cleaning the outside of the tank, windex? - Page 2

Andrew Henry · 04/14/2010, 07:49 PM

Oops, Double Post!

OckMed · 04/15/2010, 06:15 AM

I often dose bleach to keep my water super clean and clear.

mike_dani · 04/15/2010, 06:22 AM

I wax my tank with good old turtle wax paste. You would be amazed how well everything just falls off of the glass. I would only use this on a glass tank.

KafudaFish · 04/15/2010, 07:58 AM

I usually use my T shirt that I am wearing. Salt creep and finger prints come clean in a few circles. I once had a person tell me not to use windex to clean the outside of the tank because the ammonia would be absorbed THROUGH the glass. I asked her what she meant and she said that the pores in the glass would allow it to pass through killing everything in it. I then asked her if glass had one way pores or if they were two way like a road. She said two way of course. I then asked her how the water stayed in her tank. All she could say was oh.

fishchef · 04/15/2010, 08:54 AM

I mostly use a dry soft cloth with nothing on my glass tank. Residue from the tank water when dry tends to smere. A little glass cleaner if that doesn't work.

Sugar Magnolia · 04/15/2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KafudaFish

I once had a person tell me not to use windex to clean the outside of the tank because the ammonia would be absorbed THROUGH the glass. I asked her what she meant and she said that the pores in the glass would allow it to pass through killing everything in it. I then asked her if glass had one way pores or if they were two way like a road. She said two way of course. I then asked her how the water stayed in her tank. All she could say was oh.

incloud · 11/07/2018, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blakeup295

yeah i just used windex very carfully and it helped but i just realized its on the inside of the tank hmmmm i can see my fish and everything but theres like marks on the tank, any ideas of how to get thoose out??

I'm having this same problem. Like drip marks that won't come off unless you buff at them. If I get a drip on the glass it's hard to get off. Don't want to scratch the glass inside or out.

reefteaser · 11/07/2018, 08:23 AM

Aside from the windex debate, I avoid using paper towels because over time they can make micro scratches that build up on glass. Same goes for my eyeglasses. Clean cloth or microfiber is much safer.
If you look at a magnified paper towel it is quite rough.

shred5 · 11/07/2018, 10:57 AM

I believe Windex has more than just ammonia in it so I would not spray it around the tank.
But why use it on a reef windex leaves streaks more easily if not wiped down afterward.

I just use vinegar it leaves less streaks and works better on hard water.. Plus a little gets in the tank no problem it just feed bacteria. We use vinegar on everything from stoves to mirrors.

crossi92 · 11/07/2018, 10:53 PM

RO/DI mixed with vinegar.

lpsouth1978 · 11/07/2018, 11:09 PM

I have never used windex, vinegar, or RODI. When I get tank water on the outside of the tank, I wipe it up with a clean cotton cloth, and then buff it with a second clean AND dry cotton cloth. Takes a matter of seconds and the tank is spotless. I have found that cleaning up a mess before it dries makes it much easier to clean.

Also, having worked with, and cleaned, THOUSANDS of eyeglasses for nearly 20 years, I hesitate to use any cleaners on glass and, as mentioned above, DO NOT use paper of any kind. Paper towels, Kleenex, newspaper, etc, it will all scratch glass and especially acrylic. Nothing more than a clean cotton cloth, preferably microfiber, which I have hundreds of.

jd371 · 11/08/2018, 09:08 AM

I use to work in the auto glass business and what we used to clean the glass was a product called Sprayaway. It sprays on like a foam and doesn't leave streaks or any kind of residue. I use an old tee shirt and spray a little onto that wipe down the tank and dry with another tee shirt...spotless!

incloud · 11/08/2018, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jd371

I use to work in the auto glass business and what we used to clean the glass was a product called Sprayaway. It sprays on like a foam and doesn't leave streaks or any kind of residue. I use an old tee shirt and spray a little onto that wipe down the tank and dry with another tee shirt...spotless!

Too funny that I was using that this morning but the can won't spray anymore. I got it from a buddy of mine about five years ago.

incloud · 11/08/2018, 09:34 AM

I definitely need a new Mag Float too as mine has rough edges around the felt padding. Any suggestions for a decent size or Brand?

mfinn · 11/08/2018, 09:37 AM

Lately I've been using a microfiber cloth and the cleaner for my flat screen tv.
Works pretty darn good.
As with all cleaners I've used over the years, I spray it on the cloth/rag first.

Fourstars · 11/08/2018, 10:45 AM

I fill a sprayer with 3/4 RO and 1/4 vinegar. Learned this from LFS

Fourstars · 11/08/2018, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OckMed

I often dose bleach to keep my water super clean and clear.

mcgyvr · 11/08/2018, 11:39 AM

I just lick it clean..

OurCoralReef · 11/08/2018, 11:48 AM

I use alcohol
If it gets into the tank it’s not a big deal
I use this sprayer it’s amazing sprays a very fine mist

https://amzn.to/2F8ZA8c

Fourstars · 11/08/2018, 11:51 AM

Is that before or after you do a shot of skimmate.

lagatbezan · 11/08/2018, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I just lick it clean..

LMAO

hkgar · 11/08/2018, 02:59 PM

Kent Marine acrylic/glass cleaner

Poopapotamus · 11/08/2018, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blakeup295

white vinegar? what about normal vinegar?

White vinegar is normal vinegar. I mostly just use RODI water though, usually does a really good job, and there are no worries, but I suppose there are no worries with vinegar as well. Just my opinion, but I would stay away from chemical cleaner... why risk it.

WVfishguy · 11/08/2018, 10:48 PM

Ammonia is very close to water on a molecular level, and it mixes instantly with water. I thought Windex had ammonia in it, but I now realize it does not. Regardless, I know that I am a klutz, and if anything can go wrong, it will, and if I use Windex, it's just a matter of time before I dump a whole bottle in a sump. So I use what my mother used for windows; 1/2 distilled water and 1/2 distilled white vinegar.

incloud · 11/09/2018, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVfishguy

Ammonia is very close to water on a molecular level, and it mixes instantly with water. I thought Windex had ammonia in it, but I now realize it does not. Regardless, I know that I am a klutz, and if anything can go wrong, it will, and if I use Windex, it's just a matter of time before I dump a whole bottle in a sump. So I use what my mother used for windows; 1/2 distilled water and 1/2 distilled white vinegar.

I just ordered Glass Plus, Microfiber Cloths, and a Squeegee from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ammonia-Free and three bottles for one Windex.

04/15/2010, 06:22 AM	#28
mike_dani Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 322	Re: cleaning the outside of the tank, windex? I wax my tank with good old turtle wax paste. You would be amazed how well everything just falls off of the glass. I would only use this on a glass tank.

11/07/2018, 10:57 AM	#34
shred5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Waukesha , WI Posts: 4,998	I believe Windex has more than just ammonia in it so I would not spray it around the tank. But why use it on a reef windex leaves streaks more easily if not wiped down afterward. I just use vinegar it leaves less streaks and works better on hard water.. Plus a little gets in the tank no problem it just feed bacteria. We use vinegar on everything from stoves to mirrors. __________________ David Polzin Last edited by shred5; 11/07/2018 at 11:29 AM.

11/07/2018, 11:09 PM	#36
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	I have never used windex, vinegar, or RODI. When I get tank water on the outside of the tank, I wipe it up with a clean cotton cloth, and then buff it with a second clean AND dry cotton cloth. Takes a matter of seconds and the tank is spotless. I have found that cleaning up a mess before it dries makes it much easier to clean. Also, having worked with, and cleaned, THOUSANDS of eyeglasses for nearly 20 years, I hesitate to use any cleaners on glass and, as mentioned above, DO NOT use paper of any kind. Paper towels, Kleenex, newspaper, etc, it will all scratch glass and especially acrylic. Nothing more than a clean cotton cloth, preferably microfiber, which I have hundreds of. __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

11/08/2018, 09:37 AM	#40
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	Lately I've been using a microfiber cloth and the cleaner for my flat screen tv. Works pretty darn good. As with all cleaners I've used over the years, I spray it on the cloth/rag first. __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

11/08/2018, 11:39 AM	#43
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I just lick it clean.. __________________ Who me?

04/14/2010, 07:49 PM	#26
Andrew Henry Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 55	Oops, Double Post!

04/15/2010, 06:15 AM	#27
OckMed Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 70	I often dose bleach to keep my water super clean and clear.

04/15/2010, 07:58 AM	#29
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	I usually use my T shirt that I am wearing. Salt creep and finger prints come clean in a few circles. I once had a person tell me not to use windex to clean the outside of the tank because the ammonia would be absorbed THROUGH the glass. I asked her what she meant and she said that the pores in the glass would allow it to pass through killing everything in it. I then asked her if glass had one way pores or if they were two way like a road. She said two way of course. I then asked her how the water stayed in her tank. All she could say was oh.

04/15/2010, 08:54 AM	#30
fishchef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,222	I mostly use a dry soft cloth with nothing on my glass tank. Residue from the tank water when dry tends to smere. A little glass cleaner if that doesn't work.

11/07/2018, 08:23 AM	#33
reefteaser Convince'em or confuse'em Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S FL Posts: 341	Aside from the windex debate, I avoid using paper towels because over time they can make micro scratches that build up on glass. Same goes for my eyeglasses. Clean cloth or microfiber is much safer. If you look at a magnified paper towel it is quite rough.

11/07/2018, 10:53 PM	#35
crossi92 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 559	RO/DI mixed with vinegar.

11/08/2018, 09:08 AM	#37
jd371 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Long Island Posts: 615	I use to work in the auto glass business and what we used to clean the glass was a product called Sprayaway. It sprays on like a foam and doesn't leave streaks or any kind of residue. I use an old tee shirt and spray a little onto that wipe down the tank and dry with another tee shirt...spotless!

11/08/2018, 09:34 AM	#39
incloud Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 125	I definitely need a new Mag Float too as mine has rough edges around the felt padding. Any suggestions for a decent size or Brand?

11/08/2018, 10:45 AM	#41
Fourstars Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Third rock Posts: 291	I fill a sprayer with 3/4 RO and 1/4 vinegar. Learned this from LFS

11/08/2018, 11:48 AM	#44
OurCoralReef In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: NY Posts: 363	I use alcohol If it gets into the tank it’s not a big deal I use this sprayer it’s amazing sprays a very fine mist https://amzn.to/2F8ZA8c

11/08/2018, 11:51 AM	#45
Fourstars Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Third rock Posts: 291	Is that before or after you do a shot of skimmate.

11/08/2018, 02:59 PM	#47
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Kent Marine acrylic/glass cleaner __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

11/08/2018, 10:48 PM	#49
WVfishguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 677	Ammonia is very close to water on a molecular level, and it mixes instantly with water. I thought Windex had ammonia in it, but I now realize it does not. Regardless, I know that I am a klutz, and if anything can go wrong, it will, and if I use Windex, it's just a matter of time before I dump a whole bottle in a sump. So I use what my mother used for windows; 1/2 distilled water and 1/2 distilled white vinegar.