JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
I am about to pull the trigger on a 125 gallon glass saltwater tank. The only issue is this what looks to be a small scratch on the front of the tank. Does this look like an issue or can I buff it out?
Is this scratch an issue?
- Thread starter JCOLE
- Start date
- Tagged users None
OP
OP
JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
I read online I also saw on YouTube that you can take fine grit sandpaper and basically sand it down. You can't feel the scratch at all with your fingernails or anything it's just looks like it's on the glass. I heard if the scratch is deep then you cannot buff it out.
FishyDP
Active Member
I found a similar scratch on my 150..tried buffing with no luck. I have had some success getting scratches out with toothpaste or nail polish remover, but if u can catch your fingernail in it may be out of luck. I didn't notice how bad the scratch in my tank was until I got water in it, and lights.
OP
OP
JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
I rubbed my finger on both sides and couldn't feel it at all. Didnt think it was a scratch.
OP
OP
JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
It's a used 125 gallon tank with a bunch of accessories like hanna checkers, calcium reactor, huge sump, 10 bags of unopened sand, about 200lbs of rock, rodi 4 stage, dc pump, protein skimmer, etc.
Selling for $650. He is getting out of the hobby. I hate scratches though. I dont mind fixing it if it can be done
That stand is really nice, but the scratch cannot be fixed within reason. IE the amount of stuff you have to buy and time you have to put into fixing it, plus learning how to do it. It would be more cost effective and easier to get a part time job to pay for a new tank then quit it.
I don't actually expect you to do this, but just trying to stress how hard it is to remove a scratch from a glass tank in most cases. I'm sure someone will eventually say they were able to but overall it's pretty difficult and time consuming in most cases.
I don't actually expect you to do this, but just trying to stress how hard it is to remove a scratch from a glass tank in most cases. I'm sure someone will eventually say they were able to but overall it's pretty difficult and time consuming in most cases.
Glass is very hard and hard to buff out any sort of scratch. You might put some water on the area and see how visible it is, if it’s on the inside Many imperfections disappear under water.
Shufflepig
Active Member
If all the equipment is in working condition that sounds like a deal I wouldn’t pass up even with the scratch. Like someone else mentioned you’ll be the only one that notices it. I got a similar deal on a 120 a year ago that had a small scratch on the side glass and it was the best decision I’ve made for a whileIt's a used 125 gallon tank with a bunch of accessories like hanna checkers, calcium reactor, huge sump, 10 bags of unopened sand, about 200lbs of rock, rodi 4 stage, dc pump, protein skimmer, etc.
Selling for $650. He is getting out of the hobby. I hate scratches though. I dont mind fixing it if it can be done
TBH scratchs come on glass and acrylic youll just have to do eith the fact.. ANy used aquarium will have them especially on the bottom where the substrate goes.
I have a 135 gallon 6 foot tank built in 1982 its 40 years old almost.. It has 3 scratches like that on the (front) but due to it not being drilled there is no front so i can just turn the tank around lol.
I have a 60g acrylic tank... tbh i hate acrylic i dont see why people like them.. ive had it for 2 months and its already got a buncj of new scratchs inside from snails i suspect.. also acrylic can get foggy and needs rebuffed.. Mine has a little fog on the outsude barely noticeable but up close you see it and it distorts viewing inside.
Also with alot of acrylic tanks they are just thick enough for their size.. and thats it.. because of that they bow out alot more thrn glass tanks.. which causes a distortion affect making things apear larger in the tank.. I can push on the panels on my 60g and they bow in and out and i can see the distortion affect happeneing.
If i could find a 55g glass hexagon for sale id get that ina heart beat to replace this acrylic hexagon
I have a 135 gallon 6 foot tank built in 1982 its 40 years old almost.. It has 3 scratches like that on the (front) but due to it not being drilled there is no front so i can just turn the tank around lol.
I have a 60g acrylic tank... tbh i hate acrylic i dont see why people like them.. ive had it for 2 months and its already got a buncj of new scratchs inside from snails i suspect.. also acrylic can get foggy and needs rebuffed.. Mine has a little fog on the outsude barely noticeable but up close you see it and it distorts viewing inside.
Also with alot of acrylic tanks they are just thick enough for their size.. and thats it.. because of that they bow out alot more thrn glass tanks.. which causes a distortion affect making things apear larger in the tank.. I can push on the panels on my 60g and they bow in and out and i can see the distortion affect happeneing.
If i could find a 55g glass hexagon for sale id get that ina heart beat to replace this acrylic hexagon
OP
OP
JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
Yeah I had an Acrylic before and didn't care for it.
So what your saying is go for it? Lol
hey hey hey I have an acrylic tank and you cant make it bow. It is 1" thick. Just thick enough for its size. My tank is not foggy. In fact it hates the fog. I think too many years in San Franscisco has made it that way. It actually likes the feel of snails crawling on it. Kinda like a good massage. They come and leave no trace just like good little hikers.
jtl
Well-Known Member
I have had both and actually knew a guy back in the 90's that had a large acrylic fab shop just to make aquariums. They definitely scratch so it requires a higher level of care over glass. The good news is they can be buffed out very successfully. The weight factor is nice over glass. As far as bowing that is because some manufacturers use acrylic that is too thin to save on costs. I had a 200g that was eurobraced and still bowed. The guy I knew who manufactured acrylic tanks did beautiful work but couldn't make money. He had a huge fire that destroyed his building and his aquarium store that had tons of live tanks. I don't think they ever found the cause of the fire
It's a used 125 gallon tank with a bunch of accessories like hanna checkers, calcium reactor, huge sump, 10 bags of unopened sand, about 200lbs of rock, rodi 4 stage, dc pump, protein skimmer, etc.
Selling for $650. He is getting out of the hobby. I hate scratches though. I dont mind fixing it if it can be done
Thats different. Used tanks will usually have a scratch here and there. Sounds like a deal. I scratched my brand new tank 3 days after getting it. Just make sure you are good with it because its in viewing pane.
OP
OP
JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
Yeah. I dont think it's honestly that bad. I didnt even notice it until I looked for it. I shined my phone light on and started examining the tank for scratches. I only found two and I think I might be able to buff them out. If not then it probably wont be a big deal. I just hope its not too noticable once water is in the tank and the lights are on.
OP
OP
JCOLE
Grower of the Small Polyps
Also, he just told me he is throwing in his Apex controller as well... I should probably snag this up. Even if i cannot buff it out then i am sure i could probably live with a scratch here and there at this price.
