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Acrylic cleaning advice?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Bigkel, Nov 8, 2013.

  1. Bigkel

    Bigkel Inactive User

    326
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    Ok so this is my first acrylic tank and I've gone thru the wet sanding process to remove a lot of scratches it had accumulated over the years(bought it used ). I've always been a scraper kinda guy when keeping the glass clean and I would love some feedback from you guys on which you prefer, the scraper or Magfloat? And yes I know you don't use metal scrapers on acrylic, but they have the plastic ones.
     
  2. nrenn Well-Known ReefKeeper

    311
    Waverly, Iowa
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    Magfloat for your day to day cleaning, but keep a scraper on hand for coraline algae and when you fall behind and have green algae build up. Be careful when scrubbing not to pick up any bits of sand or loose coraline between the acrylic and scrubber.
     
  3. Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    West Des Moines, IA
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    +1,818 / 14 / -0
    You can also use acrylic safe pads and put those under the magnet. Watch some LA Fishguys videos, every time he cleans an acrylic tank he makes a point to outline his process on how to ensure not scratching the tank.
     
  4. daalbers

    daalbers Well-Known ReefKeeper

    562
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    I use a magic eraser they work great
     
  5. Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    West Des Moines, IA
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    I'm pretty sure that a magic eraser would scratch acrylic. You wouldn't see it when the tank is full but dry it out and it would look like a hot mess. That would leave behind a hidden algae magnet - fine rough surface would allow algae to grow back much faster. But I could be wrong, I haven't tried it
     
  6. mpivit Well-Known ReefKeeper

    494
    Dubuque
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    +28 / 1 / -0
    I've read that the magic erasers are equivalent to 3600 grit wet sandpaper. I've been using one lately as a pad under a magnet cleaner and can't see any scratches.....yet
     
  7. Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    West Des Moines, IA
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    Well, ok, but if you cone to fall fest I'll show you what 6000 grit wet/dry does to a brand new piece of acrylic.
     
  8. Bigkel

    Bigkel Inactive User

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    Man, this is good stuff guys. Thanks for all the input.
     
  9. Railcar79

    Railcar79 Inactive User

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    Craig over at AC&C uses magic erasers for cleaning, and some Kent scrapers with the red plastic blades for scraping the real stubborn Corraline.
     
  10. Bigkel

    Bigkel Inactive User

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    Alright you guys have given great advice and opinions on the inside care but what about the outside of the tank? Is something like Windex to abrasive for wiping down finger prints and stuff?
     
  11. Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    West Des Moines, IA
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    +1,818 / 14 / -0

    never never never use windex on acrylic. Or any other cleaner like that.


    Spray water on the surface and wipe with a clean soft cloth. That's all you need.


    If anything else, use Brillianize acrylic cleaner.



    http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&am...xmo2d4il_b
     
  12. Railcar79

    Railcar79 Inactive User

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    I like the Kent acrylic and glass cleaner. Spray it directly on the surface, wipe down with a paper towel, and use a dry paper towel to buff it. I use the blue paper towels from Walmart automotive section
     
  13. daalbers

    daalbers Well-Known ReefKeeper

    562
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    Posted By Turbo's Aquatics on 11/11/2013 4:25 PM
    never never never use windex on acrylic. Or any other cleaner like that.

    Spray water on the surface and wipe with a clean soft cloth. That's all you need
    Yip what bud said water is all you need
    2
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
  14. Bigkel

    Bigkel Inactive User

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    Awesome! Would of never thought of just water! Lol Thanks
     

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