Last Updated on June 10, 2024 by admins
Wondering how to remove scratches from the acrylic aquarium? Stay with us and learn how to preserve its beauty for as long as possible.
An inexpensive acrylic fish tank is a budget-friendly option adored by all beginners in this hobby. Although acrylic glass is quite durable, it is sometimes susceptible to surface damage such as scratches and scuffs. The good thing is that such scratches will not affect the integrity of the tank, but they can still negatively affect its aesthetic appearance.
Keep reading and learn how to remove scratches from the acrylic aquarium.
Table of Contents
How Deep Are The Scratches?
Before you wonder how to remove scratches from the acrylic aquarium, it is necessary to determine the severity of the scratches. To check this, you can do a quick test by running your fingernail over the affected area.
If you don’t feel the scratches at all, that means they are pretty shallow and accordingly easy to repair. You don’t have to be afraid of moderate scratches either, because the damage is repairable in most cases, although sometimes harder or easier. Eventually, we come to deeper scratches, which may not be completely repaired, but you can still try one of the following methods.
How To Remove Scratches From The Acrylic Aquarium?
Depending on where the scratch is located, you may need to empty it and find temporary housing for your tank’s livestock. In any case, it is recommended to remove scratches from an empty aquarium than a water-filled one.
To make the process as efficient as possible, you will require some tools, such as an electric or battery-operated hand drill and a buffing wheel. Here are some things to keep in mind when handling these tools:
- Always use the hand drill in the lowest settings, and try to spray the glass frequently with water to avoid overheating.
- Make sure that the pad on the buffing wheel is not too coarse as this may cause the glass to fog up.
- Always clean the scratched surface using a soft microfiber cloth before buffing to remove dust and gravel or sand.
- Thoroughly rinse the abrasive / polishing material with clean water after buffing out the scratches as it contains a number of hazardous chemicals that can be deadly to your aquatic pets.
Method No. 1- Toothpaste
Before you start using specialized products, try to remove scratches using teeth whitening toothpaste. You can be any type of toothpaste you find at home, but if possible, get toothpaste with baking soda if you want the best results.
All you need to do is take a small amount of toothpaste and rub it on scratches using cotton swabs. It is very important to spray it regularly with water because the paste starts to stick to the surface very quickly.
If you have smaller and shallower scratches, this method is ideal for you. It is also adapted for both glass and acrylic aquariums. For more moderate scratches, it is suggested to use an electric hand drill attached with some sort of buffing wheel.
Method No. 2 – Cerium Peroxide
If you are wondering how to remove scratches from the acrylic aquarium, try cerium oxide. This abrasive, pale yellow-white-looking powder is used to polish and remove fine scratches and scuff marks from all glass and acrylic surfaces. Best of all, it is quite affordable, you can buy it from any local hardware shop or online.
As for the process itself, you must first make a liquid paste by mixing water with cerium oxide in a 2: 1 ratio. Before each use, try to shake the bottle thoroughly to prevent the powder from settling down at the bottom. Then, prepare your hand drill and attach it to the buffing wheel that you have previously soaked in cerium oxide solution.
Turn on the drill and polish the acrylic glass with slow movements to remove scratches. Try not to do the buffing part more than is required. Once you are done polishing, simply rinse the surface off with clean water, and that would be it.
In Conclusion
When you notice scratches in your aquarium tank, you don’t have to panic right away. Most of them are pretty easy to solve, although there are exceptions. The easiest way to get rid of them is by using teeth whitening toothpaste or cerium oxide.
As for the tools needed for this procedure, you can do it by hand, using cotton swabs, or with an electric hand, drill attached via a polishing wheel. More demanding and deeper scratches will require the use of liquid glass resin.
FAQs
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