Removing scratches and water stains from a glass aquarium

How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Aquarium

Nothing's more relaxing than watching colorful fish swim peacefully in a glass aquarium. But when hard water stains obscure the view, aquarium owners usually feel their stress levels rise. Hard water stains are caused by minerals in the water and do not harm the fish. Hard water stains in aquariums are inevitable, but cleaning them doesn't have to cause stress.

Step:

1.    Remove fish, plants, filter and all accessories from the aquarium. Pour out the water and the gravel.

2.  Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Lemon or lime juice can be substituted for the vinegar if desired. The acid in the vinegar or juice will break down hard water stains.

3.   Spray the vinegar solution on the hard water stains and rub with a cloth. Use a nylon scrubber on heavily stained areas. If an area is particularly stubborn, use a razor blade to scrape away the hard water buildup.

4.   Rinse the cleaned aquarium thoroughly. This step is crucial because the acid in vinegar, lemon or lime juice can change the tank's PH and kill the fish.

5.    Replace aquarium gravel, filter and accessories. Refill the aquarium with water and replace fish. 

How to Remove Scratches on a Glass Aquarium

While handling and cleaning glass aquariums, it can be very easy to damage the surface and leave scratches. Given the price and difficulty of obtaining aquariums, replacing one may be the last thing a fish lover wants to do. With the right supplies and some hard work, scratches can be removed from a glass aquarium.

 

Things You'll Need:

·         Cerium Noxide

·         Rubber gloves

·         Rubber disk

·         Buffing pad

1)   Determine the extent of the damage. Trace the scratches with your finger to determine how deep they go. If the damage is barely noticeable to the touch, the glass has a good chance of being repaired. However, if the scratches are deep enough that you can easily feel them, you may not be able to reverse the damage.

2)    Gather your supplies. The key supplies to fixing scratches in a glass aquarium are Cerium Noxide, rubber gloves, a drill and a rubber disk and buffing pad. Cerium Noxide can be purchased through jewelers as they use it to shine jewels and crystals or through hardware stores. Rubber gloves and buffing supplies are also located in hardware supply stores.

3)   Lower the water in the aquarium and prepare the drill. If you cannot remove all the water, empty out enough water so that you can reach the scratches. Be careful, as you will be working with a power tool near water. Make sure the drill is firmly attached with the rubber disk and buffing pad.

4)    Mix the cerium noxide with water until it becomes a type of paste. Spread the paste on the scratches until they are well covered but not buried in the mix.

5)  Power on your drill with its buffing attachment and slowly and consistently go over the scratches. Buff back and forth until the cerium noxide mix has cleared away.

6)   Review the scratches and repeat the process if necessary. Once you're done buffing, run your fingers over the damaged area and see if you can still feel any scratches and if you can still see them. If the scratches remain, repeat using the cerium noxide mix and buffing it. However, if they run too deep you may be unable to remove them.