Eric's Super-Duper Coralline Scraping Tip-O'-the-Day!

[perpetual98]

Hey kids! I found this out the other day when I was about to tackle a huge coralline scraping job and couldn't find either of my plastic scrapers. I went out to the garage where I have one of these babies hanging on my peg-board. Decided "what the heck" and pulled out a new blade, wiped it off and went after the coralline. To my shock, the coralline came off like it was a post-it note. :) When you're done, you can try to rinse the blade and keep it, or you can just toss it because you have a pile of them.

Anyway, here's what I was using, or a reasonable facsimile. I bought a cheaper version at Menards than the Stanley ones.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002MOKD4.01-A1787XOD7Q2I4M._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1090026957_.jpg

[dakar]

Those thick blades work like a champ for coralline...no worries about pieces chipping off the blade like the thinner single edged type with the little metal backing. Though I haven't found a good scraper to put them into where you can use the full length of the blade flat on the glass yet, those two notches in back of the blade tend to eat holes in your fingers after a while...

[perpetual98]

I hear ya there Dave. Maybe put a layer or two of tape on the back of the blade over those notches? I'll gleefully take finger damage compared to the 30 minutes of scraping and the sore arm that I'd get with the plastic scraper. :)

[lReef lKeeper]

i have the scraper you guys need !! look in the paint department at Lowes or HD. it is black plastic and just right to fit in your hand ... pic below ...

2335

[dakar]

AH-HAH! That's the critter I need... I'll have to scour through HD my next run.

[Sweetpea]

i have the scraper you guys need !! look in the paint department at Lowes or HD. it is black plastic and just right to fit in your hand ...

I picked one up this morning, and I have to say it was the BEST $2.29 I have EVER spent!!! THANK YOU Bobby!!! :thumbright:

[lReef lKeeper]

glad to be of help, Tracy !!

[graphixx]

Damm you people and your glass tanks!!! I would be scared to try it on my acrylic tank!!!! Dave do you think I would run the risk of scratching it. I am of the thought I probably would. especially the front of it since its a bow front and the blade would not make full contact with the surface. ANY THOUGHTS????

[lReef lKeeper]

that is one for me to think about Greg. if i can come up with something i will let you know.

[perpetual98]

Greg, how about this? :)

http://www.homier.com/thumbnail.asp?a=02977&b=600&c=600

[dakar]

Greg, we only have one acrylic tank, the walltank, and to be honest it's the last acrylic tank we'll ever own. A grain or two of sand caught between a plastic blade and the tank rendered HUGE scratches. We've already considered and still are considering rebuilding it with glass.

Noway would I put a razor blade to acrylic...

[graphixx]

that is kind of what I was thinking! Yeah acrylic is very very tempermental to abraisives!!!! I have a couple pretty good scratches on this tank.

[ramoth41]

Try a plastic pancake turner or any heavy plastic scraper.. thats about all I can think of and you still might scratch the darn thing!

[Reef_Angel]

Hey, you know...I became the owner of the scraper Bobby sent to Dave. I had all 3 tanks to clean, and wow...what a job it did. I said I was gonna kiss Bobby, and Dave told him. Jerk!!

Anyway, this one's to you Greg. I used it on my acrylic wall tank, and I swear it looks better than ever before. Plus I did that tank last! I imagine if you use a nice fresh blade when you clean the sides of your acrylic tank, you won't see a scratch on it...unless of course you work like most men and just crank on the tank walls!! I really like it, but don't let the word out to loud. This department hopping were doing instead of staying only in the reef area is gonna get around. Then they'll get cocky and mark up all the tools those of us reefers are buying! Same thing with crazy glue. You can find big bottles of it elsewhere as well. Check the craft area, and if you've ever seen those pen catelogs that you can make your own beautiful pens from, they have it in a pretty good sized bottle for about $7.

**Reefer's Rule, and we will infiltrate all departments of all store types to find what we need to keep our reefs happy! ....and if you can't find it, ask a woman! ;) ....Angel :angel1: