace my kent blade weekly, sometimes more often. Your blade should last must longer. Flip it over to make it last longer.
2. Magnavore Pads for acrylic work really well for corners and are geat on a good magnet for soft algae. I prefer the Algae Free brand magnet scrapers. Magfloats aren't strong enough and Magnavores break.
3. We do have our own scraper at MRC. It's a material just softer than acrylic, so it gives you a pretty sharp edge that lasts a while. It works well on coraline. Call to order: Phone: (678) 407-3773
4. If you're going to clean the algae in front of your sand bed, remove the blade from your pro scraper, pull the sand back, replace the blade, and then clean the algae. Always do this last so you don't have sand floating in the water while trying to clean the higher sections of the tank.
5. Never clean a tank while you have sand floating in the water. Small pieces will land on your scraper and on your pads.
6. Watch what you're doing. A major scratch can be avoided if you're paying attention.
