Cleaning an acrylic tank

[johniii]

How do I get dead coraline algea of the acrylic without scratching it? Will vinegar work?

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[jeffmuse]

Vinegar will help, but you will need an acrylic scraper like the one made by Kent Marine to really get the dead coraline off of the tank. As long as it is a plastic scrapper, there should be no scratches.

 

[patrick]

Be careful though not to get the scraped off coraline between the scraper and the acrylic or you can scratch it that way. I have a 155 custom acrylic that has the sides covered in coralline....that's why it is sitting empty in storage.....because getting it off without any scratches is difficult. It will likely need to be buffed afterwards in order to be pristine. Is there anyone around here that does that sort of work? I wouldn't mind getting that tank back on line.

 

[lilrobb]

Love me some muriatic acid...

 

[snowmansnow]

you WILL scratch the tank with an acrylic scraper eventually.

I would vinegar soak and then use acrylic safe pad to scrub it off gently

 

[patrick]

LilRobb;732958 wrote: Love me some muriatic acid...

Me too. Awesome stuff. Cleans coraline off stuff like nothing else.

 

[jbdreefs]

LilRobb;732958 wrote: Love me some muriatic acid...

You don't use it straight do you? What mixture ratio do you use? I'm just curious for my future needs.

thanks!

I buffed my 125 late last year. Turned out pretty well, but it was in terrible shape when I started. Had to take a power sander to it, eventually, and then buff.

I recently bought another acryllic tank that has some light scratches on it. You would be more than welcome to come join me when I buff it. I hope buffing, alone, does the job.

 

[patrick]

I used the muratic acid straight. I put it in all plastic spray bottles from HD and used gloves and a mask......the fumes can be quite harmful to mucous membranes and lungs......if inhaled deep enough. I then rinse with copious amount of water. It also works great on any weeds you want to lay waste to. It has a pH near 2 if I recall correctly......of course that depends on the concentration. I used the spa stuff from HD.

 

[rolo65]

Patrick;733439 wrote: I used the muratic acid straight. I put it in all plastic spray bottles from HD and used gloves and a mask......the fumes can be quite harmful to mucous membranes and lungs......if inhaled deep enough. I then rinse with copious amount of water. It also works great on any weeds you want to lay waste to.

or in a few months.....fire ant beds.....

 

[patrick]

rolo65;733444 wrote: or in a few months.....fire ant beds.....

LOL. If Im bored. Amdro has wiped them all out for me so far. But good point. I hate those little bass tards.