How to properly clean an empty tank before filling?

[jimrawr]

My GF went ahead and decided to clean my new tank with windex and some other chemicals :( How can I properly clean it now and get it ready for when I fill it up?

I was thinking put some white vinegar into a spray bottle and try to get every inch of the inside, then just wipe it off with a paper towel.. will this be sufficient?

[drummereef]

A vinegar solution will definitely be the safest method. I would fill it with fresh water and add a de-chlorinator to make sure any traces of the chemicals from the windex are gone. Just make sure you rinse thoroughly.

[Shagsbeard]

Windex doesn't leave any "chemicals" behind. That's why it smells so strong... everything in it evaporates quite rapidly. It's bad to use near a functioning tank because these vapors can get disolved into the water just like oxygen does. Fish "breathe" it just like we do, and it's nasty to breathe.

Wiping it down with a weak vinegar solution isn't a bad idea. And it's a good idea to let your girlfriend know that she shouldn't use that stuff to clean the tank once it's set up. Damp newspaper works great. A touch of rubbing alcohol can help too, but go really easy on it.

[jimrawr]

She also used some other stuff I think the remove the stickers from inside the tank.. some kind of glue remover

[techreef]

windex contains ammonia, but i would agree w/ shagsbeard and say that most if not all of the harmful/noxious chemicals in windex would evaporate fairly quickly. the gunk remover probably just had citric acid in it. depending on how big this tank is, i would fill it up w/ water at least once to try and dilute any remaining residues. the de-chlorinator idea is good too. depending on what exactly your GF used on the tank, your approach will need to change. but from what you described here, you're not bad off.

[jimrawr]

Ok I found out exactly what she used... it was these two products

http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000EIFS1Y.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
http://www.proppersource.com/images/expendables/Goo-Gone.jpg

[Randall_James]

As Shaggy said...

(also you can use bleach until the cows come home, as long as the surface is dry, there is none left behind)