Can you repair scratches on a glass tank?

[hammcd]

I have a biocube 14 but cycling a biocube 29 at the moment...i came home todya and did my cleaning ritual which includes using a mag float on the glass...i didnt realize it but a snail was rising on the mag float...its shell made 3 2 inch long scratches on the glass...i will be transferring the contents of this tank in about 3 weeks and breaking this one down
is it possible after the tank is dry to repair the scratches in the glass?..they seem to be pretty shallow...can they be buffed out?...ive also heard about using fingernail polish remover...any ideas?
thanks

 

[hnguyen]

To my best understanding of glass. You can't remove scratches. But I could be wrong so hopefully someone that knows more then me will chime in on this.

 

[cr500_af]

It can be done, but you end up with optical imperfections (waviness)... also it is not a fast or easy thing to do. Somebody in the industry may make something, but I know Eastwood Automotive (they specialize in tools for restoration) makes a kit to polish scratched windshields.

 

[johnmackay70]

what you would need is cerium oxide powder and a couple of hours with a buffing pad (on a drill or high speed buffer). I remember seeing someone post an article detailing them fixing a glass tank - the article had picture and tips - cant remember where I saw it thoght.

You can get cerium oxide on amazon.com for around $20 a lb.

The tank will not be perfect afterwards, but it can be done depending on how deep the scratch is.

 

[ichthyoid]

I would try toothpast first.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4796041_remove-scratches-window-glass.html">http://www.ehow.com/how_4796041_remove-scratches-window-glass.html</a>

I also find it hard to believe a snail shell scratched glass. That's strange. Maybe there was some sand trapped under it's shell. Hmmm?

 

[seedless reefer]

There is an article in last months Car Craft on removing scratches from windshields. If the scratch can be felt with a fingernail you are outta luck.

 

[hammcd]

thanks i may try the toothepaste and nail polish first, if that doesnt work may get some of that buffing powder..the scratches arent bad, but my OCD wont tolerate them ...yeah ill learn to look for joyriding snails in the future

 

[smartwater]

+1 cerium oxide powder but most likely going to make small scratches worse. Just get the big deep ones lightened up and fill up the tank w/ water and the water lighting combo may just hide them.

 

[wmboots]

sounds like someone else has the same problem I have and I keep finding more and more scratches every week. I don't use scrubbers of any type the only explanation I have found is just salt water etching on an old tank (over 10 years old) I'm now looking for a 125 or 150 rr

 

[hnguyen]

see, I stand corrected.. :doh: