Read more to learn tips on how to clean your acrylic aquariums and to keep them scratch-free. The fact that the material is so soft and forgiving makes it almost impossible to scratch your tank. Products made for cleaning acrylicrather than common household cleanersare recommended to avoid scratching the tanks walls. Acrylic glass has a lot of benefits like being much more difficult to break than normal glass or being much lighter. This means that not fish-safe substances used during the cleaning process can leach into the water once you refill the aquarium. Now, you should have a good idea of how to approach cleaning your aquarium. Water stains are a natural part of owning an aquarium and there will come a time when you have to deal with them. To prevent an acrylic tank from yellowing as long as possible, avoid setting it up in an area where its going to be exposed to direct sunlight for hours on end, daily. The mag float aquarium cleaner is a great tool to remove algae or other waste materials that might be stuck to the acrylic surface. Its easier to control in tight spots, and you wont have to worry about accidentally stirring up the gravel. Remember dont wipe too hard, or you might just leave a scratch behind. acrylic tank aquarium gallon 1000 aquariums giant Products you shouldnt use on your acrylic fish tank, Heres a list of household cleaning products, and tools, that you, Using a surface cleaner that is acrylic-safe and fish-safe, like the. The method with how you clean with vinegar is pretty universal for all deep cleaning methods just with different products. Dont forget the inside corners! cube jbj aquarium nano gallon rimless saltwater rl fresh glass tank water stand You should be cleaning your glass as often as you clean your tank so every 2 weeks or so. fish tank saltwater acclimation aquarium acclimating acclimate flush aquariumcreationsonline prevention parasite term method corals clams anenomes By the same principle, not acrylic-safe substances can deteriorate your acrylic tank. Youll have an easier time cleaning the interior panels of an acrylic fish tank if you turn off all the aerators temporarily. The sponge does degrade over time, but the cost is so cheap it's not a problem. You dont have to do much just bring the magnets close to each other. All you have to do is follow the instructions on the packaging of these repair kits. Fishkeeping Wisdom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and any other affiliated sites. reactor saltwater phosphate sump reef acrylic filter aquarium saltwater custom freshwater ready aquarium desktop hexagon saltwater clear fresh fish acrylic aquariums tanks freshwater roll zoom For example, acrylic is stronger and more flexible than glass so one thing is guaranteed acrylic glass wont shatter or leak. fish aquarium water salt tanks tank gallon saltwater dual separate cleaning acrylic reservoir aquariums terrarium easy fresh flush commode functional uniquarium aquariums seaclear gallons Here are a few other ways you can prevent getting scratches on an acrylic fish tank: If the inevitable happens, you can buff out fine scratches off of an acrylic fish tank. However, some repair kits have harmful substances that can kill the fish, so make sure to empty the tank before using them. crazing acrylic tank repair aquarium wetwebmedia Washing your aquarium regularly will keep it in good condition for a long time. Depending on how your tank is looking you might want to polish it up from any scratches it might have as well. Want to grow your business and reach a wider audience? Get rid of build-up debris and lime deposits. So, be sure to thoroughly rinse out your aquarium before putting the fish back in. However, that means when you clean your tank, you want to ensure that the methods you are employing are not putting your fish in danger or risking any damage to the aquarium itself. 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. This is one of those infinity edge tanks so I used it on the inside and outside. Thats why acrylic aquariums are so popular as stunning display tanks. Content on Reef Tank Resource is copyrighted. Glad to shareisn't that what R2R is all about, sharing what we learn. This can be used to clean all kinds of surfaces and doesnt leave behind any scratches. 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. The acrylic is strong but if we want to keep it beautiful then we need to know how to properly care for it. Youll have an easier time buffing it out from an acrylic panel than you would out of a glass panel. It also weighs less than glass, which makes it simpler to pick up and move around. Easy, you can use aquarium safe cleaners applied to sponges or microfibers cloths or you can use vinegar in the same way. Cleaning methods vary, but a gentle touch is key! The same guidelines apply when cleaning an aquariums outside panels. It can also move around the gravel and knock it to the side of the tank. Ultrafine scratches on the inside panels of your tank can also make it easier for algae to grab on and hold on. If you do not need to do a deep clean of your aquarium, then this method is much easier and will save you a lot of time. Choose an algae scraper with a plastic blade to prevent accidentally scratching your acrylic aquarium. Rinse thoroughly with fresh, clean water! Photos and Solutions. First, you will need a few things before you begin going to town on your aquarium glass. sump aquarium saltwater filter tank filtration refugium marine fish systems reef diagram system sponge diagrams tanks aquariums basic aqueon proflex All tap water will have this buildup and the minerals are actually crucial for fish health, but the stains can leave an eyesore. Put your magnet algae cleaner pads to work on the largest areas that need to be cleaned. Wipe the outside panels clean and pat them dry after every clean-up. Dont forget to cover all the areas. Advertise today. What I want to see is someone try it and give me your opinion on it.come on acrylic tank ownerslet us know your results. However, it doesnt have to be that way! aquarium saltwater care fish tips books Keep in mind that fish are delicate and exposing them to cleaning products will likely kill them. Have you removed the sand or other loose debris from your tank? Draining all the water from your aquarium might seem like a great idea but it can disrupt the life that is building itself within your established aquarium. This lowers the chances of sand or other abrasive materials getting between your cleaning tools and the panels. Aquarium glass distorts the view of your pet fish. you rule, thanks for sharing that wonderful tip. Ultrafine scratches will be masked when the aquariums filled with water, but deep ones are harder to conceal. Hard water stains are caused as the tap water from your fish tank evaporates and leaves a mineral buildup on the sides and lid of your fish tank. You can use these magnets to wipe the aquarium, but make sure to clean it with a cloth first. This is at no extra cost to you. 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. It will take a bit of work, but you will be thankful that you took the necessary precautions. 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. alkalinity What Paint Can I Use In an Aquarium That Is Not Toxic To Fish? acrylic aquariums cleaning refugium aquarium sump saltwater adhi filter diy tank setup fish aquariums sumps marine refugiums filters nano wet dry reef course filter aquarium canister saltwater tank marine skimmer protein diagram uv setup americanaquariumproducts npx freshwater aquariums plastics bio basic diagrams equipment Cleaning an acrylic fish tank, and keeping it scratch-free in the process, requires a gentle approach, the right products, and a bit of patience. This applies when youre adding new substrate into the tank, too. Fishkeepingwisdom.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Acrylic fish tanks can get damaged easier in the cleaning process, lacking the scratch-resistance of glass aquariums. There can be bad angles at which your approach the scrubbing that could cause tiny scrapes. When scraping algae off, try to keep the blade flush on the surface of the tank. Tidal Gardens BIG SUMMER BLOWOUT SALE >>1,300+ WYSIWYG items, UP TO 90% OFF.. $5, $10 and FREE CORALS<<. As long as you are careful and follow the instructions above, you will be able to clean your acrylic aquarium without leaving behind any scratches. 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. good info. Using a surface cleaner that is acrylic-safe and fish-safe, like theAPI aquarium cleaner, is the way to go. So, whats an acrylic aquarist to do? Use the right tools to remove algae patches off of different areas. You can also use a soft wet cloth. The magnets will attract and automatically stick to one another. While these magnets are great, they cannot completely replace the effect of water and a clean cloth. acrylic aquarium gallon Did you find this article helpful? Algae will be harder to scrape off, and only buffing the scratches out will fix the problem. fish aquarium water salt tanks tank gallon saltwater dual separate cleaning acrylic reservoir aquariums terrarium easy fresh flush commode functional nano aquarium sump sea tank max reef saltwater lifereef fish refugium setup reefer sumps skimmer trap bubble diy plumbing prefilter One, I really needed something other than an old credit card to clean my tank. No longer must we struggle as much to get the tank up the stairs to our offices, but we do have to be much more careful not to scratch the surface of the acrylic glass. At Living Art Aquatics in Crystal Lake, IL, we have the products and services you need to get the job done right. Lets get into the basics of acrylic fish tank cleaning! Use melamine sponges to clean the inside walls of your tank near the water surface. Use a microfiber cloth for careful scrubbing of the walls of your tank. Acrylic fish tanks are lighter and less prone to leaks and shattering than glass tanks. The best part about the mag float cleaner is that they can come in two sizes medium and large. You will not only prevent any scratches this way, but you will ensure that the product is completely whisked away, and this will help to prevent smears. If you were to drop small pieces of glass in your tank, they would have no reaction of their own, nor would they combine with something else to cause a reaction. Cleaning an acrylic aquarium follows the standard procedure of cleaning an aquarium. While acrylic aquariums are great to keep in the living room because they provide a beautiful view, it is also essential to clean them from time to time. Rub the powder in using a soft wet cloth or a damp melamine sponge. Over time, glass cleaners can also make your acrylic fish tank look hazy or foggy. This will help to loosen up any of the algae and mineral buildup and make the rest of the task must easier in the long run. Subscribe TO GET POSTS DIRECTLY IN YOUR INBOX! acrylic aquarium gallon Most aquarium owners prefer the large ones because they tend to cover a greater surface area and clean faster. Magnetic algae cleaner pads are efficient in removing algae nonetheless. To clean an empty acrylic fish tank, spray your cleaner or soapy water solution on every side of the aquarium. One tiny particle caught between your scrub pad and the wall can cause considerable damage. Acrylic fish tanks are notoriously easy to scratch, which can ruin the crystal-clear view theyre popular for. Thats why you should be cautious when buying a used acrylic tank. Thanks for posting your results ReefRunner. Getting advice from an expert can make cleaning your acrylic aquarium a snap. Try a plastic scraper to remove tough caked-on algae. A mag float cleaner is basically using two magnets to clean both sides of the glass of your fish tank. The information and material found on this website is intended to be used as general guidelines. In their prime, acrylic tanks are stronger and more resistant to cracks, shattering, and leaks than glass aquariums. All trademarks property of their respective owners. As I have mentioned earlier in this article, if you have a sand bottom to your tank, you need to be extremely careful if you choose to use a magnetic algae scraper. How do you decide how much to spend on used reef equipment? Yes, Ladipyg, the material type you mentioned is something I've been hoping would come out for a long time, and you as the reporter for its effectiveness makes it very, very promising. Depending on the type of cleaning you are doing to your tank should determine how you will approach cleaning your tanks glass. You may also want to consider not emptying your reef tank to clean it every single time. tank nano aquarium sump sea tank max reef saltwater lifereef fish refugium setup reefer sumps skimmer trap bubble diy plumbing prefilter Always place your scraper flush against the wall and gently rub the spot away to avoid scratches. Rub in your cleaner of choice using a soft microfiber cloth. The only issue with this is I you dont empty the tank, you will need to get your arm a little wet. When it comes to algae, cleaning with water and a cloth wont cut it. For the bottom part of the interior walls and the corners, its best to use an extendable algae scraper. cube jbj aquarium nano gallon rimless saltwater rl fresh glass tank water stand Put together your own algae cleaning crew by keeping Bristlenose plecos, Siamese algae eaters, or nerite snails. Scraping acrylic panels at an angle can leave behind some pretty deep eyesores. How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Aquarium. Nothing threatens the walls of your acrylic aquarium quite like a grain of sand. I will deffinitely give that a try at the store and let you know how it works out. Even with the greatest of care, acrylic is still a plastic material. These include uneaten food, dead plants, and waste. The biggest benefit to cleaning your fish tank with a fish safe spray is that it will be much faster than using a home remedy cleaning method. 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.