How to scrape coraline algae off acrlic - Reef-Geeks

Marlinmero · Reef-Geek

Im going to go get a 125gallon acrylic tank today and i need to know how to clean it. this will be my first acrylic tank and i know they scratch easy. other wise id just take a razor blade to it

Sneezy · Big-Geek

I use a combo of an old credit card and a Scotch Brite Dobe pad. Start in a corner that you can't see normally and go SLOOOOOWWWW and see if it scratches. If it doesn't then all you can do is slowly start scraping. If you get in a hurry you will start scratching it. The best move is to do a little bit and then take a break and if you get tired of it then walk away for a few hours.

Kerickson978 · Whats up?

there are special plastic algae scrapers for acryllic as well, pretty much the same thing as a credit card only its less flexible. either way take it slow, pay attention and you should be fine

Marlinmero · Reef-Geek

Im going to try the mr. clean magic erasers and then the credit card trick as well. im kinda anxious to get this new tank set up. may be a little while thoe. i need that gen-x pump i sold back. lol

spinycheek · Insert Custom Title Here

Don't magic erasers have chemicals in them? I'd be scared to put it my tank.

chris&barb · Lost

They are alkaline based and are safe for fish tanks but i would still be worried about scratching with it. White vinegar will help soften the coralline. Dump some on it and let it soak for a while before you start scraping.

Kerickson978 · Whats up?

ive got a new never used Gen-X PCX 40 that i wont ever use unless i build a pond in the backyard...

Marlinmero · Reef-Geek

Nice. i'll keep that in mind if my dad wont sell me mine back. he bought mine to do a water fall down the front yard and dont think its going to happen.
Well i tried just a mr.clean and thats going to take years. so im buying a gallon of vinegar or two after work and am going to soak it. thinkin about doing it over night. someone suggested soaking paper towels in vinegar and moreless wallpapering the tank and then just use a spray bottle to keep the towels moist.

chris&barb · Lost

Quote:

someone suggested soaking paper towels in vinegar and moreless wallpapering the tank and then just use a spray bottle to keep the towels moist.

Never thought about doing that. It might work but as the coralline dissolves it neutralizes the vinegar, with just a small amount in the paper towel it might get neutralized very quickly. Its worth a shot though.

Sneezy · Big-Geek

How's the removal going Marlin? got any pic's?

sykowrek · Newbie-Geek

dont buy acryilic and damn sure dont use no mr clean products but hey who am i

Thinkin Reef · Greeter Of New Geeks

You can get a "kent marine" algae scraper for acryllic tanks

Marlinmero · Reef-Geek

Sorry skinz the removal whent awesome. it took 2 gallons of vinegar but it worked awesome. i turned the tank on its front and added vinegar till there was a good quarter inch of coverage then let it sit for like 4 hours. and i just did that to each side. took a few days but it was easy. the vinegar took it right off. i more less just had to spray it off.

Reefdaddy · Geek Squad Jedi

Great Job, Looks real clean now. You did well.

Marlinmero · Reef-Geek

thank you. i need to fill it up with water now so i can see if all the little scuffs and scratches will go away when filled

Barbara · Geekette

It looks MUCH better!

sykowrek · Newbie-Geek

yea it looks good but acryilic isnt always a good choice if u have a habit of rushing which i see u dont

billrob71 · Will work for CLAMS

Tank turned out pretty nice. lets see some water in it!!

Sneezy · Big-Geek

Looking good Marlin.

Marlinmero · Reef-Geek

lol wow i forgot about this thread until i did a search on bing for an coraline algae scraper for acrylic tanks and this thread popped up. what are the odds. lol

[1 (permalink)] Posted by Marlinmero 09-21-2009, 07:30 PM	Reef-Geek
How to scrape coraline algae off acrlic Im going to go get a 125gallon acrylic tank today and i need to know how to clean it. this will be my first acrylic tank and i know they scratch easy. other wise id just take a razor blade to it	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Olympia Posts: 471 Gameroom cash: $197480 Rep Power: 12
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[3 (permalink)] Posted by Kerickson978 09-21-2009, 08:05 PM	Whats up?
there are special plastic algae scrapers for acryllic as well, pretty much the same thing as a credit card only its less flexible. either way take it slow, pay attention and you should be fine __________________ Keith	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Morrison, CO Posts: 1,627 Gameroom cash: $455260 Rep Power: 36
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[7 (permalink)] Posted by Kerickson978 09-22-2009, 01:07 PM	Whats up?
ive got a new never used Gen-X PCX 40 that i wont ever use unless i build a pond in the backyard... __________________ Keith	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Morrison, CO Posts: 1,627 Gameroom cash: $455260 Rep Power: 36
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[12 (permalink)] Posted by Thinkin Reef 10-27-2009, 01:02 AM	Greeter Of New Geeks
You can get a "kent marine" algae scraper for acryllic tanks __________________ Wal-Mart Greeter http://www.reef-geeks.com/forums/	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 4,130 Gameroom cash: $1044957 Rep Power: 72
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[14 (permalink)] Posted by Reefdaddy 10-27-2009, 03:44 PM	Geek Squad Jedi
Great Job, Looks real clean now. You did well. __________________ "A man in a rush takes shortcuts, and I won't shortcut the Music" Eddie Wilson 1963 Jedi Tank Build	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 911 Gameroom cash: $60438 Rep Power: 18
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[2 (permalink)] Posted by Sneezy 09-21-2009, 07:58 PM	Big-Geek
I use a combo of an old credit card and a Scotch Brite Dobe pad. Start in a corner that you can't see normally and go SLOOOOOWWWW and see if it scratches. If it doesn't then all you can do is slowly start scraping. If you get in a hurry you will start scratching it. The best move is to do a little bit and then take a break and if you get tired of it then walk away for a few hours.	Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9,197 Gameroom cash: $66 Rep Power: 116
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[4 (permalink)] Posted by Marlinmero 09-22-2009, 01:08 AM	Reef-Geek
Im going to try the mr. clean magic erasers and then the credit card trick as well. im kinda anxious to get this new tank set up. may be a little while thoe. i need that gen-x pump i sold back. lol	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Olympia Posts: 471 Gameroom cash: $197480 Rep Power: 12
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[5 (permalink)] Posted by spinycheek 09-22-2009, 01:19 AM	Insert Custom Title Here
Don't magic erasers have chemicals in them? I'd be scared to put it my tank.	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 4,277 Gameroom cash: $1307222 Rep Power: 82
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[6 (permalink)] Posted by chris&barb 09-22-2009, 08:30 AM	Lost
They are alkaline based and are safe for fish tanks but i would still be worried about scratching with it. White vinegar will help soften the coralline. Dump some on it and let it soak for a while before you start scraping.	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: De Posts: 12,272 Gameroom cash: $3501040 Rep Power: 100
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[8 (permalink)] Posted by Marlinmero 09-22-2009, 07:15 PM	Reef-Geek
Nice. i'll keep that in mind if my dad wont sell me mine back. he bought mine to do a water fall down the front yard and dont think its going to happen. Well i tried just a mr.clean and thats going to take years. so im buying a gallon of vinegar or two after work and am going to soak it. thinkin about doing it over night. someone suggested soaking paper towels in vinegar and moreless wallpapering the tank and then just use a spray bottle to keep the towels moist.	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Olympia Posts: 471 Gameroom cash: $197480 Rep Power: 12
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[10 (permalink)] Posted by Sneezy 09-23-2009, 11:36 PM	Big-Geek
How's the removal going Marlin? got any pic's?	Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9,197 Gameroom cash: $66 Rep Power: 116
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[11 (permalink)] Posted by sykowrek 10-26-2009, 11:59 PM	Newbie-Geek
dont buy acryilic and damn sure dont use no mr clean products but hey who am i	Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 12 Gameroom cash: $22925 Rep Power: 4
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[13 (permalink)] Posted by Marlinmero 10-27-2009, 03:01 PM	Reef-Geek
Sorry skinz the removal whent awesome. it took 2 gallons of vinegar but it worked awesome. i turned the tank on its front and added vinegar till there was a good quarter inch of coverage then let it sit for like 4 hours. and i just did that to each side. took a few days but it was easy. the vinegar took it right off. i more less just had to spray it off.	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Olympia Posts: 471 Gameroom cash: $197480 Rep Power: 12
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[15 (permalink)] Posted by Marlinmero 10-27-2009, 04:30 PM	Reef-Geek
thank you. i need to fill it up with water now so i can see if all the little scuffs and scratches will go away when filled	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Olympia Posts: 471 Gameroom cash: $197480 Rep Power: 12
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[16 (permalink)] Posted by Barbara 10-27-2009, 06:15 PM	Geekette
It looks MUCH better!	Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,856 Gameroom cash: $4013819 Rep Power: 100
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[17 (permalink)] Posted by sykowrek 10-27-2009, 10:26 PM	Newbie-Geek
yea it looks good but acryilic isnt always a good choice if u have a habit of rushing which i see u dont	Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 12 Gameroom cash: $22925 Rep Power: 4
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[18 (permalink)] Posted by billrob71 10-27-2009, 10:36 PM	Will work for CLAMS
Tank turned out pretty nice. lets see some water in it!! __________________ Why is the rum always gone	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 6,413 Gameroom cash: $1737675 Rep Power: 94
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[19 (permalink)] Posted by Sneezy 10-27-2009, 10:47 PM	Big-Geek
Looking good Marlin.	Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9,197 Gameroom cash: $66 Rep Power: 116
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[20 (permalink)] Posted by Marlinmero 07-10-2011, 06:53 PM	Reef-Geek
lol wow i forgot about this thread until i did a search on bing for an coraline algae scraper for acrylic tanks and this thread popped up. what are the odds. lol	Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Olympia Posts: 471 Gameroom cash: $197480 Rep Power: 12
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