Fixing Scratches On Glass

[Faffer1262]

I have been offered a Juwel Rio 125 for £50. It has the old style filter where you have to remove the pump head to take out the filter medium baskets.
Along the inside top couple of inches of the glass at the front there are quite a lot of scratches . Can anyone tell me if these are as visible when the tank is full of water?
Is there anyway of reducing the effect of the scratches if they are visible?
Although the tank and stand seem a good price to me I am concerned that the scratches will stand out and distract from the fish as when you put the light on with the empty tank it really makes the scratches stand out.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

 

[ZoddyZod]

there's a good chance that they will look much less obvious when filled with water, but there is only one way to find out for sure....

 

[forby3]

Apply polishing or jeweler's rouge to a lambs wool buffing pad. You can either buff the scratch by hand using a circular motion or with an electric buffer on medium speed.
2
Wash the polishing compound, jeweler's rouge or whitening toothpaste off from time to time in order to check on the progress of the scratch removal.
3
Mix two ounces of ammonia with two quarts of water. You may want to be sure to hold your nose closed during this process! Also, always wear rubber gloves and safety goggles when working with ammonia.
4
Clean the glass surface with the ammonia water with a clean soft sponge.
5
Dry the glass with a lint free towel. If the scratches are not completely gone, they should at least be less apparent. If there is no significant difference, consider contacting a glass company to replace or rebuff the glass.

 

[doresy]

Depends on you requirements really.

The scratches look pretty deep so polishing will take an age and they will probably still show anyway so if your tank is going to be a feature then........?

If you just want another tank for stock then the scratches wont matter too much as they are not detrimental to holding water.

I have heard of people removing the filter then turning the tank around using the back as the front.

My last thought is £50 for an old rio 125 is quite a lot and I would look around for a better deal....(I sold a perfect one with a cabinet for £65 including filter, heater and gravel)

 

[This Old Spouse]

Couldn't you turn the tank around so the scratches are in the back?

 

[Faffer1262]

Doresy,
how do you find your fluval tank compared to your old juwel?

My other option is a Fluval roma 125 although thats a lot newer and £110 but in perfect condition.

£65 for your old tank! Let me know when you sell your next one

 

[saltynay]

It would take you forever to buff those out or fill them with an epoxy then polish them perfect.

For the record toothpaste can be used to buff out external scratches on a tank for cheap.

 

[doresy]

Doresy,
how do you find your fluval tank compared to your old juwel?

My other option is a Fluval roma 125 although thats a lot newer and £110 but in perfect condition.

£65 for your old tank! Let me know when you sell your next one

The old Juwel was fine and unlike a few here I found the filter system adequate. As far as my comparison on the 2 tanks I can only say that there is no comparison between internal and external filtration

 

[Faffer1262]

Added water to the Rio and all but a few scratches vanished! so I have opted for the Juwel as both tanks came with an internal filter. Although I prefer the cabinet of the Roma I cant really justify the extra £60 at the moment. Will try and post my progress so much has changed since I last kept fish. Back then undergravel filtration was the in thing!

 

[doresy]

Added water to the Rio and all but a few scratches vanished! so I have opted for the Juwel as both tanks came with an internal filter. Although I prefer the cabinet of the Roma I cant really justify the extra £60 at the moment. Will try and post my progress so much has changed since I last kept fish. Back then undergravel filtration was the in thing!

Undergravel filter days? remember them well.....also the big metal frame all around the tank with a load of extra, badly applied, sealent over it!

 

[bullit]

I tried the rouge and a electric buffer but it didnt touch it. I always regretted buying it.