Cleaning the glass

[Cameron]

When I picked my tank up, it was already set up at a LFS, so it already had a few little scratches in the glass, but since then, I've added quite a few more. I have a mag float, and it has a habit of attracting pieces of sand or rock from my sand bed, and by the time I notice, I've already scratched it more. I was wondering how you clean your glass in order to avoid this. I know now that if I'm going to keep using the mag float, I can only go so low with it, not all the way to the sand bed like I'd like to. Do you guys actually use these or is there something else that you prefer?

 

[Cameron]

Also, is there a way to fix this other than tearing my whole tank down?

 

[lyrical]

I use the Flipper Magnetic Cleaner and it's awesome. It's more expensive but well worth the money. I don't know of any way to remove scratches from glass. Maybe someone else can help with that.

 

[DrayB]

same....flipper.
there are ways, but you will have to empty tank and polish them out. you can youtube various way to give you an idea of whats involved

 

[Cameron]

Ya, I don't want to get that far into trying to remove the scratches, especially when I'm sure I'll just do it again. This is my first tank, so I'm chalking it up to a learning experience. I'll look into the flipper. I want to get this problem solved now so that when I upgrade to a larger tank in the next couple of years, I already know exactly what not to do. Thank you guys for the input.

 

[CoralFreak_350]

I ditched the mag float over a year ago and will never look back. I got sick of it falling down to the bottom if I wasnt careful and then theres the scratches when somehow no matter how careful I was with it would always appear. I currently am using the Kent Pro Scraper to clean my glass and it does an awesome job. It can be a pain because your hand has to go in the tank but it is effective and prevents the scratches if you take your time. Also the blades (plastic or metal) are replaceable and are sold in packs but I rarely change mine out. This type of tool makes getting to areas easier than the mag float and is much easier to get coraline off the glass as well. Good luck and happy reefing

http://www.marinedepot.com/Kent_Mar...ers_Pads-Kent_Marine-KM00975-FIMTASHH-vi.html

 

[Cameron]

I like that. I think most of my problem is coming from the fact that the magnets are picking up rocks and stuff off of the bottom of the tank.

 

[CoralFreak_350]

Trust me for the little bit of aggravation it causes it produces a more clean look and the blade on it is pretty wide making it only a couple of swipes per side. Then to finish things up I have a cleaning pad that I use on the curved corners and this method removes everything. The blades and the whole setup resist and have no place for the sand to stick to reducing those scratches

 

[TheEngineer]

I use my hand and a paper towel.

 

[rogerrgr]

I use a long handled kent marine blade scraper. It's quick and easy and gets the film off the glass better. Outside of the tank, I spray windex on a paper towel away from the tank then clean. I do have a rimless aquarium so cleaning is 10x easier!

 

[jsker]

I had the same issue with an old tank. With my current tank I bought the tunze and was not happy. The next step was to get the scraper attachment for the mag float that I had and I am very happy with the out come. The glass is clean and I can get very low to the sand bed with out scratching not to mention get close to the rock that leans on the back glass and clean off the coraline effortlessly. Mag float just came out a couple month ago with mags and scraper for the smaller mags.

 

[TheEngineer]

Oh and I have an "e-cloth" for the outside. Uses just water and gets the glass really clean.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

+1 to the flipper and long handle kent scraper.
The only way I have found to use magfloat style ones without scratching glass is stay the heck away from the sand lol.. Or pay real close attention and if you do see any sort of debris underneath, take it out and use a knife or such to clean every single piece of grit out of it.

Been there though, no easy way to deal with scratches on a glass aquarium.(especially with water in it)

 

[demetriusandmax]

+1 to the flipper and long handle scraper. Where did you get your tank? I live in the HD as well and I purchased mine from Steve at Sea Otter( had a bad experience). Now I mainly stick with the coral and fragshack. I learned about the flipper from Carlos the owner.

 

[Cameron]

I got mine from Sea Otter too. I had a terrible experience there and refuse to go back. Shortly after this, I discovered the coral and frag shack, and I'm there all the time. Carlos has been awesome at helping me get everything running well. Everything I've gotten since the tank has been from him. Where in the HD do you live?

 

[demetriusandmax]

I'm in Victorville. Are there any reef clubs that you know of up here?

 

[Cameron]

I haven't been able to find any, but Carlos says that there's a lot of us up here. If you find one, please let me know. Or maybe we could start one?

 

[domination2580]

Flipper

 

[bobman]

I use either a razor blade for bad areas fr touchups I use mr clean magic erase the original.

 

[cmcoker]

Flipper, replacement blades are also available for it.