what do you folks use to clean the outside of your aquariums? I will assume Windex is not a good idea as it could get into the tank and also the fumes could be absorbed by the water. Ive heard ppl using warm water and vinegar.
cleaning aquarium glass
- Thread starter lowtemp
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I use vinegar, and/or straight ammonia. The ammonia doesn't d much for the deposits left behind by the water I splash so vinegar is needed for them. Ammonia is great for fingerprints, and pretty much anything but the lime deposits. I do use windex on occasion, what I do is quite simple, I get my paper towel and walk away from the tank. spray the windex on the towel and then walk back to the tank and clean the glass. I don't use it on my glass tops, and I don't spray it around or on the tank. I've never had a problem, as long as I'm careful.
Dave
Dave
I use white distilled vinegar unless it gets really bad, then I turn on the ceiling fan above the tank and use windex. DON'T SPRAY it though. I spray it on a paper towel outside the room and wipe it on, then wipe it off. fish don't seem to mind. AFAIK the only fimes that would get absorbed by the water are trace amounts of ammonia which your filter should take care of. not enough to cause any damage. My fish don't mind at all when I use the windex. usually the only time I have to is when my sister(3 years old) presses her face up against the glass and says "ooo! baby furshies!!!!"
Otherwise, vinegar usually works fine
HTH
Otherwise, vinegar usually works fine
HTH
Isoprople alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or ethanol are wonderful at cutting grease and getting rid of finger prints.
I use Cinch spray (all-purpose cleaner like 409). It is very good at resisting fingerprints, and if water gets on the glass, it usually beads up a bit. I do not spray it directly on the glass... I spray it all over a papertowel (in the kitchen, away from the tank!) and then wipe down the tank, then wipe w/ a dry paper towel. I used to use vinegar, but now that my son is mobile and always has some sort of food on his hands, the vinegar doesn't work as well!
~Tara
~Tara
Do you really have to spray the paper towel outside of the room? Now I understand not spraying the glass directly, but is there a real chance of spray in the air winding up in the tank? I usually just step back from the tank and turn around to spray the papertowel.
It depends on the tank setup, and the room. I have an open topped tank, and yes, anything sprayed into the room will settle into this tank. If you use air pumps, they too can suck in aerosols and 'inject' them into the tank.
I usually just use a damp rag, immediately wiping away water spills and such--don't have a problem with finger or nose prints.
I usually just use a damp rag, immediately wiping away water spills and such--don't have a problem with finger or nose prints.
hermx - nah, I could probably spray it in the dining room (where the tank is), but I'd just as soon spray it in the kitchen and then put the spray right back under the sink - with the cabinet locks - no chance of the little one getting his hands on it and "helping". Although as OG said, depending on your set up, it is possible for stuff to get into your tank.
~Tara
~Tara