how to clean acrylic saltwater tank

Avoiding scratches is a top priority for most fishkeepers, but theres one more essential aspect to consider. Put together your own algae cleaning crew by keeping Bristlenose plecos, Siamese algae eaters, or nerite snails. If you only need to clean the glass, there are a couple of methods that will help to clean the glass safely without having to disrupt your fishs lives by temporarily relocating them to another aquarium. To clean an acrylic fish tank, you will need: When cleaning an acrylic fish tank, try to use less force than you would if you were cleaning a glass tank. If you dont clean your gravel regularly, these things can easily make your tank look messy. This will help you remove algae, waste and will give your tank a cleaner look overall. The thing about acrylic fish tanks is that no matter what you do scratching will occur over time. Cleaning your aquarium can be a lot of work depending on how you go about it so the last thing you want to do is a half job. There are a few things to consider before you begin scrubbing the acrylic. Avoid dragging the pads too close to the tanks substrate layer. Also, be extra careful that the scoop doesnt touch or even rub against the surface of your acrylic tank especially with the substrate in it. Advertise today. This is at no extra cost to you. It can also move around the gravel and knock it to the side of the tank. good info. Rinse thoroughly with fresh, clean water! They are good for a final wipe down after youre done cleaning the acrylic tank. Youll be able to remove debris, waste, or algae off of the tanks walls without risking deep scratches. What Types of Fish Can Live Together In an Aquarium? The frequency can change depending on the setup of your aquarium so you should have a better idea of how often you should clean your aquarium. If you are trying to have a deep clean of your fish tank then you are going to need to empty your aquarium and find a nice temporary home for your fish as well as live plants, decor, and water. Acrylic fish tanks are lighter and less prone to leaks and shattering than glass tanks. Before you start applying products and sponges to your aquarium, you should consider what you are trying to do with your cleaning and what type of aquarium you have. Lets get into the basics of acrylic fish tank cleaning! Chemicals may tend to fight germs, but they are likely to cause more damage to the surface of your tank, so it is not worth it. Cleaning an acrylic aquarium is hard work, but it is not impossible. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Youll also need to thoroughly wipe away any acrylic-safe aquarium cleaners/polishes after the clean-up. Read more to learn tips on how to clean your acrylic aquariums and to keep them scratch-free. This will allow you to easily drag the magnet from the outside and clean the inside, too! This lowers the chances of sand or other abrasive materials getting between your cleaning tools and the panels. Deep cleans should be a last resort as often as possible to prevent any unnecessary disruptions to your aquarium. To clean an empty acrylic fish tank, spray your cleaner or soapy water solution on every side of the aquarium. When cleaning the tank, turn off the water supply and remove all the fish. You want to make sure the algae scraper is safely flat against the acrylic glass to ensure that the algae scraper doesnt scratch the glass. Scrub the whole tank until it looks pristine where all the algae and stained minerals are lifted off. If you have an acrylic aquarium, make sure to see the acrylic tank section as your glass is much more sensitive than normal aquarium glass. The only issue with this is I you dont empty the tank, you will need to get your arm a little wet. The fact that the material is so soft and forgiving makes it almost impossible to scratch your tank. Cleaning an acrylic aquarium follows the standard procedure of cleaning an aquarium. It will take a bit of work, but you will be thankful that you took the necessary precautions. Use an acrylic-safe anti-static polish, or cleaner, to neutralize the static electricity charge on the outside of your acrylic tank. A mag float cleaner is basically using two magnets to clean both sides of the glass of your fish tank. You can simply choose one based on how big your tank is. Simply use the eraser to wipe all sides and edges of your tank. It doesnt have to be all that hard but you to make sure you are being careful when deciding what method and approach you to decide on. Dont forget the inside corners! Again, I believe this actually lightly polishes the acrylic because with continued use, it just gets easier and easier to clean my tank. Contact us today to start your advertisement! Depending on how heavily your fish tank is stocked and its overall setup, youll need to. lightweight, strength, crack & leak resistance are its big selling points. OKhere is the response from Proctor and Gamble from their website. If you are unable to find the fish safe cleaning products, there are a few common household items that may help you just as well like vinegar. Editors note: This blog was originally published on Jan. 23, 2018, and was updated on June 24, 2019. Unsubscribe at any time. Theyre also more versatile when it comes to their structural build. Aquarium glass distorts the view of your pet fish. And thats how you end up with scratches on the inside of your acrylic fish tank! When sand gets trapped in the magnetic algae scrubber, you run the risk of scratching the glass of your tank. To safely clean the inside panels of an acrylic fish tank and avoid scratches, youll need to take some additional precautionary steps: Turn off the filter, air pump, powerhead, and all other aerators. It worked great. Its easier to prevent deep scratches than buff them out without jeopardizing the tanks structural integrity. Like in glass aquariums, keeping algae-eating fish or critters in your acrylic tank is an excellent method of algae control. Even if you try to be careful and apply very little to a cloth or directly on the affected area, you are risking introducing a toxin into your fishs habitat. Another aspect to consider is that as an acrylic tank ages, its also more likely to weaken and even become brittle. Tidal Gardens BIG SUMMER BLOWOUT SALE >>1,300+ WYSIWYG items, UP TO 90% OFF.. $5, $10 and FREE CORALS<<. With a melamine sponge, clean water, and a bit of elbow grease, you can remove even the toughest algae patches off of your acrylic tank. Even if they dont leave behind deep scratches, the ultrafine scratches will take away from the acrylics clarity. The magnets will attract and automatically stick to one another. Subscribe TO GET POSTS DIRECTLY IN YOUR INBOX! Photos and Solutions. At Living Art Aquatics in Crystal Lake, IL, we have the products and services you need to get the job done right. You also don't need crazy pressure to make this work. It is important to choose the right type of cloth when wiping the surface of your acrylic aquarium. In a small container, combine one part vinegar and one part water and use a clean sponge to apply the solution to the glass of the aquarium. Rub the powder in using a soft wet cloth or a damp melamine sponge. 2 sponges for $2.50 and you can cut the sponges as small as you want; cutting them in half works for me and gives me 4 sponges for the price. However, you will not know what normal is until you are familiar with your specific saltwater reef tank so give it time and check your measurements whenever you clean to be sure. This applies when youre adding new substrate into the tank, too. There are many advantages to owning acrylic aquariums. Like in glass aquariums, keeping algae-eating fish or critters in your acrylic tank is an excellent method of algae control. What Paint Can I Use In an Aquarium That Is Not Toxic To Fish? The best part about using a vacuum is that its pretty simple. Dont miss out on valuable tips! Anyone who comes over to see my tank, the first words out of their mouth is something like WOWyour tank is crystal clear. If you are changing the substrate, dont dump it out because it will definitely leave scratches behind. Now, you should have a good idea of how to approach cleaning your aquarium. You should invest in an algae scraper for the inside of your tank to help remove algae but be careful not to knock into anything inside your tank! Let sit for about 3-5 minutes. First, you will need a few things before you begin going to town on your aquarium glass. So, whats an acrylic aquarist to do? A vacuum can suck even the smallest material that might be stuck to the gravel, which includes dirt that you might not even spot. Melamine sponges make excellent algae removers, especially if youre trying to salvage a neglected tank thats covered in algae build-up. Protecting the visual clarity on the outside of an acrylic fish tank is just as important as keeping the interior panels scratch-free. A little TLC goes a long way in avoiding scratches that can mar the view in your aquarium. Over time, glass cleaners can also make your acrylic fish tank look hazy or foggy. These materials can easily make the aquarium appear foggy and even leave scratches. You can also use them to polish the outside of an acrylic fish tank, along with an acrylic-safe liquid polish. Repeat the process if necessary, but a once-over is efficient enough most times. If you are seeing that there is a larger buildup of algae than normal between intervals then there might be something wrong with your tanks water quality or filtration. Perform water changes periodically (more frequently for smaller tanks); Make sure the tanks filter doesnt get clogged up; Trim live plants and remove dead plant matter as necessary. The water needs to be calm so that grit or sand doesnt float or get between the cleaning tools and the acrylic tank because that can easily result in scratches. Heres how it works: one magnet goes inside the tank, while the other magnet is placed on the surface outside. Always try to avoid products with chemicals, alcohol, and Ammonia, and dont use abrasive materials. The information and material found on this website is intended to be used as general guidelines. Another advantage of acrylic is that it weighs less than glass, which makes it more portable. This acrylic fish tank cleaning guide will walk you through the DOs and DONTs of the process. This is a quick and easy way to clean your glass without even touching the inside surface. Melamine sponges are great to keep on hand as a fishkeeper. I will deffinitely give that a try at the store and let you know how it works out. It also weighs less than glass, which makes it simpler to pick up and move around. How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Aquarium. By the same principle, not acrylic-safe substances can deteriorate your acrylic tank. These steps will be based on a glass aquarium tank. Ordinary sponges and paper towels are too rough for the soft material. Rub in your cleaner of choice using a soft microfiber cloth. In an empty acrylic aquarium, you first need to spray the entire area using just clean water. But with all those benefits comes a drawback. For example, acrylic is stronger and more flexible than glass so one thing is guaranteed acrylic glass wont shatter or leak.

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