It’s very difficult to scrape coralline algae from an acrylic wall

[Miami Reef]

I had a few guests tell me my tank looks very dirty because of all the coralline algae on the back wall.

My cousin even said, “why don’t you hire someone to clean it?”

Oof.

I used to scrape it meticulously, but it’s extremely difficult to scrape the overflow because it’s acrylic. The metal blades catch and snag on the overflow, and the plastic ones don’t make a dent on the coralline.

Does anyone have advice?


Update: I found a good scraper that works for my tank.

Here’s the after result:

 

[Reefering1]

I like to think of it as a phase. Once you have complete coverage and cuc keeps it clean, it's the perfect background

 

[polyppal]

CCA on the back panel is a badge of honor (and looks way better than plain acrylic)

Tell your friends to get educated

 

[mch1984]

To heck with him, let it turn purple.

 

[Miami Reef]

I think the issue is partly from the brown diatom growth that’s on the coralline?

Edit for clarification: maybe it’s the brown diatoms that’s causing the “dirty” appearance?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Tell them to clean their brains

 

[Reefering1]

You're building a ecosystem, not painting a picture. The good, bad, and ugly. A Mr clean sponge would wipe the diatoms away, without hurting the acrylic, but it will just keep coming back; maybe on the rocks instead if you keep wiping the back everyday.
Your tank looks great!! (I wish my 180's back wall looked like that) They don't know what they're seeing and being superficial.

 

[Miami Reef]

You're building a ecosystem, not painting a picture. The good, bad, and ugly. A Mr clean sponge would wipe the diatoms away, without hurting the acrylic, but it will just keep coming back; maybe on the rocks instead if you keep wiping the back everyday.
Your tank looks great!! (I wish my 180's back wall looked like that) They don't know what they're seeing and being superficial.

Thank you. Leaving the back as it is would be much easier on me. I would have no problems keeping the back clean, but the acrylic overflow box makes it extremely difficult. The blades does not pass through the acrylic easily.

 

[Reefifier]

I use old creditcards, seems to work pretty well. There's even a creditcard holder for scrapung available on amazon.

 

[voelter76]

I had a few guests tell me my tank looks very dirty because of all the coralline algae on the back wall.

My cousin even said, “why don’t you hire someone to clean it?”

Oof.

I used to scrape it meticulously, but it’s extremely difficult to scrape the overflow because it’s acrylic. The metal blades catch and snag on the overflow, and the plastic ones don’t make a dent on the coralline.

Does anyone have advice?

Let it grow!!!!!!

 

[Tamberav]

Leave it, who cares what they think.

If it really bothers you, I guess for the next tank, scape rocks in front of the overflow so the coral colonies block it out.

Or change to a rock wall with some tall growing sps there.

Remember the tank is for you and not your guests.

 

[flashsmith]

Urchins keep my tank Coralline free. I hate the look of it.

 

[bandando]

I have a tank made of acrilic and it’s possible to remove the coralline algae only with a piece of acrilic with sharp edges.

 

[exnisstech]

I've never cleaned the back wall.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

They make these plastic razor blades. Same size as a single edge but hard plastic. You can give those a try.
plastic razor blades

 

[jackson6745]

Urchins keep my tank Coralline free. I hate the look of it.

How many urchin in what size tank? I have 6 tuxedo and 2 white urchin in a 200. They’re no where near keeping up,

 

[JTP424]

Urchins to help eat it. Or drop something encrusting on there!

 

[crazyfishmom]

Why not add some beautiful cyphastreas to the back wall and make it a “starry night” like backdrop? Tank looks awesome as is IMO but if it bothers YOU that’s a different story.

 

[Reefering1]

I always thought urchins on acrylic was a problem??

 

[KStatefan]

Run your tank how you want it