Why Acrylic?
- Weight - Acrylic is a half the weight of glass, making it easier to handle and ship.
- Strength - Acrylic does not crack or shatter, glass can.
- Insulation - Acrylic does not conduct heat or cold as easily as glass. This helps to maintain the water temperature, which is a vital factor for marine life.
- Seams - Acrylic seams are stronger than the acrylic itself due to molecular bonding, while silicone used for glass seams can dry out and crack.
- Finish - Acrylic seam can be polished, making them almost invisible. Silicone used for glass can discolor due to the water content in the tank. In addition, acrylic scratches can be repaired, whereas glass cannot.
- Design - Acrylic can be more easily formed into many shapes to accommodate any design or layout.
Acrylic Maintenance
For clearing purposes of acrylic tanks do not use any cleaners which contain abrasives, ammonia or alcohol, such as Comet, Ajax or any other commercial cleaner. Otherwise, acrylic will lose its clarity. It is recommended to use soft, good quality cloth and water.
For maintenance we also recommend cleaners that are specifically designed for acrylic such as PLEXUS, which aids in removal of small scratches and helps to protect the acrylic from chemicals.
As a substitute for a soft cloth, a high grade paper towel can be used. However, it is strongly advised not to use commercial grade towels or newspapers. No sponges or pads should be used unless specifically designed for acrylic.
Aquarium Growths Removal
Some very hard growth, such as algae or diatoms, cannot be removed with cleaning pads and water. In order to solve this problem, we suggest to use a plastic putty knife or simply plastic similar to credit card. Being relatively soft, these types of material will not damage acrylic. Some scrapers designed to clean acrylic aquariums are commercially available.
Using Bleach
When you change seawater to fresh water or when a complete cleaning is required, than the use of the chlorine bleach is very effective. Consists of 1 cup of bleach and 20 cups of water, this mixture will sterilize acrylic and relatively safe to use. Some professionals recommend replacing bleach with vinegar to achieve the same effect but reduce the risk of future fish contamination. Rinsing with clean water is required after cleaning. |
