Cleaning Acrylic?

Eienna · Jan 15, 2014

I need to know how to clean the sides of my new acrylic tank without scratching it. What's the safest way to do it?

kschweer · Jan 15, 2014

What are you trying to clean off? Coraline? Slime algae? Also is the tank set up already or are you cleaning it to set it up?

Eienna · Jan 15, 2014

I was referring to regular maintenance, but yeah, I do need to clean it for setup.

kschweer · Jan 15, 2014

Just make sure any cleaning tools you get are made for use with acrylic because the ones made for glass will more than likely scratch the acrylic. Cleaning tools for acrylic normally have white pads instead if the blue for glass. Most manufacturers of magnetic cleaners make ones for acrylic as well.

As far as cleaning it up before setting things up, some distilled vinegar and an acrylic scrub pad will go a long way. Hope this helps

Reefing Madness · Jan 15, 2014

Cleaning before set up, use vinegar and water.

Eienna · Jan 15, 2014

Think I could use a soft, clean cloth on it?

Orrrr maybe wet paper towels?

Eienna · Jan 16, 2014

I'll use the vinegar and water, but what do I use to wipe it?

Small triggers · Jan 16, 2014

Regular magic erasers....

Eienna · Jan 16, 2014

Small triggers said:
Regular magic erasers....

A what?
I feel like I should know what that is. Photo, maybe?

NanaReefer · Jan 16, 2014

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Eienna · Jan 16, 2014

NanaReefer said:
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Ah...
I don't have one of those.

Now I'm worried I might not be able to clean it without buying something. Great.

warhorseart · Jan 16, 2014

Just make sure you get the ORIGINAL Mr Clean Magic Eraser

Eienna · Jan 16, 2014

I opted for a brand-new sponge and a vinegar/RODI water mixture. Tested it on the back first. Worked pretty well.

kschweer · Jan 16, 2014

If you're using a sponge make sure you use just the sponge side not the green scrub side. The green will scratch the acrylic.

Eienna · Jan 16, 2014

kschweer said:
If you're using a sponge make sure you use just the sponge side not the green scrub side. The green will scratch the acrylic.

I figured that, but thanks for the heads-up.

Tank itself is nice and clean now n_____n

jservedio · Jan 16, 2014

kschweer said:
If you're using a sponge make sure you use just the sponge side not the green scrub side. The green will scratch the acrylic.

If you have an acrylic lid and want to diffuse LED light a little, the rough side of the sponge works REALLY well for "fogging" the acrylic. It makes a bunch of super, super fine scratches that make it look foggy and decrease and diffuse the light going through it. It was the perfect solution for toning down the LED light's power over my 2g pico at work to keep my chalices from bleaching.

Eienna · Jan 16, 2014

jservedio said:
If you have an acrylic lid and want to diffuse LED light a little, the rough side of the sponge works REALLY well for "fogging" the acrylic. It makes a bunch of super, super fine scratches that make it look foggy and decrease and diffuse the light going through it. It was the perfect solution for toning down the LED light's power over my 2g pico at work to keep my chalices from bleaching.

It's actually already fogged...as if it was made that way.