Acrylic myth

[kenjung]

I thought I share my large tank cleaning effort cleaning can become a chore take away the fun, especially as the tank mature. I was under impression from reading forums that don't use metal blade when cleaning acrylic, I kept using blade recommended for acrylic ended up very disappointed and scratch the acrylic panel from putting too much pressure on blade. My tank is 8 x 3 x 3 so it's not easy to clean the hard algae. I almost tear it down. A few months ago I picked up Flipper Max again I use acrylic blade and then I thought it was a total waste of money, corraline algae was taking over tank. I switch out the Fipper max acrylic blade to metal blade on the Flipper and wow, collaline algae just so easy like cutting through butter. It's fun again, cleaning hard algae usually take me several hours with acrylic blade and usually not very successful corner area are skip, now 30 minute max display tank panels are free of coralline algae. There are no scratch from the Flipper Max metal blade, I don't know of any gear recently made such a different as time saver.

 

[Big Smelly fish]

I prefer acrylic over glass and alway use a plastic scraper or credit card to clean. My main tank is 29 years old and still looking great. I have never used a metal scraper but guess if you are careful.

 

[Enderg60]

In the long long ago the LFS I worked at had a 4x4x8 acrylic display that we cleaned with metal blades. The only scratches inside the tank were from falling rocks.

Just be aware, all it takes is one slip up and youre screwed.

 

[Big Smelly fish]

In the long long ago the LFS I worked at had a 4x4x8 acrylic display that we cleaned with metal blades. The only scratches inside the tank were from falling rocks.

Just be aware, all it takes is one slip up and youre screwed.

That’s right. Just get the angle wrong one time and good chance of scratching.

 

[Devaji]

I prefer acrylic over glass and alway use a plastic scraper or credit card to clean. My main tank is 29 years old and still looking great. I have never used a metal scraper but guess if you are careful.

wow 29 years old and not scratched up? crazy post a pic please. I am thinking of a large tank for a FOWLR in 2 years time. love how light acrylic is compared to glass but SO scared of scratching it all up...such a huge investment.

 

[albano]

I have posted many times on a few different forums, that I have used metal ‘blades’ and razor blades on my acrylic tanks since 1988.
My ‘secret’ was to round off the 90* corners on the ends with my dremel.

And I do have acrylic tanks from the 90s that can still pass as brand new.

 

[Devaji]

I have posted many times on a few different forums, that I have used metal ‘blades’ and razor blades on my acrylic tanks since 1988.
My ‘secret’ was to round off the 90* corners on the ends with my dremel.

And I do have acrylic tanks from the 90s that can still pass as brand new.

what about the myth of them yellowing over time? really thing about a large acrylic tank.

 

[Enderg60]

My ‘secret’ was to round off the 90* corners on the ends with my dremel.

Now THAT is a good tip!

 

[albano]

what about the myth of them yellowing over time? really thing about a large acrylic tank.

The oldest tank that I still have is a 120g Tenecor tank that I had built in about 1995,
It is 1 piece front and both sides, I believe 3/8” thick and never yellowed. Had MH bulbs for at least 10 (?) years.

This pic was taken this month. 120g tank that I can pick
up and put on a stand by myself !

 

[Piscans]

The oldest tank that I still have is a 120g Tenecor tank that I had built in about 1995,
It is 1 piece front and both sides, I believe 3/8” thick and never yellowed. Had MH bulbs for at least 10 (?) years.

This pic was taken this month. 120g tank that I can pick
up and put on a stand by myself !

can you lift it by the brace?

 

[albano]

can you lift it by the brace?

Not when full!

 

[Devaji]

The oldest tank that I still have is a 120g Tenecor tank that I had built in about 1995,
It is 1 piece front and both sides, I believe 3/8” thick and never yellowed. Had MH bulbs for at least 10 (?) years.

This pic was taken this month. 120g tank that I can pick
up and put on a stand by myself !

thank you. I have been talking to them very early stages of a possable large build. glad to hear you liked there tanks. and yes the weight of acrylic it a huge factor in going acrylic over glass. just moved a 19mm 170 gal red sea tank today well 2 of them really and took 4 guys. years ago one of my 1st few tanks 1st year in reefing is had a CG -240 and 2 guys could move that no problem.