Tell me about your squeaky clean backside!

[GOSKN5]

I have always kept mine clean as well... the overflow is hard and next to impossible to keep clean.. anyone know any tips for that?


My previous tank

 

[saltyhog]

I have a six foot tank with a center overflow. I have pretty long arms so I don't have any problem cleaning mine the same way I do the rest of the glass...with a magnet cleaner (Tunze). I do have to use a long handled scraper occasionally because of an area my light mounts don't allow access to with the magnet. I let my over flow go natural. In fact I just glued a cyphastrea frag on it to see if I can get it to encrust.

 

[Rob's Reef]

Scraper every couple of weeks. Wish I could scrape my overflow! Thing is coralline red and it annoys me.

I use a piece of filter pad, cut them up into little sponge shape squares and use them to clean my acrylic overflow. They also Coe in handy when cleaning equipment, pumps, skimmer cup, sump walls ect...

 

[aaron23]

i have gsp growing on the back of my aquarium

 

[Damon]

I actually took the plunge and scraped the whole tank.. I actually had to touch up paint the black background a bit.. Still cloudy, but I will check in a little bit..

 

[SunnyX]

Those who have seen my setups know that I am extremely OCD when it comes to the glass, sand, etc. I like everything to appear clean and spotless. I try to make my setups look somewhat natural but I treat them more like a Bonsai tree. I feel that aesthetically speaking a tank setup without any "distractions" on the glass or sandbed is ideal.

When viewing a reef display I do not want my eyes to wonder to the mess of coralline or jumble of corals on the sandbed. The corals should stand out, contrast, and be pleasing to the eye. Too many time I see potentially beautiful setups that are ruined by a littered sandbed or unkempt glass.

At the end of the day its a personal preference of how you'd like your reef displayed but it does make things easier when everything is setup in a way to not constantly shift the viewer's gaze.

 

[sawdonkey]

I love a clean backside. I clean my glass about twice a week, but only do the back about once per week. I use a long handled scraper. I cannot get behind my tank, so a mag float is not an option. Plus the back of my tank is painted black.

For my overflows, I use a ton of elbow grease. I use a scraper and those green kitchen scratch pads.

My next tank, way down the road will have no overflows and the back will be painted blue. Then, I'll have to up the glass cleanings.

 

[Rob's Reef]

i have gsp growing on the back of my aquarium

I would love to see a picture of the gsp on the back

 

[Birddog]

Let me say that this is a very nice looking tank you got there, i like the aquascaping .

Thank you A.G.!

 

[FarmerTy]

A clean backside is the way to go. 9 out of 10 reef doctors recommend it! [emoji4]

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

A clean backside is the way to go. 9 out of 10 reef doctors recommend it! [emoji4]

HAHA!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I just finished cleaning my back GLASS (not backside). I intentionally left plenty of space between the back glass and rocks so I could keep it clean.

 

[NickP13]

On my 100 with a painted background I just use the magnet as I can reach the whole thing. My 220 I have to use a 2 foot Scraper.

 

[MamaLovesHerReefTank]

We have a 125g six foot tank. When doing our scape we made sure to keep the rocks away from the glass on all sides including the back. Back is painted black so we use a scraper or green scrub pad weekly.

 

[Lowstorm]

Since algae is growing on my overflow I got installed last week I think I may grow some corals right on it. Something fun, like the multiple colors of moni caps, or maybe just a full on encrusting monti.

 

[ChicagoGeorge]

I agree with most. It's very easy, as long as you leave enough space for at least your hand to fit. Also, it might be difficult to get an old tank nice and clean after coralife algae has taken over. But a new tank, easy as pie. I clean mines every water change. Like once a month. It's also painted black with an acrylic paint. No issues using a magnet cleaner to do periodic maintenance. When I change the water I do a more detail cleaning using some pads I bought from my LFS. Very similar to the magic eraser.

 

[ChicagoGeorge]

My tank before a detail clean.

 

[Black Pearl]

Used to keep mine clean till my wrasse population increased, now every time I take the lid off, its like someone yelled everybody out of the pool!

 

[NickP13]

Used to keep mine clean till my wrasse population increased, now every time I take the lid off, its like someone yelled everybody out of the pool!

Hahaha

 

[dgrigor02]

I too prefer a nice clean back glass. I gave up long ago trying to keep the corner overflows clean but mostly hidden anyways.

When taking pictures gives better contrast and like the cleaner look. I have big fish and like lots of swimming room so no rocks resting on or supported by the back glass. I have 2 different handle length size kent scrapers. Takes only 5 minutes to do when my hands are in the tank anyways to do weekly siphon of the substrate. I use the 12" one the most even if I have to get my arms more wet because more control.

While it looks blue in the picture but it's actually white. Since it's float glass it has a bit of green tint as well.