clean the front glass

trueblackpercula · #1 01/28/2006, 09:14 AM

what is the best thing to clean the front glass of your tank with?
windex,water,water and vinager, etc.
Thanks
Michael
P.S. There reason I ask is someone told me that glass is porous and will Absorb the windex and kill your live stock becuase of the high consitration of amonia.

AEALOVESHERGIRLS · #2 01/28/2006, 09:28 AM

I have never used anything other than warm water and a dry paper towel. Works great! I would never use anything that the first ingrediant is ammonia like windex and other cleaning agents. Stick with water, it will work great! And for a streak free shine, after wiping the glass with water, use a shower/glass squeegy.

Amanda

billsreef · #3 01/28/2006, 10:05 AM

If the windex could get in through the glass, the water would also be able to get out

Just be carefull not to get any overspray in the tank and it'll be fine to use windex.

alphaferret · #4 01/28/2006, 02:25 PM

I use a piece of news paper crumpled up w/ water

an old trick my dad taught me for car windows

just spray w/ water and buff to shine

CASHCRZZY · #5 01/29/2006, 02:09 AM

My rule for cleaning glass is "spray towel in another room" , I use Windex every day with 3 kids never a problem

easttn · #6 01/29/2006, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by trueblackpercula
P.S. There reason I ask is someone told me that glass is porous and will Absorb the windex and kill your live stock becuase of the high consitration of amonia.

Glass is not porous. Spray the towel/paper then wipe. Glass is actually in a molten state, windows in old (100 or so) homes have glass that is thicker bottom to top.

jdieck · #7 01/29/2006, 03:28 AM

If you do not have salt or calcium marks just RO/DI water spray (To avoid white spots) and a towel. I prefer a clth towel as many paper towels could be abrasive.
If you need to remove Carbonate deposits or salt creep, vinager works wonders.

mmn_usn · #8 01/29/2006, 06:20 AM

Try the windex wipes. No spray and easily maintained under the tank for ready use

david8956 · #9 01/29/2006, 12:02 PM

I use a 50 / 50 mix of water & vinegar out of a spray bottle. Wipe with a damp papertowel, then buff with a dry one. Works great & won't hurt anything even if you were to spray it directly into the tank.

goby1 · #10 01/29/2006, 05:36 PM

The thick windows effect is an urban legend. If the front panel is really encrusted, wash once and then follow up with ro or distilled water. This is really important if your city water is high in carbonates.

G1

Ti · #11 01/29/2006, 05:44 PM

I just use water

Claydog · #12 01/29/2006, 08:46 PM

i use stoner invisible glass its sold at autoparts stores works great

KiwiBruce · #13 01/29/2006, 08:54 PM

If the glass was porous enough for the windex to soak in and thru, the the water in your tank would alsos come through - which it doesn't right? I think using a window cleaner is fine, SO LONG AS NO OVERSPRAY GOES IN THE TANK.

wiping with newspaper is a great trick for cleaning glass- it really does work!

BeanAnimal · #14 01/29/2006, 09:20 PM

in case anybody is bored and wants to read about glass...

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physic...***/glass.html

bonnethead · #15 01/29/2006, 09:23 PM

Water in a spray bottle. Wipe with paper towel. Re-wipe with kitchen towel to remove any streaks. The ammonia doesn't seep through glass, but if you can smell it in the air it will get into the water...

CaveManNOhio · #16 01/29/2006, 09:37 PM

I use a news paper about 3 pages thick, spray it down with Windex(in another room). Get it real wet and fold in half. Unfold it as needed

hurleycr · #17 01/30/2006, 12:11 AM

Uhm....isn't this getting a little over complicated??

I mean I use a 13:2 solution of vinegar, water, windex, also, i pretreat with lava handsoap, and a newspaper.

after its clean, I use a chamois cloth that has been washed no less than 15 times, of course im using RO/DI to wash with, to make sure there isn't any dirt particles to buff it to a shine. Of course that is after two coates of turtle wax.

.........just for grins. I really would hate for someone to try that. You never know in this hobby what someone will try for their tank.

cheers,

CaveManNOhio · #18 01/30/2006, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hurleycr
Uhm....isn't this getting a little over complicated??

I mean I use a 13:2 solution of vinegar, water, windex, also, i pretreat with lava handsoap, and a newspaper.

after its clean, I use a chamois cloth that has been washed no less than 15 times, of course im using RO/DI to wash with, to make sure there isn't any dirt particles to buff it to a shine. Of course that is after two coates of turtle wax.

.........just for grins. I really would hate for someone to try that. You never know in this hobby what someone will try for their tank.

cheers,

KiwiBruce · #19 01/30/2006, 01:34 AM

hahahaha...i couldn't agree more......windex (or the Singapore equiv glas cleaner (i live in Singapore) works well, wiped off with paper towels

3rotorFD · #20 01/30/2006, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by alphaferret
I use a piece of news paper crumpled up w/ water

an old trick my dad taught me for car windows

just spray w/ water and buff to shine

I agree

billsreef · #21 01/30/2006, 11:15 AM

The most complicated I ever get is to spray the tank with FW first and wipe with paper towel to remove any salt, than I hit it with the windex.

T-6 Driver · #22 01/30/2006, 09:51 PM

I'll second claydog- stoner invisible glass is the best cleaner I've seen--using newspapers instead of paper towels can also help avoid streaks.

As for porous glass- do a google search on "chemical compostion +glass" and "physical properties +glass". My theory is that this toxic windex rumor started when someone was neglecting their tank and decided to blame the resulting problems on their glass cleaner.

Fredfish · #23 01/31/2006, 08:41 PM

Must be a slow day in the advanced section.

Fred.

P.S. Clean glass is for wimps.

Fignewton · #24 01/31/2006, 09:01 PM

I use the Aquarium Pharmaceutical's Safe & Easy. It's a little pricey, but a little goes along way. And it kinda polishes the glass as well, which I find keeps it cleaner longer.

John Karavias · #25 02/01/2006, 05:57 PM

I think some body said it but if it can go in... can't it come out...

Spray anything you have. Just don't put it in the tank. We all get a little crazy and forget the basics. I heard a funny true story..

We, NASA spent a few million dollars to invent a pen that can write in space. Russia solved the problem spending a few pennies........ They use a pencil