How the h%$* do I get coralline algae off my acrylic tank?

[texman]

I have a deep acrylic tank (36") with 3 sides that need to be cleaned. Coralline algae is growing like crazy. I have been using a kent scraper, but the blade gets dull very quickly. (I do sharpen it using a grinder - but they still don't last very long) My magnavore VIII does not touch it. My main problem is the thick plates of algae that form near the bottem where I don't have a very good angle of attack with my scraper, and in the corners. Anybody got any good ideas? Are there any soft metal scrapers (aluminum) out there which will not scratch the acrylic?

 

[Anonymous]

Let me say first that I've never tried this. But maybe if you got a piece of like 8000 or 12000 grit wet/dry sand paper and used that with your magnet cleaner? That's how I would go about it anyway.

HTH,
po

 

[Anonymous]

texman-

fwiw- i had a problem with coralline on acrylic, as well-i don't think there is any way to remove it w/out eventually scratching the acrylic.the bottom of the sides is especially problematic-if you get the tiniest grain of anything trapped between the pane, and whatever you're using-scratch city! it's the main reason i switched back to glass tanks.(i've seen acrilyc scratch from a fingernail!)even w/a plastic scraper-the coralline itself can scratch, as it 'slides' off the wall...

 

[texman]

Thanks vitz - maybe I will switch back to glass. Could you please help me disassemle my 500g tank, take out all the 300 or so corals, each of which probably took me an hour to glue on, in addition to the grey hairs that I have developed. Then, you will need to help me install the new tank, but first we will have to tear out my walls so that I can get it in my house. Bring 5 of your friends and a crane, so that we can lift it onto the stand!

Just kidding! I did think of that, but it would be impossible to change over now without taking 6 months off work to do it.

I am hoping that someone will come up with an ultasonic cleaning head that will break up the stuff so you can just wipe it off. That does exist as medical technology (as well as dental).

 

[Anonymous]

interesting idea you just gave me-what about those 'sonic toothbrushes' that are now on the infomercials? it may work, if you can adapt it to work under water...(they're battery operated).

ahh..the new reef keeper's invention-someone could get rich on this one...
:wink:

 

[Anonymous]

We use sonic toothbrushes in the lab to tear tissue off of coral skeletons.

Works wonders.

 

[howman1]

i can relate to your problem
the only thing that helps are sea urchins, when they thin out the coraline, i can use my credit card to remove what is left over

i am switching over to glass

howard

 

[texman]

OK - I am offering $1000 to anyone that can invent an ultrasonic toothbrush that I can attach to the end of my scraper and which will survive immersion in salt water for more than 5 minutes. Of course, it will need to work getting rid of coralline algae.

 

[Anonymous]

why don't you try buying one, and then jury rig(mickey mouse) it? siliconing the body/handle,and remote wiring the batteries should do the trick.much cheaper,too :wink:

who knows?while doing this, you may invent a new casing that will give you a patentable design :idea: :wink:

 

[aesop]

I have an Oral B brush (excel 3d) and it looks like its a sealed unit. SO you might want to give that a go. Works great on your teeth too

 

[Reefguide]

Iwould buy a seperate unit... What if you start to grow coraline on your teeth ? :?

 

[Anonymous]

:lol: