Can I get this glass tank clean?

[Reefacist]

Hi

quick question. I’m still in the process of getting my first tank ready and wanted to know of any solutions in cleaning old lines created by the old weir/overflow box.

basically my tank that I bought used had a top to bottom overflow/weir and I changed it out for a modular marine ghost overflow. When I removed the old acrylic overflow I noticed there are 2 lines where the acrylic met the glass. I can not clean it. I tried vinegar and bartenders friend.

Any suggestions? I mean one is in the back glass which is painted and doesn’t matter but the other side is at a highly visible are and I would love to clean it.

 

[fishguy242]

hi ,are you sure not silicone/adhesive?

 

[Reefacist]

hi ,are you sure not silicone/adhesive?

No. I already scrapped all that off with razor. I will post a pic tomorrow

 

[fishguy242]

try leaving vinegar soaked towel laying on overnight if watermark

 

[Reefacist]

Ok i def will. Just reg white vinegar and hang it on from the side? Maybe I can even tape it on. Thanks @fishguy242 ill let you know if it works

 

[Reefacist]

try leaving vinegar soaked towel laying on overnight if watermark

I let it sit almost 24hrs. Still nothing. Here is a pic to help.

 

[fishguy242]

Does it disappear when wet?? if not try again with razor blade looks like silicone to me

 

[Reefacist]

Does it disappear when wet?? if not try again with razor blade looks like silicone to me

haven’t filled it with water yet. I did a leak test but didn’t think to check the lines. I’ve tried the razor but it won’t come out. I’ll try again.

 

[Reefacist]

I’m close to ordering a new tank but I spent so much time cleaning and getting this ready.

 

[1ByLand2BySea]

Try pure Acetone but make sure you don't get it on the seems.
Other option is buffing it out with Cerium Oxide and appropriate drill buffing pad. This will take it out for sure but please make sure you read up on how to do it.
Cerium Oxide is used to remove scratched on the glass and it is a labor intensive process. But removing marking that you describes is pretty easy.

 

[fishguy242]

i mean just wet down the lines see if they disapper

 

[Reefacist]

Try pure Acetone but make sure you don't get it on the seems.
Other option is buffing it out with Cerium Oxide and appropriate drill buffing pad. This will take it out for sure but please make sure you read up on how to do it.
Cerium Oxide is used to remove scratched on the glass and it is a labor intensive process. But removing marking that you describes is pretty easy.

Tried pure acetone and no luck. I will order some cerium oxide ( I could've just ordered a new tank) and try. But do I need a buffer with a drill? Can I do it with some elbow grease? I don't want to break the tank at this point. Rocks almost ready to go in to start the cycle

i mean just wet down the lines see if they disapper

Unfortunately, it didn't do much. You can still see the line through the water. Imma try that cerium oxide route

 

[1ByLand2BySea]

Tried pure acetone and no luck. I will order some cerium oxide ( I could've just ordered a new tank) and try. But do I need a buffer with a drill? Can I do it with some elbow grease? I don't want to break the tank at this point. Rocks almost ready to go in to start the cycle


Unfortunately, it didn't do much. You can still see the line through the water. Imma try that cerium oxide route

Unfortunately it requires a bit more than just elbow grease and a pad. Please read up on the process about what speed to use on the drill, keeping the glass cool with a spray bottle, and do it gradually and one area at a time. I find this type of attachment the best for what you want to do.



And this a fine compound which is much easier than mixing up a slurry yourself.

 

[Reefacist]

Unfortunately it requires a bit more than just elbow grease and a pad. Please read up on the process about what speed to use on the drill, keeping the glass cool with a spray bottle, and do it gradually and one area at a time. I find this type of attachment the best for what you want to do.



And this a fine compound which is much easier than mixing up a slurry yourself.

Thank you for the links. Is it true that this gets the shine off of glass? One glass shop told me to not bother with trying to remove small scratches with cerium since it takes the shine out

 

[Bryant1991]

How about using 0000 steel wool. Detailing guys use it to polish windshields.

 

[1ByLand2BySea]

Thank you for the links. Is it true that this gets the shine off of glass? One glass shop told me to not bother with trying to remove small scratches with cerium since it takes the shine out

No it does not affect the shine. Cerium Oxide comes in different grade and if you use the fine, it will be just fine. I have used the compound that I mentioned for really fine and small scratches and markings on the glass without any issues.

 

[Reefacist]

No it does not affect the shine. Cerium Oxide comes in different grade and if you use the fine, it will be just fine. I have used the compound that I mentioned for really fine and small scratches and markings on the glass without any issues.

I couldn't get the shine off even with the cerium oxide. I think I couldn't get enough pressure on it. I did it 3 rounds but still didn't go away. I think I will try the 0000 steel and if that doesn't work then I will just live with the lines until my upgrade. I would just but a new 120 but I wanna go bigger as soon as I can get a hang of things so I will use this tank as my practice run before a nicer semi dream build.

Is cerium oxide poisonous for fish and coral? I can swear I can see a remnant in the silicone edges

 

[fishguy242]

hi,not sure

 

[Reefacist]

hi,not sure

shoot well I will clean some more but I was reading about it and seems I will be ok.

 

[1ByLand2BySea]

I couldn't get the shine off even with the cerium oxide. I think I couldn't get enough pressure on it. I did it 3 rounds but still didn't go away. I think I will try the 0000 steel and if that doesn't work then I will just live with the lines until my upgrade. I would just but a new 120 but I wanna go bigger as soon as I can get a hang of things so I will use this tank as my practice run before a nicer semi dream build.

Is cerium oxide poisonous for fish and coral? I can swear I can see a remnant in the silicone edges

As I was mentioning earlier it takes a lot of work even with the drill to do this. Cerium Oxide takes a layer of glass off. Not an easy task. You can use the 0000steel I suppose and polish it with the cerium oxide.
I don't believe it is poisenous but not something you want to leave in the tank. You should always put something like a towel the area so it won't splatter everywhere. If you have any left on the silicon, just take the tank outside, lay it on its side and hose it off with a brush. I have used it before to remove scratches in an operating reef tank. I dropped the water level, taped and cover the water surface with a plastic sheet and carefully removed any residue. No issues.