Best way to clean an acrylic fishtank without scratching?

[JESTERX626]

I scored a free acrylic 40gal tank from my dads friend. How should I go about cleaning it? I'm not sure if it's been used for FW or SW because its nighttime and my outdoor light isnt very strong. Since it wont be setup for awhile I have alot of time to buff it real nice and clean.

So what should I use to clean it? Any chemicals needed? thanks!

 

[cougar579]

I would rinse it out first to get any particles off the the sides of the tank. You could then see how it looks filled up with water. For the most part acrylic tanks look good while"wet". The water tends to hide a lot of the scratches. For normal cleaning just buy a acrylic safe brush. You could contact your local plastic supllier or look online for a acrylic buffing kit.

 

[Kin Corvida]

I've had good results from using just a regular sponge and tap water, no cleaning agents, just good ol' sunlight to dry it up good and proper.

Acrylic can get scratched real easily i've found, unfortunately...



Kin

 

[fishmaven]

Don't use windex !!! It causes the surface to fracture. Use a polishing compound specially made for acrylics.

Do a search here on the forum. There are recent threads.

When cleaning inside the tank, make sure you haven't picked up gravel or anything else on the pad or sponge you've chosen to use. Take the pad away from the front and squeeze it several times between touching the viewing "glass."

 

[RadleyMiller]

API Safe and Easy is great. I like it and it comes in a spray or wipe version.