Re: [GSAS-Member] Safe in Tank Acrylic Sandpaper

["A JACOBSON" <amjacobson52@msn.com>]

There is debris, and then there is debris.  Asbestos has a needle-like 
structure that, though very fine, manages to pierce respiratory tissue and 
lodge there.  

The debris that I stir up during water changes tends to be organic wastes and 
substrate, neither one of which is likely to have a microscopic structure that 
pierces tissue.  Sandpaper, on the other hand, is grit that is designed to cut. 
 Microscopically, it is sharp.  If plexiglass sands off in microscopic 
"shards", it would also inflict damage, even if it were chemically benign.

Think of it this way.  I can drink almost anything out of my glass, with no 
worry about ingesting any poisonous substance from the glass -- it is basically 
inert, not reacting with any liquid I put in there.  However, drinking 
finely-ground up glass isn't going to do my digestive system any good, not 
because the glass is poisonous, but because of the particular structure I am 
being exposed to.

Anita
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Susan Welenofsky<mailto:welenofsky@comcast.net> 
  To: 'Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member 
chat'<mailto:gsas-member@thekrib.com> 
  Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 4:44 PM
  Subject: RE: [GSAS-Member] Safe in Tank Acrylic Sandpaper


  What about all the fine particles that are stirred up during water changes
  from Flourite? A lot of fish don't live in perfectly clear water. I saw that
  there were kits one could buy that were for use within the aquarium, with
  the fish. How bad can acrylic be if the fish are housed in an acrylic
  aquarium? Do particles in water stick to fish gills and clog them up? It
  seems it they did get stuff on there gills, it rinses off with each gulp of
  new water? Maybe Tom Waltzek would know?

  Susan

  -----Original Message-----
  From: gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com<mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com>
  [mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Hess, Clay A
  Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 1:07 PM
  To: Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat
  Subject: RE: [GSAS-Member] Safe in Tank Acrylic Sandpaper

  I will suggest again that you do not want to sand your tank with the
  fish in the tank. Plexiglas particles and the particles from the
  sandpaper were never meant to be part of the fish environment.  Although
  you may not recognize any significant impact to your fish immediately,
  neither do humans recognize lung damage immediately from fine particle
  exposure (look at asbestos as a perfect example).  Similarly, skin or
  external damage does not always appear immediately either (fiberglass is
  an excellent example for this one).  
  I know that I have seen much written recently about the care we take to
  make our tanks not feel like "prisons", the care we take in creating the
  perfect balanced diet for our fish, the care we take in getting the
  lighting just right for our plants.  Soooooooo, it begs the question,
  why would anyone, that takes this much care with their fish, take a
  chance on sanding the inside of their tank while the fish are in it?  It
  is just not worth the risk in my humble opinion.

  Clay

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Susan Welenofsky [mailto:welenofsky@comcast.net] 
  Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 1:03 PM
  To: 'Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat'
  Subject: RE: [GSAS-Member] Safe in Tank Acrylic Sandpaper


  I found McGuire's 2500 sandpaper ($20 per box, must buy whole package).
  I bought 2000 wet/dry grit today (5 sheets, $8). I'm going to use the
  sander. They have finer grits at a different store, in Kirkland. So, I
  can safely use the black wet/dry sandpaper while the fish are in the
  tank? I would buy a package of that or 3,000 if someone wants to split
  it with me. I can get an auto dealer/worker discount on the stuff.

  Susan

  -----Original Message-----
  From: gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com<mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com>
  [mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Paul Winchester
  Sent: Monday, April 04, 2005 10:43 AM
  To: gsas-member@thekrib.com<mailto:gsas-member@thekrib.com>
  Subject: RE: [GSAS-Member] Safe in Tank Acrylic Sandpaper

  I have successfully used the black wet dry paper in a couple of my
  acrylic 
  tanks. I have heard that the micromesh works well but have not found it 
  locally in a fine grit.

  Depending on the depth of the scratch I would use 400-1800 grit, the 400
  for

  only the really deep scratches, then follow with 600-800 and then
  1200-1800.

  I sand in same the direction as the scratch. For teeth marks I would
  sand in

  a circular motion and probably use 1200 first.

  You might want to start with the fine 1200-1800 first to see the effect,
  but

  the finer paper requires more effort to see the results. Be sure to
  always 
  progress from the course paper to fine. Sand as little as possible to 
  prevent the area from looking distorted.

  After using the fine 1200-1800 grit paper the arcrylic can be polished
  with 
  a cloth and some of the arcylic polishing compound available at the
  stores. 
  I think similar results could achieved using other polishing substances,

  like baking soda. If you didnt use too much it shouldnt changes the ph
  much.

  >From: "Susan Welenofsky" 
<welenofsky@comcast.net<mailto:welenofsky@comcast.net>>
  >Reply-To: Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member
  >chat<gsas-member@thekrib.com<mailto:gsas-member@thekrib.com>>
  >To: "GSAS Member Chat" 
<gsas-member@thekrib.com<mailto:gsas-member@thekrib.com>>
  >Subject: [GSAS-Member] Safe in Tank Acrylic Sandpaper
  >Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 10:50:26 -0700
  >
  >What is a good, safe, in tank sandpaper? I believe I have a lot of
  >scratches
  >on the acrylic surface from tooth marks from a pleco. I read something 
  >about
  >micromesh being safe. I was also wondering if the black wet/dry auto
  >sandpaper was safe to use. I know they sell acrylic scratch kits that
  are
  >safe to use in aquariums, with fish, but they are quite expensive.
  >
  >
  >
  >Susan
  >
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