Equipment - Scratched Glass Repairable?

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Scratched Glass Repairable?

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66236
Printed Date: July 27 2026 at 1:25pm
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Topic: Scratched Glass Repairable?

Posted By: Blake
Subject: Scratched Glass Repairable?
Date Posted: August 26 2013 at 12:41am

So I've been excited to bust out an old tank I had that I got back in 95. I decided I'd like to get it out and try out my first saltwater reef tank! I got it out today and realized that it was fairly scratched on the inside of the tank. Not horribly, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist. The scrachtes are deep, very shallow but there are a quit a bit. I think it was from a sponge that used to clean the tank back in the day that was too abrasive.

So my question is is there anyway to "polish" the class or do some kind of glass repair? I don't know if that is possible at all, but I didn't want to spend $100+ dollars on a new 30 gallon. I wanted to use this old one to save the money and get me started in saltwater until I upgraded to a bigger tank down the road. Anyway, if there are any thoughts, please let me know. The scratches may not even be as visable when it is filled (or so I hope, ha) Thanks everyone.

Replies:

Posted By: phys
Date Posted: August 26 2013 at 12:44am

It would cost a bit of time and money to do this. The stuff I know to use to polish glass is called cerium oxide. The only place I've found it is online. You'll also need a buffer (like you'd use for waxing a car) and a pad. It could take a few hours to do. And will only be useful for shallow scratches.

Posted By: Jeepkid
Date Posted: August 26 2013 at 1:44am

As an alternative, Petco has those dollar per gallon sales every now and then. So you might find a brand new 30g for $30.

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Brian.

"It's a Jeep thing!"

Posted By: phys
Date Posted: August 26 2013 at 2:18am

Good idea right there considering you may spend more getting the scratches out. You'd probably want to redo the silicone on the tank also.

Posted By: djknauss
Date Posted: August 26 2013 at 3:00am

there's always free tanks on ksl, or really cheap ones if you are patient. the glass on a 30 gal is not very thick, which doesn't leave a lot of room to polish out the scratches, sounds like a lot of work...

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55 gallons of impulsive additions and subtractions.

Posted By: Blake
Date Posted: August 26 2013 at 9:21am

Yeah, I've herd of that sale. Do you guys know how often and usually when the run it around. We were anxious to get the tank started this week :) So we may just go for it. From what I read the scratches aren't as visible when the tank is filled with water. Maybe I'm just being to optimistic :)

Posted By: djknauss
Date Posted: August 26 2013 at 9:29am

the last one they had ended about a month or so ago. i would fill it up as a dry run to see if it leaks, that way you will also see how badly the scratches appear

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55 gallons of impulsive additions and subtractions.

Posted By: Blake
Date Posted: August 27 2013 at 12:36am

I cleaned it out and filled it up today. It didn't leak, so that is a good start :) The scratches were visible, but not terribly. I am just wondering when i get my t5 lights if they will show up even more! Cross your fingers for me :)I think I am going to pass on trying to polish it though. I am agreeing with what you guys are saying, it might be more work than its worth. I think I'll set this tank up and if i come across a 30 gallon on sale then I'll pick it up and transfer my stock into the new tank. Would that be difficult?

Anyway, thanks for the advice/input

Posted By: phys
Date Posted: August 27 2013 at 12:50am

Not difficult at all! Dooo iiittttt! Lol

Posted By: Blake
Date Posted: August 29 2013 at 1:47am

I ended up just fillin my tank. The scratches are that visible at all :) Thanks for the advice!