Need opinions on this acrylic cube - Page 2

mike31154 · #1 10-28-2009, 04:15 PM

I don't own an acrylic tank, but have always been curious about buffing out or removing scratches on them if you do end up making an error. Sounds like a great argument that this can be done, but for the scratches on the inside, near the bottom, who's willing to empty their tank in order to do this? Especially on a very large one. Not a big deal on a nano, or maybe it is. Still stress on the inhabitants and then trying to figure out how to keep the mess to a minimum.

I've also never been a fan of any bow front or bent corner tank, glass or acrylic. Looks kind of pleasing with the round contours, but there's generally a more distorted view through that part of the tank.

Ron99 · #2 10-28-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike31154

I don't own an acrylic tank, but have always been curious about buffing out or removing scratches on them if you do end up making an error. Sounds like a great argument that this can be done, but for the scratches on the inside, near the bottom, who's willing to empty their tank in order to do this? Especially on a very large one. Not a big deal on a nano, or maybe it is. Still stress on the inhabitants and then trying to figure out how to keep the mess to a minimum.

You cold use the micro mesh polishing cloths. They are basically like sandpaper but on a cloth backing and go to 12,000 grit. They are meant for wet sanding so you could probably use it inside the tank. I doubt the small amount of plastic dust released into the water would harm anything and could probably be mostly removed by filtering and a couple of water changes. I believe they were originally made to polish scratches out of acrylic aircraft windows so they would be perfect for acrylic tanks.

sphelps · #3 10-28-2009, 05:27 PM

You can buff out acrylic scratches on the inside without emptying the tank, lost of various kits available and you can attach the buffing pads to magnets to make the process easier.

Chin_Lee · #4 10-28-2009, 05:34 PM

JUST MY OPINION but don't try to polish or buff out acrylic when its filled with water. your hand movement will stir up sand or detritus which will get into the cloth and then scratch ur acrylic even more. Personally i hate acrylic because of the scratches and the benefit of having acrylic is only when you move the tank in place or removing the tank. my experience is acrylic scratches very easily but are usually so fine you can't see it but the fine scratches compound to be visible after sometime.