Cleaning white starboard

[jduong916]

Anyone know how to clean white starboard? I cant really scrape it with a blade because it just digs into the board. I tried to scrub it with a dish pad, but the algae doesnt really come off. Any suggestions?

 

[Reefahholic]

Anyone know how to clean white starboard? I cant really scrape it with a blade because it just digs into the board. I tried to scrub it with a dish pad, but the algae doesnt really come off. Any suggestions?

Don’t scrape it. Just put some Astraea’s in there and Mexican turbo’s and let them go to work.

 

[Cell]

I'd try a magic eraser.

 

[jduong916]

Don’t scrape it. Just put some Astraea’s in there and Mexican turbo’s and let them go to work.

That’s what in there. They don’t really make a dent.

 

[jduong916]

I'd try a magic eraser.

I hadn’t though of that. I’ll give it a try.

 

[Reefahholic]

That’s what in there. They don’t really make a dent.

You have to add enough for them to be effective. 50-100

 

[Reefahholic]

I'd try a magic eraser.

Can you link it. I’ve never used one. Always hear people talking about them. What is their primary use and advantages?

 

[jpark457]

It’s basically ultra fine grit sandpaper. Some kind of plastic abrasive that sands stuff off. That’s why you can’t use them on some surfaces bc they will take finish off

 

[Cell]

Can you link it. I’ve never used one. Always hear people talking about them. What is their primary use and advantages?

They are melamine sponges. Primary use in terms of aquaria is cleaning glass, specifically the softer low iron glass like Starphire that scratches easily. I typically buy Mr Clean Magic Eraser brand from Menards but you can probably find cheaper generic melamine sponges on Amazon.

 

[JNalley]

It’s basically ultra fine grit sandpaper. Some kind of plastic abrasive that sands stuff off. That’s why you can’t use them on some surfaces bc they will take finish off

Huh? Magic Eraser's are Melamine foam... I am not sure how anyone can get "Sandpaper" from it, they have a Mohs hardness of 4, so essentially anything 4 or below can/will be scratched/worn away... but it's definitely not in the same league as sandpaper which has a mohs hardness of like 9 due to being made of artificial corundum

 

[Reefahholic]

They are melamine sponges. Primary use in terms of aquaria is cleaning glass, specifically the softer low iron glass like Starphire that scratches easily. I typically buy Mr Clean Magic Eraser brand from Menards but you can probably find cheaper generic melamine sponges on Amazon.

Will they scratch acrylic? I think I remember hearing that they don’t, but can’t confirm that.

 

[Reefahholic]

It’s basically ultra fine grit sandpaper. Some kind of plastic abrasive that sands stuff off. That’s why you can’t use them on some surfaces bc they will take finish off

Will they scratch acrylic?

 

[JNalley]

Will they scratch acrylic?

Acrylic is a 3-4 on Mohs, and Melamine is 4, so I personally would not risk it. You'll likely end up with micro scratches that fill and are invisible in water, but will be cloudy when dry.

 

[Reefahholic]

Acrylic is a 3-4 on Mohs, and Melamine is 4, so I personally would not risk it. You'll likely end up with micro scratches that fill and are invisible in water, but will be cloudy when dry.

Copy that.
What is the best thing to clean acrylic with?

 

[JNalley]

Not sure really... But, natural sea sponges are soft, tough, and porous so they have a good ability to clean surfaces but not scratch surfaces... On something as soft as acrylic I'd try that before I tried anything else...

 

[jduong916]

You have to add enough for them to be effective. 50-100

I don't think I'd want to deal with 90 dead snails after a week. I don't think any tank could sustain that many turbo snails.

 

[Reefahholic]

I don't think I'd want to deal with 90 dead snails after a week. I don't think any tank could sustain that many turbo snails.

I have close to that in mine currently.

 

[jduong916]

I had to look at your build page. That looks like a 120. Do the snails really keep the board pristine and not die after a few weeks? I’d just hate having that many turbos they get in the way of everything.

 

[Reefahholic]

I had to look at your build page. That looks like a 120. Do the snails really keep the board pristine and not die after a few weeks? I’d just hate having that many turbos they get in the way of everything.

I’ve had very few die (almost none) even with the most toxic Dino species in my system currently. The snails are able to effectively clean very well especially when the toxins are low. Otherwise they get stunned. If your tank w/o Dino’s that should be able to clean up a lot of algae. They eat turf algae pretty well.


Do you have a pic of the algae?

 

[Cell]

Plenty of people use Magic Erasers on acrylic with no apparent issues.

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