Acrylic scratches

I have a lot of light scratches that kills the view of my established 20 gallon reef (acrylic), is there anyway i can remove them safely without taking down the whole aquarium? If not i will end up getting a glass aquarium.

The tank has a bowfront.

 

tagging along... i know marine depot has a scratch removal kit, it says it can be used under water. but i have been afraid to even try it, fear of making something not so bad worse.

are your scratches on the inside? or outside?

 

I've polished acrylic tanx, both empty and full using the same polishing cloth that comes in the kit, and it works well, provided you polish a certain way:

1) Do a small area at a time.

2) Start with the 1500 grit, and polish perpendicular to the scratches to be removed. When these scratches are gone, move to the next finer grit, and polish perpendicular to the scratches you just made with the previous grit until they are gone.

3) Repeat the above with each successive grit down to the 12,000 grit. If the tank is dry, finish with a polishing slurry in a random circular motion. If the tank is wet, stop at the 12,000 grit.

4) If the tank is dry, use lots of water when polishing (a spray bottle is fine).

It takes a bit of work, but this method is the best way to go, as you will always know when to change paper.

 

I totally agree with the previous post. Must be patient too.

 

I'm sorry if i missed something but what kit did you use?

Can i use it in a tank with water, corals/invertebrates/fish?

I hope it's succesful, otherwise i will need to take the tank down the scratches are KILLING ME... I will mainly just polish the front and sides because it would be hella difficult to polish the back without knocking all the rock work.

 

Just for thought

Lifegard Aquatics Acrylic Scratch Removal Kit 72000

I say it would be just as costly as buying a new 20 gallon glass aquarium, I would rather get a new tank, whose with me?

 

Sorry I missed this...yes, that scratch removal kit has everything you need, but you may need additional crystal bond polishing cloth, which I've gotten from Rockler's Woodworking store in the past.

Or...you can save yourself some time and trouble and get the new tank!