Windex in aquarium

[xstatic]

If an aquarium has been emptied and cleaned using windex on the inside, what can be done to make it safe before seeting it up for fish? Thanks

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse and..... RINSE!


Using hot water. Thats all i can think of.

[Dangerdoll]

IMO, that stuff is tough to get rid of......

and just when you think you've rinsed enough, rinse more......

[bayoupr]

If you are looking for ways to clean your tank, warm water with a sponge and an algae brush. You should be able to remove everything without using windex or similar products. I agree with the previous post, the windex may be hard to get out completely if you use it.

[Cearbhaill]

If it were me I'd scrub the crap out of it with generous amounts of salt and water, then fill it up with water and way overdose (like 3x) with Seachem's "Prime" or something that removes ammonia and other heavy metals. I'd let that soak for a couple of days then rinse well and hope for the best.
Dunno if that approach would work but it's the best idea I can come up with.

[Matak]

Vinegar works best for aquarium cleaning IMO. It sanitizes well, cleans most aquarium related messes and even gets rid of mineral deposit stains. It is probably the least toxic of all the choices and rinses well. Pickling vinegar is better.

[jt325i]

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals sells a special cleaning agent made to clean aquariums. Comes in a spray bottle like Windex. I would just get some of that so you don't have to worry about residue killing your fish.

http://www.aquariumpharmaceuticals.com/images/productimages/123.png

info:

Safe & Easy® Aquarium Cleaner


Use to clean glass or acrylic aquariums, hoods, filters, frames and stands. Cuts through the white crusty mineral deposits all over the aquarium. Convenient bottle with spray trigger. Just spray on and wipe off. Non-toxic to fresh and saltwater fish.

[snakeskinner]

wouldn't using ammonia be the best choice since it's a natural chemical found in a tank? never cleaned with ammonia before so i don't know how well it does but just a thought, Kyle

[DEmigh]

I think the problem with cleaners such as Windex is not the ammonia, but the other stuff (surfactants, anti-streaking additives, etc.)

There was a thread about a month ago dealing with cleaning used aquariums in which several people, myself included, shared succesful experience using Oxyclean.

[Grassguy]

Soooooo, you'd put ammonia in yer tank? I wouldn't, unless I was doing a fishless cycle. remember, ammonia in tank = dead or stressed fish depending on level.

[DEmigh]

Originally posted by Grassguy
[...] ammonia in tank = dead or stressed fish depending on level.

Absolutely :)

I was responding to snakeskinner's observation that ammonia is a metabolic byproduct of live fish. Compared to cleaning a tank with Pine-Sol :sick: or something like that, the residual toxicity of pure ammonia would be much easier to deal with.

Overall, I have to agree with Matak and/or Cearbhail: vinegar and/or salt. A cleaner can't be too toxic if I can eat it :D

[snakeskinner]

that's what I meant, pure ammonia. I'm assuming that if you're cleaning the inside of the tank that it's empty therefore you'd need to cycle it once it's filled correct? I assumed you wanted some ammonia in a new tank to start off with to get the bacteria growing. I'm no expert by any means, just throwing out random thoughts. Kyle

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by Cearbhaill
If it were me I'd scrub the crap out of it with generous amounts of salt and water, ..... Is it a good idea to use salt? Wouldn't that scratch the tank? Dissolved salt might be better (?) ..... Hope no one tries this with "aquarium salt".. Too "chunky" for the glass.. :eek:

[FastFish]

Why salt? I think a long, thorough rinse is more than adequate, as ammonia is very soluble (note Windex is simply a dilute solution with blue dye). There are some additives in Windex (including the trademark blue dye), but they are likewise soluble and easily rinsed.

[ticklemepunk473]

I agree that next time you should use a diluted solution of vinegar and water. We use it to clean glass plates of water in the resturaunt industry. NON-Toxic!