Keeping tank glass clean

nczipp · 06/26/2017, 04:54 PM

I've had issues keeping the glass on my tank clean. I'm referring to the outside part. It always gets water stains, salt buildup, and smudges. Does anyone have a solution for this?

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Cliving1 · 06/26/2017, 05:03 PM

I use fresh water and a clean towel. Always seems to work for me.

JVan82 · 06/26/2017, 05:14 PM

Vinegar and water mix, and a glass microfiber towel. Or I'll use regular glass cleaner, just spray it on the towel in a different room or at least away from the tank

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nczipp · 06/26/2017, 05:20 PM

One part vinegar and one part water?
I'll have to invest in a glass microfiber towel. It's mostly the smears that I can't stand once I'm finished wiping it

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JVan82 · 06/26/2017, 05:32 PM

I do 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water, honestly any soft cloth will work, I just have a ton of microfiber towels for cleaning cars.

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thegrun · 06/26/2017, 09:19 PM

1 part white vinegar, 2 parts RO/DI water for me as well.

BigDave · 06/26/2017, 09:55 PM

I have kids that can't keep from touching the glass.

I've gotten to where I can ignore the smudges.

I clean them once a week.

DancingShark · 06/26/2017, 10:07 PM

I can't ignore them. I clean them every day when I wake up. Its part of my morning routine.

As for how to keep it clean. Its your return causing the water to splash?

EzReefs · 06/26/2017, 11:42 PM

I like to use just a dry paper towel. It takes away all smears and smudges for me.

JVan82 · 06/27/2017, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DancingShark

I can't ignore them. I clean them every day when I wake up. Its part of my morning routine.

As for how to keep it clean. Its your return causing the water to splash?

Depends on your set up, only time I get salt on the outside is after I've had my hands in the tank. I have a biocube 32 without the lid.

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MiddletoM · 06/27/2017, 05:46 AM

I only use newspaper. nothing else

patiof · 06/27/2017, 07:52 AM

paper towel and rubbing alcohol. then a clean dry paper towel.

mcgyvr · 06/27/2017, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nczipp

I've had issues keeping the glass on my tank clean. I'm referring to the outside part. It always gets water stains, salt buildup, and smudges. Does anyone have a solution for this?

Stop spilling water and putting your greasy fingers on the glass?

And when/if it still happens...clean it..

What am I missing?

d0ughb0y · 06/27/2017, 08:17 AM

Do you know the secret how LFS keeps their display tanks nice and clean at all times? They hire a minimum wage employee that just constantly cleans the tanks. There is no magic to it, if you want it clean, you must clean it.

MurphyLong · 06/27/2017, 08:37 AM

I have tons of microfiber towels specifically for this. I picked up a few packs at the dollar store, and an "LCD Screen Cleaner Spray" which I spray on the towel, and wipe across the glass- voila, spotless.

Of course I clean up salt creep with a damp cloth first.

twitchy · 06/27/2017, 10:49 AM

I put a clean sock on the outside portion of my magfloat and change it as needed. Works great, I saw it on a thread here a while back

billdogg · 06/27/2017, 11:15 AM

I use "Invisible Glass" and a paper towel. Before I found that stuff, I used windex. Either way, try not to spray it into the tank. Never had an issue with either one

mrhighline · 06/27/2017, 11:24 AM

Vinegar and water for me ... 1:1 mixture and some mircofiber clothes. I found a pack at the local Target on clearance in the automotive section.

nczipp · 06/27/2017, 11:32 AM

Thanks everyone! I'll start with the basics like vinegar and newspaper or a microfiber cloth then work my way up until I find the best thing.
DancingShark, the return causes some slash but that mostly just affects the lid. The lid is the hardest thing to clean in my opinion because of the salt buildup. It's glass so it's easy to see otherwise I wouldn't care much.

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mcgyvr · 06/27/2017, 11:49 AM

vinegar/water (50/50) is the best/safest solution to use when cleaning the glass..
You can spray it right on the glass and not worry about any getting in the water,etc.. (just carbon dosing)

Stolireef · 06/27/2017, 04:18 PM

I use windex. Just be careful with it and you'll be fine. BTW, Windex is a magical solution that cures all ills and solves all problems. If anyone get's this reference, I'll make sure to 'like' you.

MurphyLong · 06/29/2017, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stolireef

I use windex. Just be careful with it and you'll be fine. BTW, Windex is a magical solution that cures all ills and solves all problems. If anyone get's this reference, I'll make sure to 'like' you.

MBFGW... Put a little Windex on it...

Stolireef · 06/29/2017, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MurphyLong

MBFGW... Put a little Windex on it...

Two big thumbs up

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06/26/2017, 04:54 PM	#1
nczipp Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 61	Keeping tank glass clean I've had issues keeping the glass on my tank clean. I'm referring to the outside part. It always gets water stains, salt buildup, and smudges. Does anyone have a solution for this? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06/27/2017, 11:15 AM	#17
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I use "Invisible Glass" and a paper towel. Before I found that stuff, I used windex. Either way, try not to spray it into the tank. Never had an issue with either one __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

06/27/2017, 11:49 AM	#20
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	vinegar/water (50/50) is the best/safest solution to use when cleaning the glass.. You can spray it right on the glass and not worry about any getting in the water,etc.. (just carbon dosing) __________________ Who me?

06/27/2017, 04:18 PM	#21
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	I use windex. Just be careful with it and you'll be fine. BTW, Windex is a magical solution that cures all ills and solves all problems. If anyone get's this reference, I'll make sure to 'like' you. __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0.

06/26/2017, 05:03 PM	#2
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	I use fresh water and a clean towel. Always seems to work for me.

06/26/2017, 05:14 PM	#3
JVan82 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Valdosta GA Posts: 468	Vinegar and water mix, and a glass microfiber towel. Or I'll use regular glass cleaner, just spray it on the towel in a different room or at least away from the tank Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

06/26/2017, 05:20 PM	#4
nczipp Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 61	One part vinegar and one part water? I'll have to invest in a glass microfiber towel. It's mostly the smears that I can't stand once I'm finished wiping it Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06/26/2017, 05:32 PM	#5
JVan82 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Valdosta GA Posts: 468	I do 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water, honestly any soft cloth will work, I just have a ton of microfiber towels for cleaning cars. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

06/26/2017, 09:19 PM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	1 part white vinegar, 2 parts RO/DI water for me as well.

06/26/2017, 09:55 PM	#7
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	I have kids that can't keep from touching the glass. I've gotten to where I can ignore the smudges. I clean them once a week.

06/26/2017, 10:07 PM	#8
DancingShark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 126	I can't ignore them. I clean them every day when I wake up. Its part of my morning routine. As for how to keep it clean. Its your return causing the water to splash?

06/26/2017, 11:42 PM	#9
EzReefs Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 121	I like to use just a dry paper towel. It takes away all smears and smudges for me.

06/27/2017, 05:46 AM	#11
MiddletoM Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 147	I only use newspaper. nothing else

06/27/2017, 07:52 AM	#12
patiof Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: web city Posts: 57	paper towel and rubbing alcohol. then a clean dry paper towel.

06/27/2017, 08:17 AM	#14
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	Do you know the secret how LFS keeps their display tanks nice and clean at all times? They hire a minimum wage employee that just constantly cleans the tanks. There is no magic to it, if you want it clean, you must clean it.

06/27/2017, 08:37 AM	#15
MurphyLong HMFIC Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 331	I have tons of microfiber towels specifically for this. I picked up a few packs at the dollar store, and an "LCD Screen Cleaner Spray" which I spray on the towel, and wipe across the glass- voila, spotless. Of course I clean up salt creep with a damp cloth first.

06/27/2017, 10:49 AM	#16
twitchy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Viera, FL Posts: 172	I put a clean sock on the outside portion of my magfloat and change it as needed. Works great, I saw it on a thread here a while back

06/27/2017, 11:24 AM	#18
mrhighline Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 58	Vinegar and water for me ... 1:1 mixture and some mircofiber clothes. I found a pack at the local Target on clearance in the automotive section.

06/27/2017, 11:32 AM	#19
nczipp Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 61	Thanks everyone! I'll start with the basics like vinegar and newspaper or a microfiber cloth then work my way up until I find the best thing. DancingShark, the return causes some slash but that mostly just affects the lid. The lid is the hardest thing to clean in my opinion because of the salt buildup. It's glass so it's easy to see otherwise I wouldn't care much. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk