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FAQs on Cleaning Acrylic Aquariums, Sheet

Related Articles: Cleaning Aquariums, Cleaning Decor, Marine Maintenance,

Disinfecting a Used Acrylic Tank 1/12/11
Hello, there! I wonder if you can provide me with some guidance on disinfecting a used, acrylic tank and some other questions. I bought a second-hand, 125G (tall) TruVu Aquasystem tank that was formerly a marine tank, I think. I am going to use this as a freshwater tank for fancy goldfish. What is the best way to disinfect it?
<Careful (so as not to scratch) light bleaching (outdoors) and soft scrubbies of some sort... even just wet paper towels>
I have heard the bleach can etch acrylic,
<Mmm, not at household concentrations... but/and I'd dilute this by about ten times>
so thought about using potassium permanganate.
<Not what I would use... too staining>
However, I was worried it would stain. I contacted TruVu and they could not advise me and seemed completely unfamiliar with PP in any case.
<Unusual... the old partners who started, ran the co. were fine fellows...>
Can I PP the tank?
<You could...>
Or, if it is really OK to use bleach with this tank, what proportion bleach/water will do the job without damaging the acrylic?
<As stated... an order of magnitude is about what I'd use... Rubber gloves, olde clothing...>
I did rinse the walls with white vinegar and then filled the tank with a weak solution (about 5-6 G white vinegar in there), but I am concerned it was not truly sterilized at that proportion.
<Likely is.>
What can I use/what is sufficient? Also, do you have any idea how many/what volume bio-balls I need to buy for this size Aquasystem?
<Am not a fan. Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/bioballfaq2.htm
and look into other filtration moda>
I see that you used to sell these tanks, so perhaps you know;
<Ah yes>
strangely, TruVu's customer service, though quite pleasant, could not tell me this, either..
<Geez; not helpful>
It is maddening, as I am all afire to get this tank up and running-but I want it to be safe for my fish. Thanks so much for your help, once again! Catherine
<Welcome! Bob Fenner>

Cleaning My Acrylic Tank – 04/07/10
Hello,
<<Hi Leah>>
I have been researching ways to best clean the inside of my acrylic tank as it has some hard to remove algae on it.
<<Mmm, yes…I do understand. I too have an acrylic tank and although I do like it very much it can be a bear to clean without causing damage/scratches. The best “device” I have found for removal of stubborn algae/Coralline algae is a scraper made from the same material as the tank (i.e. – Acrylic). You can make your own like I did if you’re handy/comfortable with cutting, bending, and shaping ½” acrylic…or you can buy readymade scrapers here (http://www.aquariumarts.com/acrylicscraper.html ). I have tried most all of the other commonly available “hobby” devices for scraping algae from acrylic tanks and they either don’t perform very well or they just aren’t as “acrylic safe” as advertised. You still have to be careful with anything you use, but these acrylic scrapers are the best for removing tough algae deposits on acrylic tanks. I also want to mention that your best defense in keeping an acrylic tank clean is a “daily” wipe down of the panels with a quality “acrylic safe” magnet cleaner like those offered by Algae Free and Magnavore>>
I read online somewhere that Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work great and don't harm reef tanks...do you know if this is true?
<>
I have a few soft corals, 2 Percs, a feather duster, a peppermint shrimp, an anemone, and a couple snails. It sounds like it would work great but I didn't know if there was any harmful materials in it?
<<The material may well be “inert” enough…I’m just not sure it is “acrylic safe”>>
Thanks for your time,
Leah
<<Happy to share… EricR>>

Re: please help with my sick loach and suffocating fish... & Acrylic tank cleaning & & & 1/10/2010
you guys rock! so quick to get back to a question! love it...

wow, what a panic attach I hat at midnight! so, after I applied the power head with air, and pointed the canister filter output nozzle at the surface of the water, it is 7:47am the next morning. I think I had nightmares about my poor fish.
<Not good to have such apprehension that one loses sleep>
everyone looks good. I lost two large green tiger barbs from the high ammonia/nitrites and no oxygen but other than that, everyone looks to be good. my loach in my sick tank is still acting funny. not swimming properly, labored breathing, but will get a burst of energy to flail around the tank and then lay on his side at the bottom again.
<Patience here, and NO feeding, till the ammonia is below 1.0 ppm>
I'm monitoring the sick tank ammonia, nitrites and such and they are good. because of my no oxygen scare I put a small air bubble wand into my sick tank.
<Won't hurt, might help>
I figure I can wait a few days to see if the loach gets better but the water quality is good. I will pick up ammonia stuff today but last night was too late.
nothing was open but because of my water changes the ammonia is down to 0.
<Very good>
ok, second scenario...I have just purchased a used 150 gallon acrylic custom tank from someone who was using it as saltwater. its 48" long, 24" tall, 30 wide. it took me three days to clean the pink and white coral off but it looks great! (pics attached).
<Good job!>
fyi, credit cards work good on acrylic (after I abused two of mine on this project) but the plastic putty knives work even better.
<Thank you for this input>
I saw them after I was almost finished so I used them the last day of cleaning. I have multiple questions I have been trying to find an answer for:
1) the canister filter I just bought is intended for my 150 gallon. it says it can filter up to 150 but is that always true?
<Mmm, best to think of such gauges as rough guidelines... there are other "rules of thumb" re flow rate vs. volume of system served, but obviously, more highly stocked, heavily fed systems need more filtration, circulation, aeration...>
I have bought a second one thinking I would need it but do you think I will?
<I'd put it on in any case. Better to have more than one source of filtration>
it is a Marineland multi-stage canister filter c-530. I was told to buy an Eheim.....
<Eheim's are superior, but...>
after I had already hooked this one up, but it hasn't gotten bad reviews so I'm hoping it works out. this is the filter that didn't come with any directions at all (actually very disappointed about that),
<Write the manufacturer... they have a website...
http://www.unitedpetgroup.com/>
didn't come with information of how the full system works with the bio balls, etc, or directions of where the impeller is, how to open the lid without all the water from the tubes running out, etc. simple stuff that a novice of canister filters woulnt know. grrrr.

2) if I should get a second one, should I just stay with the same one as my first so I can utilize the same parts, filters, etc? or would it behoove me to switch and go Eheim?
<IF money is not dear, I'd get/use Eheim... I have for decades... though our businesses (retail and service) sold, serviced other makes>
3) I am planning on doing a FW planted tank. so far I have one plant left that my algae eater has not managed to fling out of its corner with his tail. my questions is...since its 24" tall but 30" wide what type of lighting would be good?
<Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/PlantedTksSubWebIndex/AquariumGardenSubWebIndex.html
the fourth tray down...>
everything is for coral with the actinic blue lights but I don't need that. but because of the width and height I am confused as to which light would be the best option. compact fluorescent or High output lights?
<These could work... I'd look into T5 technology...>
I live in a HOT environment in the summer so I want to stay away from metal halide (not to mention a bit out of my price range).
I'm also living overseas (husband is military) so getting items can be a challenge. a chiller would be nice but out of the question at this point in time.
4) with the acrylic tank, there was a cubbie hole in the back of the tank to hide all the hoses and as a overflow for saltwater. is it easier to keep it as a overflow and just figure a way to attach my canister hoses to that so the holes in the bottom of the cubbie hole (that the hoses come out of) don't leak water out of the tank or should I find something that will seal the holes and use the canister filter output and input tubes to hang over the side like I do currently? not sure which is the best route to go.
<Either more plastic sheet cut to accommodate the hoses, or tape or such over them to prevent jumping>
5) I mentioned the current freshwater plants that I do have, but they are the same size I bought them a year ago. they don't die but they don't grow.
not sure if its because I don't add fertilizer but with the amount of fish I have it shouldn't be a problem. I have a compact fluorescent tube light from the diy store which I thought would be good but they just haven't thrived.
any ideas?
<Please read...>
I am wanting to do a planted tank but so far, I have failed at it. my fish uproot them so they always float to the top or they just stay stagnant....
I have more questions but this is all I can type for now. I received my tank three weeks ago and these are the questions I have been researching online but to no avail. people give me their ideas on lighting but they come from a saltwater community so I don't feel that they are fully knowledgeable...thank you so much for your time with me! I
<Bob Fenner>

Acrylic and vinegar 4/16/09
Hello.
<Hi,>
A woman I know has a small acrylic aquarium and had 3 goldfish and what looks like a Pleco of some type. She called me and told me that she cleaned it out with vinegar water and rinsed really well, she told me just the aquarium not the rocks or any thing else. She then put her fish back in.
She told me the next day they all were dead except the Pleco.
<Oh!>
She asked me if she should get more fish. I would guess that may have saved a few more fish. I have a small tank and I told her she could put the 4 inch Pleco in it till she figures this out. Are acrylic aquariums porous
and take in the vinegar to the point it can't be rinsed and if that is not so than I am wondering if I didn't get the whole story.
<Vinegar is not toxic to fish, at least not in the trace amounts likely to be left behind after cleaning the lime from an aquarium.>
Either way I believe she is buying a new tank or planning on really rinsing out the other one as of now. I also believe she uses distilled water for her water changes and I though the fish needed the minerals.
<Ah, this could easily be the reason the fish are dead. You cannot keep fish in distilled water. You are absolutely correct about this. While the need for minerals is vague (there's little evidence fish absorb minerals they need like calcium and iron from the water) they do need water to contain at least some minerals for reasons of osmoregulation. This is the balance of salt and water in their tissues. In distilled water they will be losing salts from their bodies at an alarming rate. Even soft water fish will be living in water with at least some, albeit small, amounts of minerals in the water. Moreover, sudden changes in water chemistry can be lethal.>
Thanks for the answer. Maybe the last one will have a chance.
<Your friend needs to read a fish book. If she's keeping Goldfish, they need hard, basic water. Regular tap water is usually fine. Distilled water or water from a domestic water softener should not be used (though for
different reasons, the first for reasons explained above, the second because it contains too much salt). They also need big tanks; 30 gallons is about the minimum realistic size if you want healthy, happy fish. Smaller
tanks just don't work and aren't fair on the Goldfish (akin to keeping a dog in a closet). Have your friend look over the following articles, one on Goldfish, one on stocking small tanks, and one on water chemistry:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/goldfish101art.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_5/volume_5_3/stocking.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWsubwebindex/fwh2oquality.htm
These should keep her going for a while *before* she buys any more fish!>
Sherri
<Good luck educating your friend, and well done for helping out! Cheers, Neale.>

Acrylic Magnet Cleaners 1/15/09
<Hello Ryan, Minh at your service.>
For my 180-gallon tank upgrade I went with acrylic since I live in CA and you guys seem to recommend acrylic. My question is, what brand magnet cleaner do you recommend for acrylic tanks? My tank has been up and running a few days now and I need to get one soon.
<For larger and thicker acrylic aquariums, "Mighty Magnets" are considered the best. These are often used by professionals. More information can be found here: http://www.mightymagnets.com/.>
Thanks you!
Ryan
<You're welcome. Cheers, Minh Huynh.>

Another Acrylic Woe 10/24
Hello crew,
<Hi there Greg>
I have a six gallon (eclipse six, acrylic) tank. I also have a lot of coralline algae on it. Now my question is, what's the ideal scraper (money no object) for the job? I've looked at a few from Kent and Aquarium Art. These seem good, but I really can't tell. I'd love to get your opinion on the matter. Thanks again for an incredible web site, Greg
<Either is fine, but be aware that they still do scratch the surface. You must be very careful to not get any sand in between or so on. Unfortunately this is a big issue with acrylic tanks! Jen S.>

Maintenance...Cleaning Coralline Deposits On Acrylic - 10/15/06
Hello Crew,
<Hiya Dave>
I have a 300g. 7/8" thick acrylic tank. I had to be gone awhile and my son took care of the tank. The fish and corals are just fine. The water parameters are OK. The equipment is working fine. But he didn't clean the algae, diatoms, etc. off the tank. Now there are fairly large areas of gorgeous purple coralline algae on the front panel of the tank. (The way the tank is placed, only the front panel is an issue). I have a Magnavore 8 cleaner, a long acrylic safe scraper, and a short hand scraper. Some of this stuff is tough, tough, tough. I work with my hands and they are quite strong, but this is ridiculous. Is there any other way to help remove this stuff short of a jack-hammer?
<I do not believe you will find an easy way, Dave. The tools you are using are norm for the problem. Read FAQ's here re this subject for other suggestions. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corlinecompfaqs.htm
Thanks in advance.
<You're welcome, James (Salty Dog)>
Dave Harvey

-Cleaning Acrylic- 8/28/06
Hello,
<Hola>
Read articles and FAQs, but couldn't find the answer...
Is there any safe cleaner I can use to clean adhesive from acrylic pieces for a DIY fuge? I peeled an adhesive plastic lining of off them and want to get any residue off and make them safe for my marine system water. Is this possible? Rubbing alcohol/bleach?
Thanks,
Michael
<Rubbing alcohol works well, vinegar diluted in water works if the acrylic is soaked in it, soap and water if you wash out the acrylic well afterward, quite a few choices. I would not use bleach though, may leave a residue if not cleaned off well, and a bit too strong for a first use.>
<Justin>

Algae and acrylic
Hi Bob,
<Steen Erik>
I live in Thailand (Dane, retired).
A few years back I made an outdoor aquarium which, after 1 1/2 cm thick glass exploded during filling, was empty for a couple of years.
I then had the glass replaced with 4 cm. thick acrylic and actually got it to work. After a year or so it started leaking and I had the inside coated with fiberglass. Unfortunately the people doing this also damaged the acrylic and after one year the aquarium started leaking again.
<No fun>
In the meantime I had started a 1,500 liter. aquascaping tank and found it really beautiful. I consequently decided to have the big tank repaired and prepared for aquascaping. The dimensions are 1,30 m deep x 3,60 m long x 1,65 m wide. Originally it is 2 m deep, but I have build in a 'false' bottom at 1,3 m as I don't think any plants can grow at this depth.
<Wowzah, this is a deep tank... usually I like ones I can stick my arm in all the way to the bottom... this one I'd have to dive in to!>
Water and plants came in on 1/29 this year with 50 Siamese algae-eaters added a few days later. It took me a couple of weeks to get the CO2 system to work properly (self-constructed, but it works). I am using a submerged pump (8,400 lit/h) and a sand filter in connection with an Eheim 1000 lit/h filter connected to a C02 reactor. No noise and absolutely no plastic, hoses or anything else visible in the tank.
<Outstanding>
Everything works fine now except for the algae on the acrylic. As you can imagine I am actually in the water when cleaning,
<Yes, I can>
but even using all my power with a soft cotton cloth, I simply cannot get the algae off. The first tank I had got a lot of scratches and having spent another US$ 10,000 on this one I do not want a repeat.

The company installing the acrylic told me to use soft cotton cloth for cleaning only, but having spent 5 hours in the water today, all muscles in my arms hurting, and still algae on the acrylic I am getting a little bit desperate.
<Yes>
Anything you can suggest would be highly appreciated.
Best regards,
Steen Jansen
<A few "things" come to mind... most importantly, "just" waiting a few more weeks to a couple months may well lead to succession of sorts with the harder, more resistant algae being replaced with softer varieties your SAE's can/will be able to remove. Besides that though, there are newer types of "algae magnets" that are useful for acrylic tanks (won't scratch unless you get gravel stuck between them) that I encourage you to look into... the bigger size ones the better... and hopefully folks have them there in Thailand for sale or you can find an etailer that can/will ship them to you. Lastly, do look into Eheim's Ehfi-Grob or Fein filter media... a one-time purchase of a bit of this polyethylene canister filter "wool" will help you in your scrubbing safely. This material is what our service companies mainly employed as "scrubbers" for large (expensive) acrylic tanks. Unfortunately, there are no useful "biological cleaners" or chemical treatments to recommend. Bob Fenner>

Re: Algae and acrylic
Hi Bob,
Thank you for your quick response.
<Welcome>
I have a feeling that there are different kinds of acrylic, some more soft than others.
<You are correct... even gauged by their percentage of water content>
The first time I cleaned the tank, I used water and a (I thought) 100 % cotton tea towel on the outside. That actually scratched the acrylic! I am now using an extremely soft synthetic Chamois for outside cleaning.

The only kind of biological cleaner I know, and have used with success, is Barley straw. That kills the algae (green water algae), but not the algae growing on glass and acrylic. I have a garden pond with 6 Piranhas ( 35-40cm and weighs in at around 3-4 kg) and barley straw keeps that pond crystal clear despite heavy algae growth on the walls. The problem with Barley however is that it needs to be in direct light and in big bags this is not a nice view in an aquarium!
<Yes... useful in ponds, but not aquariums>
I realize that the tank does need a break-in period and things may with time change to the better. As an example the hardness started at 5 (my water supply is 2) and then grew by 1 a day up to 12 KH. By cleaning the tank every 4 to 5 days and change of 20% of the water KH is now 7 and only going up by 1/2 to 1 per day. I intend to run it at around 2 to 3 KH as the other tank I have.
<Good accounting>
I am protecting the tank from direct sun (one side covered during the day).
The other side does not receive direct sun, but to avoid reflections it is covered until around 11 AM. For lighting I am using 36 18w tubes with reflectors, 50% 11 AM to 10 PM, 100% from 2 PM to 8 PM. Do you think this is too much and could be the reason for the serious algae growth and hardness of the algae?
<Not likely... due to the depth of the system. I do think your and I's comment re "a break in period" is useful here. Over time your live plants should sharply limit nutrient availability to the algae and compete biochemically with it>
Unfortunately Thailand is a real 3rd World country if you need something special (I had to import my C02 computers myself) and even if I order and buy an algae cleaning tool with 100% no scratching effect, I cannot depend on what the dealer tells me. I have looked at Eheim's web pages, but cannot find the products you mention. The wool I use in my Eheim filters seems very hard to me and I would be afraid to use it on the acrylic.
<They are there: Ehfi-Grob and Ehfi-Fein>
I did find a Danish aquarium shop selling non-scratching brushes for acrylic though, so I will email them to see what they can guarantee.
Thanks again.
Best regards,
Steen
<Hope to see your system in person one day. Bob Fenner>

Cleaning Refugium
I just finished building a custom acrylic sump/refugium. In the process I used some buffing compound and polish both inside and out ( mostly outside). What should I use to clean it with before using it? Rinse it with water, bleach, vinegar or other?
<Just freshwater and paper towels>
PS Just ordered the new WWM Reef Inverts. book to read on vacation.
Thanks as always, Ken
<Know you will enjoy it. Bob Fenner>

Magnet Cleaners for Acrylic Aquariums
Do you recommend using magnet cleaners for acrylic aquariums. I have a 160 gallon (only a few months old so we have lots of algae blooming!) and it is killing me to clean the tank. Would a magnet help? I have found one that I'm interested in getting (see link below). Wanted to make sure you didn't see any problem with using them. Thanks! http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/cleaning equipment/103899.html

Magnet Cleaners for Acrylic Aquariums
credit cards will definitely not scratch the acrylic?
<They never have when I've used them. Many types of scrubbers work fine if regularly employed (once, twice weekly) with care to not "pick up" gravel et al. material twixt the pad and the acrylic. My all time fave material is the "Grob Flocken" of Eheim.
Bob Fenner>

- Cleaning Acrylic Tanks -
credit cards will definitely not scratch the acrylic? <Not in my experience. Cheers, J -- >

Magnet Cleaners for Acrylic Aquariums
Do you know where I can get "Grob Flocken" of Eheim? Do places like Marine Depot or somewhere else carry it? Thanks so much for your help! :)
<Most all dealers of Eheim products sell their media. It's the larger grade white one... comes in a couple size boxes... the small one will do... the stuff lasts forever... or at least half this long. Bob Fenner>

Is acrylic scratch remover safe for fish?
Hello Mr. Fenner,
I just got finished putting my new tank together. I have the powerheads, the heater, and the aragonite sand and water in. I have not yet put it the salt. I'm just testing the components and letting the sand dust settle. While inspecting my tank, I noticed in the light that there seems to be a very slight haze in a couple upper corners of the tank. I believe it might be from the TruVu SRK (scratch remover kit).
<This may be so... or typical "stress fracturing" marks from heat-bending in those areas>
I might of accidentally not rubbed off all of the scratch remover paste thingy. The water has a oil spill type look when viewed at a lower angle. Is this bad? Shall I take out the water and wash the tank again? Please help. Thank You.
<Ahh, our businesses (retail and service) used to sell many TruVu/Aquaplex tanks... and I've spent many hours with the green and tan pastes you mention in their scratch removal kit. This material is not toxic. I would not take the tank down, or worry. Bob Fenner>
Stan

Re: Is acrylic scratch remover safe for fish?
Thank you very much. That is what some people suggested on ReefCentral, but to hear it from an expert like you makes me feel so much better.
Thank
you again and have a Happy New Year.
Stan
<You as well my friend. Be chatting. Bob Fenner>

Taking out scratches from the inside
Bob,
do you know of any acrylic scratch removal kit that works underwater?
<No... all require draining the system at least down to the level of the work. Bob Fenner> Thanks,
Lee

Used/Old 100 Gallon Acrylic Tank: DIY Cleaning\Maintenance 9/22/2009
Hello!
<Hi David, MikeV here.>
I recently acquired a *very used and dirty* 100 gallon (60 x 18 x 20) acrylic aquarium tank.
<Congratulations.>
It's so dirty and scratched that I'm considering putting in a bleach solution to sit over night (or longer) before cleaning it more. Previously, it was sitting outside someone's house (unused) for 3-5 years and when I emptied out the dirt and leaves I also found a dead bird's corpse as well.
Do you have any suggestions on how to clean this, more than a bleach solution and lots of soft scrubbing? I'm told there are no leaks, so if I can't get the scratches out, I want to use it as a sump for a larger/future
system.
<The trick to cleaning it is to minimize any additional scratching. Rinse it with lots of water, and let it soak full of water for a day or so to loosen any dirt. Once the tank is clean, wipe the acrylic down with vinegar That should remove any yellowing in the acrylic. You can bleach it to sanitize after this.>
Thanks!
<MikeV>

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