Too many scratches in my Acrylic Tank

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I have a 150 gallon 4 year old acrylic reef tank which has accumulated
multiple scratches(inadvertant from trapping sand between the tank wall
and cleaning sponges) The scratches are getting to the point that
they are quite distracting to me. Further, the tank has alot of
stacked live rock which blocks good access to places where the
scratches are located. I have considered using a scratch removal kit
to do small areas of the tank while leaving all organisms in the tank,
but
I cannot remove much live rock without having entire portions of the
live rock structure collapsing. Have others had this problem? I have
an acrylic scratch removal kit. Is it a realistic plan to totally tear
down the live rock, and store it in a container with circulating water,
remove all corals, fish, clams, etc, do a total scratch renovation, and
then get everything back in without a very significant loss of life?

[Richard Hoffpauir]

I've taken apart my 75g tank without any loss of corals.
1) Make sure your temporary tub is large enough to hold everything you
will take out before you start.
2) Exchange portions of the new salt water between the tub and tank for
a few days before you to take down your 150g tank. That will eliminate
any acclimation shock to the water in the tub.
3) In addition to the circulation in the tub, make sure your tub water
is the same temperature as your tank water.

Good Luck,
Richard

--
Richard Hoffpauir
Water Resources Engineering
http://www.rjhoffpauir.com

[Margolis]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> I have a 150 gallon 4 year old acrylic reef tank which has accumulated
> multiple scratches(inadvertant from trapping sand between the tank wall
> and cleaning sponges) The scratches are getting to the point that
> they are quite distracting to me. Further, the tank has alot of
> stacked live rock which blocks good access to places where the
> scratches are located. I have considered using a scratch removal kit
> to do small areas of the tank while leaving all organisms in the tank,
> but
> I cannot remove much live rock without having entire portions of the
> live rock structure collapsing. Have others had this problem? I have
> an acrylic scratch removal kit. Is it a realistic plan to totally tear
> down the live rock, and store it in a container with circulating water,
> remove all corals, fish, clams, etc, do a total scratch renovation, and
> then get everything back in without a very significant loss of life?
>


that is why I refuse to use acrylic tanks. I avoid them like the plague.
Just think what it will look like in 20 years. even glass scratches too
easily, acrylic is worthless. imho. And you know with the scratch removal
kits that it causes the acrylic all around where you are fixing the scratch
to become not as clear as it was.

just my 2¢

--

Margolis
http://web.archive.org/web/20030215212142/http://www.agqx.org/faqs/AGQ2FAQ.htm
http://www.unrealtower.org/faq

[Rick]

Yes glass is the way to go and that is what i have on my main tank but
I also have a acrylic tank. I also will never buy another acrylic
tank.

Acrylic does scratch easy which also means its easy to repair
Here is a qucik fix that I did on my 20+ yr old Acrylic Tank

What you need is a super fine polising compound. Then you will do a
test area on the tank with the compound to be sure it is not to
abrasive and scratch evn more.

FORGET THOSE MESSY REPAIR KITS-
DO WHAT I USED EVERY HOUSEHOLD HAS IT
WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT SUPERFINE COMPOUND TO USE IS?

READY?

TOOTHPASTE- I buffed out the scratches on my tank using colgate and
it really worked empty the tank first of course. you have to work at
it a little rubbing out the scratch. I did a test area first to besure
the toothpaste is not to abrasive. Not only did it remove the
scratches but the fish havnt needed a checkup and have fresh breath.
LOL........

Really,toothpate will work. It is also good to remove scratches on
cars.

[WayneSallee.com]

Why not use the lifeguard pad, and buff it under water with everything still in
the tank?

Wayne Sallee