ACRYLIC AQUARIUMS | How To Keep Scratches To a MINIMUM!

[@philhare7851]

nice video....going to clean the 8 footer for the first time......had it for 6 months

[@SamRino]

Hi, I Just subed !!! are those Clear for Life acrylic tanks ? I just ordered one waiting for it to be delivered . Definitely worried about the scratches lol I like using HOB filters but worried I might not find one that works ( due to fit in filter slots ) with Clear for life tanks thats why I was asking to see if you have any experience with that. Great informative video !!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks for the sub! Mine are Tsunami, about the same quality as Clear For Life. I have another video on mitigating the scratching of these tanks. I learned the hard way.

[@pollylewis9611]

Love your tanks thanks for the info!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you!

[@Gilsfishroom]

After many long months of planning, building and spending $, I finally had my glass 250 gallon thank installed into a wall. The day of the first test fill, one of the kids was sweeping the floor in front of the tank, somehow making contact with the glass with the end of the broom handle resulting in a 4" -5" scratch almost dead center . That scratch is the first thing I see every time I look at that tank. 😢

[@CichlidCharmer]

Oh my gosh that is horrible. I would be just like you, and it would be the first thing I noticed. I’m sure others don’t see it like you do. I’m sure it’s still a lovely tank. Thanks for sharing your nightmare story

[@akoimo5273]

A very nice fish tank. May I know what kind of substrate are you using? Thanks

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you! It’s Caribsea aragonite. Not the kind that has live bacteria. Plain aragonite.

[@atravels1055]

You can use micro-mesh to take out visible scratches. Starting with 1500 and going up to 12,000+. Flipper has a cleaning pad that has acrylic blades too - can use that around the sand base. Testing micro-mesh out on acrylic out the water, shows some tiny micro scratches from the sanding procedure though - but any v isible scratch or deep ones are totally gone. You don't have to empty the tank either. Micro-mesh has vinyl backings that you can silicone to cleaning pads. Just swipe along in vertical/horizontal - never circle motions... working way up through higher grits.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Man that is good to know! I will look that up. Didn’t want to drain this tank!

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@atravels1055 that looks incredible. Can you give me the link to the micro mesh you bought?

[@Mcgee18]

I definitely recommend the Nimbochromis Livingstoni if you get new fish. I had one he died when he was young from bloat problems Let me know what you think about the idea

[@CichlidCharmer]

That's a great idea, Scrat! But guess what? I already have four unsexed ones in the grow out tank. One step ahead of ya! 🤩

[@Mcgee18]

@@CichlidCharmer amazing! they are beautiful aren’t they?

[@Kunoswildworld]

sir Could you please explain how to place triple canister filter inlets and outlets and wave makers... I am planning to have a 182 Gallons tank

[@CichlidCharmer]

Are you just asking where to place the intakes, outputs and wavemakers?

[@Kunoswildworld]

@@CichlidCharmer yes Sir..

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@Kunoswildworld I place all my intakes on one side corner if I can, but increasing the span of the hoses too much. In my 240g, I have one on the other side because I want as straight a shot as possible from canister to intake. I place a top Wavemaker same side as the most intakes. I place the outputs as close to the corner with the intakes as I can, all pointing the same way as the top Wavemaker. Other side, I place one lower Wavemaker pointing back at the intakes. It creates a great loop of a current that pushes all the detritus toward the intakes.

[@glowwurm9365]

So you don’t have to empty a tank to buff out the scratches, can use might magnets, mesh etc to do it whilst the tanks wet. The particles won’t hurt the fish and will be consumed by your filtration. Currently looking at a 200 gallon tank and my gut says acrylic. It will be a custom build, and the idea of waking up to a failed glass seam causes me anxiety, glass will fail, it is inevitable, just a case of seeing it in time, especially when your keeping marine with large flow rates. Sure I could brace it, steel on corners etc but would ruin the 360 degree aesthetic I’m striving for.

[@CichlidCharmer]

That's so good to know. Thank you!

[@swaggysauce9889]

First comment ya

[@CichlidCharmer]

Indeed. Thanks