How to clean waterspots from outside glass?

mykidsmylife

mykidsmylife

Princess of Peons
Aug 26, 2005
925
0
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Indiana, U.S.A.
I set up an used 40 gallon tank several weeks ago that I got in a trade with a friend. 1 used table for 1 used tank. YEAH...FREE TANK.....awww nope! LOL. Several hundred dollars later (New eclipse hood, new stand, gravel...etc) it has cycled and I'm slowly adding fish. I love it, but there are water spots on the outside of the front of the glass. It drives me crazy!!! I tried wiping some Lime-Away and then rinsing (keep in mind..this is OUTSIDE GLASS...inside was cleaned with water only and some bleach..well rinsed)...they are still there. I have tried every glass cleaner in the house, and even using a razor blade...but they are just like spotted. Does anyone have any suggestions?? The water that was in it before was very hard water and it just seems like it's dripped out during water changes or who knows what and was never wiped up. It is just white-ish cloudy water spots.
Any one have some suggestions??
mykidsmylife
 
Try a scouring pad first or even some metal wool (it shouldn't scratch it since it's glass).

If it still doesn't work try CLR (calcium lime rust) or a similar product. It works wonders on bath tubs and shower doors.

edit: spelling
 
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Are you sure it is on the outside and not calcium build up on the inside? I would have to agree that if it is on the outside then hit it with a scrubbing pad, plastic if you have steel wool should not harm the glass but test in a hiden area first to make sure.
 
Yes, it's most definately on the outside. I get it wet, temporarily dissapears. I will try the scrubbing pad. Thank you for the suggestions. I have scrubbed with nearly everything and it doesn't seem to work.
 
Also you may want to try vinigar, may not work if you have all ready thrown everything else at it, but it can't hurt :huh:
 
lemon koolaid get the unsweeten kind and make a paste out of it.
 
Vinegar or concentrated lemon juice are two household items that will both do the trick. CLR should work as well, but I've never tried it.

Try the following: stack 3 or 4 paper towels and soak with the vinegar or lemon juice. Place a dry towel at the base of the tank to catch drips. Gently place the soaked stack against the glass, the towels should stick more or less of their own volition, but you may need to hold them in place. Keep them there for about 5-10 minutes, you may want to fill a new spray bottle (like from the $ store) with some of your solvent to keep the towels saturated. After 5-10 minutes, wipe away, the hard water should be dissolved. Try 5 minutes first, it should be plenty, if not, try longer.

I prefer the chemical approach because using razor blades or steel wool can scratch the glass, and even fine scratches will look bad if the light hits them just right.
 
I have always found that a razor blade works great. Sometimes you need to use a little extra pressure but since it is glass i have never had a scratch.
 
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