Cleaning textured overflow surface

[clowner]

Maybe paper towels dipped in vinegar and drapped over might be a safer route to take

 

[clowner]

Honestly though, i wouldnt bother, it is going to end up recovered in the stuff anyways

 

[James Barton]

Honestly though, i wouldnt bother, it is going to end up recovered in the stuff anyways

The reason I want it clean is because I plan on keeping the back glass black without being cover in coralline. I don't care for the look of it.

This is also why I plan on getting some sort of black plastic or something smooth I can put over that area to make cleaning it easier.

 

[clowner]

The reason I want it clean is because I plan on keeping the back glass black without being cover in coralline. I don't care for the look of it.

This is also why I plan on getting some sort of black plastic or something smooth I can put over that area to make cleaning it easier.

Then maybe get a rubber paint like the one they use to waterproof plywood aquariums and painting over it ,
I agree with saltyfilmfolks sanding it might be the way to go

 

[James Barton]

I may consider it, although the muriatic acid diluted in a spray bottle is getting it done. Just have a few some stubborn spots that are going to take a little longer.

After this is done I'll be able to clean up the back glass and roll some black vinyl on it.

 

[john.m.cole3]

Glad you got your calcium deposit issue resolved. As for keeping the overflow tidy... Have you ever considered a magnetic cover that could hold frags? I know a guy that custom builds things like this for fairly cheap compared to what I've seen out there. Go to facebook and check out a page called Aquarocks. The guy builds everything by hand, has reasonable proces, and is very quick at getting your order to you. Lots of visual examples on his page.

 

[James Barton]

I don't look forward to ever doing that again! Lol

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I don't look forward to ever doing that again! Lol

So your not going to come do mine?
Too bad. You do good work.

 

[xjiang7]

Critic acid is safer and you can by powder to mix yourself

 

[James Barton]

That ended up being an all day task! I'll put the vinyl on tomorrow.

 

[ElectricMusic]

You could slice up a few live rocks (so one side is flat) and cover the overflow in a "natural" looking way. Glue them on with silicone and fill in any gaps with Marco 400. Then all you would have exposed on the back would be the glass. You could let the corraline algae grow on the rock and everything would look natural. I have not done it myself but have seen it done and it looks great.

 

[James Barton]

You could slice up a few live rocks (so one side is flat) and cover the overflow in a "natural" looking way. Glue them on with silicone and fill in any gaps with Marco 400. Then all you would have exposed on the back would be the glass. You could let the corraline algae grow on the rock and everything would look natural. I have not done it myself but have seen it done and it looks great.

Sounds like a lot of work! I'll have to look into it though, thanks!

 

[dmw913]

I would have voted for citric acid too. That's how I clean my stuff. Looks great!

 

[Cyricdark]

Probably the easiest way to make it "cleanable" would be to have some thin pieces of glass cut to fit it, if you have a Lowe's nearby could get it done for less than 20$ then paint the back of the glass black and silicone it with reef safe silicone to the overflow then you could scrape it with metal scraper or razorblade to keep it clean

 

[James Barton]

Probably the easiest way to make it "cleanable" would be to have some thin pieces of glass cut to fit it, if you have a Lowe's nearby could get it done for less than 20$ then paint the back of the glass black and silicone it with reef safe silicone to the overflow then you could scrape it with metal scraper or razorblade to keep it clean

Seriously considering this. I'll have to go by Lowe's. I didn't know they could cut glass?

 

[Cyricdark]

Seriously considering this. I'll have to go by Lowe's. I didn't know they could cut glass?

Yep they will have a Booth by the plexiglass with one of those etch and break cutters and different size sheets of glass, they cut it for free, you should be able to find a piece that they can make all three pieces out of for around 20$

 

[James Barton]

Yep they will have a Booth by the plexiglass with one of those etch and break cutters and different size sheets of glass, they cut it for free, you should be able to find a piece that they can make all three pieces out of for around 20$

How about home depot? They should have the same?

 

[McArcher]

Sounds like a lot of work! I'll have to look into it though, thanks!

A lot of work up front, but over time a lot less work than constantly scraping coralline algae off!

 

[Dancingmad]

I use pickling vinegar - higher % acid level. Usually i can just peel the coraline algea right off after a 10m soak. Great stuff

 

[Philt56]

Be careful you don't get the acid on the tank seals and possibly weaken the joints.