[Papa Doug]

Thanks guys. Seems to be a concensus with a few now, that a bit of green remains. And it seems I,m crap out of luck regarding polishing them out.

[Papa Doug]

Most stock is now moved into the main tank. As shown, the scratches are terrible and seems to be no resolve.

First is a full tank pic. Still just running a 175w 10K and some supplements. First scratch pic is the bad one. Several others like the third pic shows. The 4th. is of the large single overflow with a 1.5in. drain.

[Papa Doug]

These help show some of the bottom. I used a centered aragonite covered acrylic piece, where most of the rock is, with the rest being bare glass. I have my usual clown and other fishie homes, made from pvc pipes.

The last pic shows a general staff meeting over in the corner. Guess wondering since I,m there, whens feeding time.

[zhenya]

Doug,

I agree, the scratches are quite visible. I'm surprized you didn't return this tank, I realize that I don't know all the details of the transaction but it looks like the guy got away with one. Originally I thought it was something superficial, perhaps in the corners or something...

[Papa Doug]

Originally Posted by zhenya

Doug,

I agree, the scratches are quite visible. I'm surprized you didn't return this tank, I realize that I don't know all the details of the transaction but it looks like the guy got away with one. Originally I thought it was something superficial, perhaps in the corners or something...

Not if it was done in my house by someone. The lfs owner is someone I know well and have spent thousands at. His work is usually better than most. So far, from what I can find out, thats the standard "starfire" glass from PPG. I have no idea what the clear edge stuff is some speak about.

Although I wish I had know about "starfire", low iron or whatever this type of glass is. I have no idea what caused the first large scratch but think the others are from someone wiping the original scratch to see if its dirt. Guess it did not take much in the cloth to scratch the glass. Whatever it was, it did not bother the other three panes.

On an additional note, you're correct in that they are quite visable. They do basically wreck the display. I went ahead with it, because I figure I,m screwed anyways.

[zhenya]

Although I wish I had know about "starfire", low iron or whatever this type of glass is.

Doug,
I wish you had contacted Ninong about this type of glass before the fact. I know that he researched this extensively prior to buying his 120 from Mitch.
Personally, I have no clue if this glass is any softer than any other glass pane...and if it could be scratched by a cloth with some dust or dirt on it. I can understand some crashed coral or sand doing it, on any glass becouse I've done it on my 110g tank. Not as long a scratch but visible nonetheless, I just learned to live with it after a while.
I don't want to make things worse and keep telling you that those scratches are visible either. Just seem unfair to me is all.

[dougc]

My 210 had a scratch in the front panel, which I did not notice until there was water in the tank. My new 180 doesn't have any scratches, but I don't recommend the solution that got me a scratch-free tank.

My old hexagonal tank, which I had for years, had all sorts of scratches. I had a deep sand bed, which probably made scratches more likely. My new tank is bare-bottom, so at least I won't scratch it with sand caught under a magnet.

It is probably inevitable that tanks get scratches, but I do wonder whether the starfire is more prone to that.

[Papa Doug]

On an RC thread we have going regarding this topic, someone called PPG and he posted they said all starfire has a "azur blue" edge. So this would be mine. Seems to be the standard. Cant get an even concensus on scratching though.

[Papa Doug]

Some pics of the corals and fish. It now looks different than the pic, as I had to go get the 2yr. old copperband. After commenting that he was so well behaved to boot. he is very well fed and has never bothered anything but in the last few days, started to peck at the clams. Stuck his snout right in the mouth. And it was my bubble, frogspawn & hammer,s that I worried about.

He was a favorite of mine. Ate mysis from my fingers. Always watching me when I worked in the back, sticking his snout at me, at times right out of the water, looking for another hand out.

Perhaps I may sell my clams and lps and keep him. I like Scott,s montipora specific tank better anyways.

[Reefland]

I like your Z. scopas better than our P. hepatus.

[Poseidon]

Looks great to me Doug! Bummer about the scratch, I suppose you researched everything you could about filling it prior to putting the water in. I wouldn't sweat it to much, there is so many OTHER things to look at in the tank!

[charlie]

Lookin good Doug, bummer about the copperband tho. Hope you figure something out that is good for both of you.

[golfish]

Looking good Doug, How long have those Crocea's been on the rocks?

[Papa Doug]

Scott, I like your Regal better. The lfs never had any of the tiny tank raised regals in when I was there so I went with the sailfin and scopas. Sailfins have so much personality but a bit worried about its size in a few years. The scopas, although similar, should remain much smaller.

Mike, Never seen the scratch, until it had water in it or at least as bad as it was. They are on the outside, so still repairable if any solution is found. Still looking.

Charlie, Still undecided to part with him. Guess like all our pets. My friend has a 100g sump/refugium, that has lots of natural food, plus he feeds well, so thats an option. He looked after him before, when I switched tanks.

Mark, One has been on a long piece of Fiji, since I traded for it, about a year now. The other was attached to a small piece in a friends tank, about the same amount of time. The other just attached to a small piece but let go when I restructered during the copperband removal. The two attached ones can take a beating and removal from the tank and still hang on.

[Papa Doug]

Been pretty busy lately, trying to find a new place to live. Of course my 180, despite its scratches, is coming along nice. Should have know the house would sell, once I started a new, larger tank. Fish are getting fat and the corals are growing.

Our house sell just came out of the blue, so kind of in a panic. Our move to the city, will also be a downsize in living quarters. Likely no more 180. Still have my 90 cube but even it may be to large. Guess I will have to put my 400w pendant over a 20g.

[Papa Doug]

Ha,ha. I was reviewing my thread this morning. My nice 180. It appears as if my last sentence will end up being true.

Although its a 30 & not 20. But thats for another thread. By the way, I sold that tank to the people purchasing our house.