Acylic tank scratches and spot algae removal

[<carrera206@comcast.net>]

Now I have a question, does anyone have a good solution for removing green
spot algae from a very deep tank?

My tank is 240 gals or so, 72x24x30 and sits on a 36" high stand and it is
very difficult to remove the spot algae that grows near the gravel as my
magnetic cleaner will tend to want to pick up the gravel and long handled
scrapers have never worked well for me.

Is there any other solution that anyone have used? I want to keep the fish
in place during the procedure.

RE: Acrylic Scratch Removal

The links below should give everyone a start at figuring out how to polish /
remove scratches from acrylic aquariums. One can also look at the various
products available for removing scratches, haze and crazing from acrylic
aircraft windows and motorcycle fairings.

Here is the method that I used on my 240 gal tank.

In summary, think of the scratches as grooves in the acrylic that need to be
smoothed out in order for them not to distort light and appear as scratches.
Buffing out the scratches is not difficult to do. It just takes a bit of
elbow grease.

Start off with a grit rough enough to remove traces of the scratches without
taking too long but not so rough that it gouges the heck out of your tank.
Start sanding in a horizontal pattern and work your way through
progressively smoother grits.

Each time you switch grits you cross the previously sanded pattern (ex.
horizontal pattern - back and forth, switch grits then sand in a
vertical --up and down pattern, and so on) each time sanding until the
previously sanded pattern cannot be seen anymore. As you get up to the
finest grits the sanding pattern will be gradually replaced by clear
acrylic.

Do not use a circular pattern as the cris cross is easier to control and you
could get optical distortions in the plastic otherwise. Remember you are
actually removing the acrylic in order to get it smooth, so make sure that
you judge if the scratch removal would result in weakening the tank too
much.

Finally use an acrylic polishing compound if necessary (depending on the
grits that you have available) and if the tank is empty (and you are doing
the tank interior.

BTW, I bought my stuff through sisweb and I do not know about the other
sites. The Micro-mesh products are definitely the way to go and I have also
heard good things about the Novus line of plastic polishes.

Good Luck,

Alfred Shiga

http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/
http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/reference/kr70_kit.htm
http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/acrylic_plastic_hand_kits.htm
https://www.micro-surface.com/doc_library%5Ctechnical%5CClear_Seas_Acrylic_Kit_Instructions.doc
http://pages.restorersupplies.com/5943/InventoryPage/1316051/1.html
http://www.ss-sci.com/micromesh.htm
http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/abrasives/micromesh.htm
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_miscellaneous_scratch_removal_kit_pentair_aquatics_rainbow-lifegard.asp

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hess, Clay A" <clay.a.hess@boeing.com>
To: <gsas-member@thekrib.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2004 11:03 AM
Subject: RE: Acrylic tank scratches and neighbors with good intentions


> Soooo, I have a similar problem with a tank of mine....had the Christmas
tree fall on it this year.  Left some nice scratches in it.  What is the
best product to remove the scratches and will it look as polished as the
rest of the tank when I am done?  I don't want to make a bad situation
worse.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: carrera206@comcast.net [mailto:carrera206@comcast.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2004 8:35 AM
> To: gsas-member@thekrib.com
> Subject: Re: Acrylic tank scratches and neighbors with good intentions
>
>
> You really want to use the micro -mesh stuff. Its quite expensive but it
is the only product that can polish acrylic without removing the water or
even taking out the fish. Plain or even wet/dry sandpaper is not usually
fine enough to remove the scratches without having to buff the acrylic
afterwards with polishing compound. You will need several different grits of
the stuff and if you are doing it while the tank has occupants than you will
need some of the finest grit stuff they have.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Sanford, Dave LHS-STAFF" <Sanfordd@issaquah.wednet.edu>
> To: <gsas-member@thekrib.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2004 7:35 AM
> Subject: RE: Acrylic tank scratches and neighbors with good intentions
>
>
> > I have experience in repair of a 180 gal tank. I bought it with
> > gouges, scratches, haze etc. It was in bad shape. I worked on the
> > entire front
> inner
> > and outer surface. It is possible to get it looking good again, and
> remember
> > that with water it will look much better than when dry. Good luck. The
> > products at the website look good to me. What a bummer to have
> > happened. dave
> >  ------------------
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