cleaning the outside of the tank, windex?

Blakeup295 · 04/14/2010, 12:26 PM

hey ive allways just used a wet cloth but the outside of my new tank thats not really cleaning it well couldent u use windex or a cleaning materal as long u u make sure to keep on the out side of your tank???

what do u use to clean the outside of your tank???

Mathfreak71 · 04/14/2010, 12:28 PM

Don't use Windex!!!

White vinegar is the best for cleaning the outside of the tank. For that matter it is the best for cleaning your windows as well.

Blakeup295 · 04/14/2010, 12:30 PM

white vinegar? what about normal vinegar?

Salty92 · 04/14/2010, 12:31 PM

Just use ro/di water and a water squeegee... Works wonders and is easy to clean!!!!

Sugar Magnolia · 04/14/2010, 12:31 PM

I've been using windex for years. Do NOT spray it onto the tank though. Spray into a paper towel well away from the tank, then wipe down the outside of the tank.

justsomeguy · 04/14/2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

I've been using windex for years. Do NOT spray it onto the tank though. Spray into a paper towel well away from the tank, then wipe down the outside of the tank.

Ditto

Blakeup295 · 04/14/2010, 12:39 PM

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??

E-A-G-L-E-S · 04/14/2010, 12:52 PM

RO is suprisingly good at cleaning salt creep and finger prints and leaves no streaks,

larrynews · 04/14/2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty92

Just use ro/di water and a water squeegee... Works wonders and is easy to clean!!!!

plus one i have done this for years

khaosinc · 04/14/2010, 01:04 PM

don't use windex or the like on acrylic tanks at all

sslak · 04/14/2010, 01:12 PM

RO/DI water and a squeegee!

socalchris · 04/14/2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

I've been using windex for years. Do NOT spray it onto the tank though. Spray into a paper towel well away from the tank, then wipe down the outside of the tank.

i also do this with glass tanks...usually spray on to the towel in another room cuz i'm paranoid lol

MY69RS · 04/14/2010, 01:43 PM

why not windex on an acrylic tank
thats what i have and i always use just a wet paper towel
im just curious

drnihili · 04/14/2010, 01:45 PM

I've been using Windex on an acrylic tank for 2+ years with no noticeable ill effect.

RVANANO · 04/14/2010, 02:08 PM

Some people are so ridiculous in their claims. Windex is fine as long as you aren't using a supersoaker from across the room. As long as you spray lightly or directly onto a cloth you are fine. Unless the Ammonia stays on the glass for a few hundred years without being cleaned off (and evaporating). Then technically it could penetrate through the glass since glass molecules are actually moving. Just look at an old window from the 1800's. It sags.

SPS_77493 · 04/14/2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalchris

i also do this with glass tanks...usually spray on to the towel in another room cuz i'm paranoid lol

+1, paranoid. Spray in another room. Just RO/DI will not clean the glass as well...Windex all the way.

Sugar Magnolia · 04/14/2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVANANO

Windex is fine as long as you aren't using a supersoaker from across the room.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 04/14/2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPS_77493

+1, paranoid. Spray in another room. Just RO/DI will not clean the glass as well...Windex all the way.

What are you trying to clean that RO will not remove perfectly?

snorvich · 04/14/2010, 03:18 PM

Novus

mfinn · 04/14/2010, 04:37 PM

I use whatever glass cleaner that happens to be in the house.
Just spray it on a paper towel and wipe.
Been doing it this way for 20+ years.

jdthomas24 · 04/14/2010, 04:44 PM

lol to most of the replies, just as long as you don't go spray happy but i normally just use RO water, no spots or streaks to worry about.

usefulidiot213 · 04/14/2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaosinc

don't use windex or the like on acrylic tanks at all

Why not..?

Gold Stripe · 04/14/2010, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfinn

I use whatever glass cleaner that happens to be in the house.
Just spray it on a paper towel and wipe.
Been doing it this way for 20+ years.

+1

And I dont get more than 8 hours of sleep a night worrying about it.

steveu · 04/14/2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MY69RS

why not windex on an acrylic tank
thats what i have and i always use just a wet paper towel
im just curious

From the cleaning instructions for my major-brand acrylic tank:

DO NOT use any product which contains AMMONIA, ALCOHOL, or ABRASIVES, such as Windex, Comet, Ajax,
or other commercial cleaners when cleaning an acrylic aquarium. Use of such cleaners will cause the acrylic to
permanently lose it's clarity. A soft cloth and water, or a polish made specifically for acrylic, should be used for
cleaning.

I use Dr F&S Acrylic Aquarium Wipes.

Andrew Henry · 04/14/2010, 07:41 PM

I buy and use the ammonia free windex and have no issues.

Andrew

04/14/2010, 12:26 PM	#1
Blakeup295 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: walnut creek Posts: 437	cleaning the outside of the tank, windex? hey ive allways just used a wet cloth but the outside of my new tank thats not really cleaning it well couldent u use windex or a cleaning materal as long u u make sure to keep on the out side of your tank??? what do u use to clean the outside of your tank??? __________________ ~sit back relax and enjoy the ride~ Current Tank Info: 120 gal reef, with a 55 gallon sump. 400W MH soft coral and fish.

04/14/2010, 12:28 PM	#2
Mathfreak71 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Marion, Illinois Posts: 253	Don't use Windex!!! White vinegar is the best for cleaning the outside of the tank. For that matter it is the best for cleaning your windows as well. __________________ Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something. - Thomas Edison Current Tank Info: 75 gallon 3-sided starfire reef tank with 3 AI sol blues

04/14/2010, 12:30 PM	#3
Blakeup295 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: walnut creek Posts: 437	white vinegar? what about normal vinegar? __________________ ~sit back relax and enjoy the ride~ Current Tank Info: 120 gal reef, with a 55 gallon sump. 400W MH soft coral and fish.

04/14/2010, 12:31 PM	#5
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	I've been using windex for years. Do NOT spray it onto the tank though. Spray into a paper towel well away from the tank, then wipe down the outside of the tank. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

04/14/2010, 12:39 PM	#7
Blakeup295 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: walnut creek Posts: 437	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?? __________________ ~sit back relax and enjoy the ride~ Current Tank Info: 120 gal reef, with a 55 gallon sump. 400W MH soft coral and fish.

04/14/2010, 12:31 PM	#4
Salty92 Registered Member. Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 208	Just use ro/di water and a water squeegee... Works wonders and is easy to clean!!!!

04/14/2010, 12:52 PM	#8
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	RO is suprisingly good at cleaning salt creep and finger prints and leaves no streaks, __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

04/14/2010, 01:04 PM	#10
khaosinc The cyborg reefer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NW Washington state Posts: 2,345	don't use windex or the like on acrylic tanks at all __________________ Disclaimer: I have not yet figured out how to install a breathalizer on my computer. Current Tank Info: It's all torn down... someday I might rebuild.

04/14/2010, 01:12 PM	#11
sslak Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,705	RO/DI water and a squeegee! __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 58 Oceanic/20g Sump/250w XM 20k/2x39w T5 True Actinic 03/2010 Reef Octopus NW Cone Skimmer

04/14/2010, 01:43 PM	#13
MY69RS Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: MIAMI Posts: 15	why not windex on an acrylic tank thats what i have and i always use just a wet paper towel im just curious

04/14/2010, 01:45 PM	#14
drnihili Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 172	I've been using Windex on an acrylic tank for 2+ years with no noticeable ill effect.

04/14/2010, 02:08 PM	#15
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	Some people are so ridiculous in their claims. Windex is fine as long as you aren't using a supersoaker from across the room. As long as you spray lightly or directly onto a cloth you are fine. Unless the Ammonia stays on the glass for a few hundred years without being cleaned off (and evaporating). Then technically it could penetrate through the glass since glass molecules are actually moving. Just look at an old window from the 1800's. It sags.

04/14/2010, 03:18 PM	#19
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Novus __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

04/14/2010, 04:37 PM	#20
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	I use whatever glass cleaner that happens to be in the house. Just spray it on a paper towel and wipe. Been doing it this way for 20+ years. __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

04/14/2010, 04:44 PM	#21
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	lol to most of the replies, just as long as you don't go spray happy but i normally just use RO water, no spots or streaks to worry about.

04/14/2010, 07:41 PM	#25
Andrew Henry Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 55	I buy and use the ammonia free windex and have no issues. Andrew