clean the front glass

[trueblackpercula]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[easttn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6608004#post6608004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> 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]

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]

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

[david8956]

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]

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]

I just use water

[Claydog]

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

[KiwiBruce]

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]

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

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/Glass/glass.html

[bonnethead]

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]

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]

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]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6620697#post6620697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> 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,

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[KiwiBruce]

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]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6609735#post6609735 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> 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]

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]

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]

Must be a slow day in the advanced section. ;)

Fred.

P.S. Clean glass is for wimps.

[Fignewton]

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]

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

[Frankysreef]

How about a windshield squeegee? Been using one for years... keeps the glass perfect. No ammonia either

[Kent E]

Spray the stinkin' glass, unless you have an open top.


Wonder what percentage of reefkeepers are type A.

[Kent E]

Then again, this is the "Advanced", technical, particular forum.:rolleyes: ;)

[rustybucket145]

A Spray Bottle of Vinegar and My Girlfriend :D

[Chad-Man]

Some of you guys will believe anything won't you?........The windex will get in, yet the water doesn't get out. Common sense works in the aquarium trade too.

[kneival]

I use a "microfibre" cloth, no need for any wet solutions it just wipes everything off.

[hllywd]

I use Windex and never have had a problem.
:cool:

[Hvy_Dty]

I've tried almost everything mentioned and was still never very pleased with how the glass turned out. It seems that I always found a streak or some salt creep I missed. I tried Coralife glass cleaner/polisher and LOVE it! It's safe for the tank and is by far the best cleaner I've used. Spray it on, spread it on the glass with a paper towel, let it haze then buff it off with a buff tuff pad. Sounds like a lot of work, but it does an amazing job. The 'glaze" that stays on the glass helps protect it and makes it easier to clean in the future. (I don't work for Coralife, either :D)

[rsteagall]

"Occupation: Sales and Marketing Rep." yea right you don't work for Coralife! :) j/k

Hvy, that stuff just sounds like car polish to me :P Anyone tried using a car polish?

[JmLee]

corallife acrylic buffer polisher. cleans super good with no streaks. and buffs out superficial scratches, but its only for acrylic tanks i think...

[jiggy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6613924#post6613924 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by easttn
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.
glass is maleable

[onereefnotenuf]

i use alcohol on mine... if i drink enough i don't care what the glass looks like. it works every time!

[Chad-Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6755712#post6755712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by onereefnotenuf
i use alcohol on mine... if i drink enough i don't care what the glass looks like. it works every time!

Now that's funny!!!

[hllywd]

glass is maleable

Yes but when it becomes malleable your tank water has long since erupted into steam.....:rolleyes:

:cool:

[m3ntal]

I second an aerosol can of INVISGLASS...it makes your glass super streak free...

[Lpabsolute]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6609735#post6609735 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> 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


We could be brothers.....lol Dad taught me the same thing...

[albefisshin]

I've tried fine steel wool on deposits(fresh+salt) also on my windsheld(for bugs) and works wounders dry or wet. Got this tip from car show guy's. Other wise damp towl "water" and buff till your happy!

[Chihuahua6]

I second the micro-fiber cloth!!! Wet it with water and sqeeze out the excess. I use this and follow with a dry one. No cleaners are needed at all. Use them on windows too. The glass will be sparkling. You can find the cloths at Walmart in the automotive section or Target with the cleaning supplies. Lots of places sell them.

[johnvu713]

Please conserve water or other liquid..no need for that. I'd just let my dog lick the entire 6' long tank:D

[pooper]

i use Rain-X on the front glass of my tank since i got it. i wipe it down at least once a month with it. the salt comes right off with a micro fiber no water or Windex used at all . just put some rain-x on the rag and apply to tank wait for it to haze then buff off . Wal-mart sells the micro fiber 8 pack for like 5 bucks and they are washable .

[castorpollux]

i use brillianize primarily, i generally have acrylic tanks and its nice for coating the acrylic, im not sure if it has a place with glass so much though

[ACBlinky]

I feel so low-tech... I just use a little water and a paper towel. If there's a little streaking I just apply elbow grease as required :)

[Mishap]

I use the AQP Safe n Easy spray. The only downside is it streaks if theres water.

[Agu]

I wipe off stains or streaks with a dry towel. The cleaner magnet polishes the outside glass good enough for me. Guess I'm not anal-retentive enough to run with this crowd :lol:

[phil5613]

rustybucket145 "A Spray Bottle of Vinegar and My Girlfriend" Rusty buddy ...... your using your girlfriend wrong rub her not the Glass too much time working on the tank has got ya all confused LOL.
I have used just about everything but like the purple colored Sparkle window cleaner or ZEP glass cleaner the best

[hllywd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6905815#post6905815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Agu
I wipe off stains or streaks with a dry towel. The cleaner magnet polishes the outside glass good enough for me. Guess I'm not anal-retentive enough to run with this crowd :lol:


Amen!!!:cool:

[livehuman]

Vinegar is cheaper than (glass cleaner) and it works around your sump as well ( it is also recommended by many manufactures of pumps and chillers for magnesium build up). Use (glass cleaner) if it is around but next time you are at the grocery pick up a gallon of vinegar please( its better for your envirornment and mine). LH

[G-money]

I wipe with warm water and a towel then dry with a squeegee.
I think this is one area of your tank where anyone can safely skimp and DIY. :lol:

[21Reefman]

Wet towel, dry towel .

[Scuba_Dave]

Spit & towel polish

I've never used anything near the tank. I may be careful enough not to spray anything in the tank, but I don't want anyone thinking they can use anything near the tank

The wife or someone else sees me spraying windex neat thetank, they may decide to help me out one day.....with the top open

[bigredwalk]

just water 4 me

[dwagner11]

I agree with most people here. I use only water and a dry paper towel, and or cloth towel. The outside of my tank is always sparkling. Using harmful chemicals anywhere near my tank is alway forbidden. I believe its just safer and good common sense that way. But personally I have never used any of the commercially developed products sold at my LFS, it just seems silly when I can get the same effect right from my kitchen sink. Just my thoughts.

[john37]

towel or sometimes the shirt off my back.

[dzekunoi]

Vinegar on glass!

[Southpacimports]

hmm...but vodka works wonders........don't ask :)

[tuckrule]

They make windex wipes that work really great. But If you are still concerned about the ammonia thing. There is a such thing as glass cleaner without ammonia.

[guntercb]

I like vinegar on the rocks with two parts water. Shaken not stired applied with the body motion from bomb shell blond. Now you don't even notice the glass.

I cannot believe this thread is three pages long in the advanced thread. What is advanced about it?

Chris

[Scuba_Dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7067821#post7067821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by john37
towel or sometimes the shirt off my back.

I prefer the shirt off my wife's...back
Not sure what is advanced about this thread
Glass cleaning is fairly straight foward...not very difficult

BUT, potential problems with chemicals is not to be taken lightly