Windex, anyone?

[kaaikop]

Was just curious to find out how you guys clean the outside of
your tanks? I use the good ole windex & scott towels...
with very bad results, LOL the glass is always smeared, I never get it to
look perfect

What's your secret? 8)

 

[electrikat]

Water/vinager mixture with newspapers or papertowels. Just be sure to spray it in a way that it will not get in the tank, or better yet spray it on the towels/paper instead of directly on the glass.

 

[Blazeherd2306]

I use the Safe and Easy aquarium cleaner (made by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) because it doesn't leave any smear marks like windex.

 

[Guest]

I use a little steam cleaner that I use for a lot of stuff around the house too. Only uses water and gets the glass perfect. I got it for $50 at Target.

 

[Rach101]

http://aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=46927&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

 

[kaaikop]

thanks for the link! I had missed that one somehow...
one thing for sure, windex doesn't work for me anyway, not for the tank, and
neither for the house windows, LOL Will give vinegar a try
I HATE cleaning glasses!

 

[Rach101]

Searching through these forums can be perilous!!!!!! That and I noticed it while reading your thread So.. i guess i cant really be called Lady rachel the brave....the crafty... the smart...
Anyways! I just use straight water o.o; it dosnt seem to streak or anything, but then again in my room god knows.. what should works dosnt, and vice versa..

 

[mattrox]

I use 50% H2O 50% Methylated spirits....... I spray it on one of those amway window cloths. Make sure none gets in the tank!

I don't know if you get denatured alcohol in the US, but rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) will work too.

 

[pitt420dude]

I just use water as I am scared to death of getting even a little bit of harmful chemical in the tank. I mess around with my tank so often though that I always get drips running down it. I really should not be so lazy and just keep the thing clean but oh well.

 

[megos1]

i use the water and vinegar trick...works like a charm, esp. on my SW tank

 

[dr_girlfriend]

I just spray glass cleaner on a paper towel away from the tank and rub down the outside. Haven't had anything croak yet
I found 409 glass and surface works good and so does windex with vinegar multi-task. Gets the salt creep and water stains right off.

 

[Fluff]

I use windex wipes.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Same here Fluff. Good ol Windex Wipes. I never have to worry about any chemicals falling into the tank and have never had streaks. It works great on getting calcium build-up off of the back of the tank also (on the hood).

 

[ace1uno_00]

yeah water and vinegar!
and dry with newspaper.
itll be cleeeeeaaan.
and streak free but kinda stinky lol

 

[shawmutt]

Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle--and I live on the edge, I spray it directly on the glass.

 

[mattrox]

Way to go Shaw! I bet it come up sparkling. Just don't have anyone light a match while you do it!

 

[Guest]

i use water with paper towel wipe it and *snap* clean as a whistle

 

[cJw]

I did my first post-cycle pwc last night and found that I'm in the habit of just wiping down the front surface of the tank after I get some water all over it while refilling the tank - so just water and one of my raggedy old towels I use to dry things off. No streaks that I've seen, though I have had some in the past.

Never had a streak issue w/ Windex though, the few times I've used it (applied to the paper towel, same as cleaning my monitor).

 

[Lepomis]

Most paper towels are going to leave a streak. I don't remember exactly why but I think it was due to binders and additional additives/agents used to in and to form the paper towels. I find using the micro fiber cloths work the best. No solvent needed. Now if the kids have been looking at the fish and I have to get the peanut butter and jelly off the glass then I use windex/409 what ever and use a towel then hit it with the microfiber cloth to remove any streaks.

 

[Meredith]

I too use rubbing alcohol. But I dump a bunch on a paper towel and wipe down the glass. I use rubbing alcohol for all my glass cleaning. absolutely no streaking.