scratches on outside of tank wall... oops!

[donald432]

it's my own fault, there was a small splotch of something on there that my compulsive behavior would not allow to exist, and i stupidly hit it with the wrong side of the sponge.

now there is a fuzzy array of scratches that stands out like a crackhouse in a wealthy neighborhood. is there anything that can be done to remove the scratches and restore the tank to its former glory?

it is a very small (maybe 2 gallons?) plastic aquarium, it holds three fancy guppies which are very small and vibrant. the blurry scuff mark saddens me.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Since it is only 2g, I'd suggest just replacing it or upgrading.

 

[Hellbore]

Well, plastic can be polished.... not sure how though. Google it. I know it can be done.

 

[BettaFishMommy]

for that small a tank it's not worth the effort and expenditure to buff out the scratches. just invest in a new small tank and make it a glass one, it'll look so much better than plastic!

then save the plastic one for a qt tank.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

I know how you feel. Since the tank is already set up and sitting there what can you do simple and free to polish the scuff marks back out. Take clean old cotton T-shirt small rag and place some plain white fine toothpaste on it (not the stuff with speckles & sparkles) and with a little water make it like a paste-wax and hand buff it a little everyday and the fuz will disappear. One good thing about scratches on the outside whether glass or plastic you can work on them while the tank is full a little-bit here and there and before you know it the scratch is gone.

 

[MChorse13]

you can try the novus stuff or petco is having the 1 dlr per gln sale

 

[H2Ogal]

I know how you feel. Since the tank is already set up and sitting there what can you do simple and free to polish the scuff marks back out. Take clean old cotton T-shirt small rag and place some plain white fine toothpaste on it (not the stuff with speckles & sparkles) and with a little water make it like a paste-wax and hand buff it a little everyday and the fuz will disappear. One good thing about scratches on the outside whether glass or plastic you can work on them while the tank is full a little-bit here and there and before you know it the scratch is gone.

Awesome tip!

 

[Pharaoh]

Yep, if the toothpaste doesn't work. A $5 bottle of Novus polish should do the trick.

 

[fishieperson321]

sorry to hijack an old thread but if i drop the water level below the scratch is it safe to do toothpaste on the inside of the tank?

 

[prober]

Maybe, but you will still have to rinse the toothpaste somehow. I wouldn't do it.