zerotona

I have white stains on the outside of my tank where I have spilt some water during water changes. It really annoys me because I can see it in certain light and it makes the tank appear hazy.

What is the best way to clean it off? I've tried using water but I think it made it worse. I read somewhere water and baking soda helps, but that didn't work for me either. I even used a bit of Windex (glass cleaner) on the bottom corner in a little square to see if that made any difference and it really didn't.

How do you guys keep your glass clean?

sgould

I can ususally wipe mine clean with nothing but a dry cloth. I've never had to get meaner than water on the cloth. Tetra makes a product called "StayClean Aquarium Wipes" that is supposed to work for hard water deposits, but I have not tried it myself, so I do not know how effective they are.

bhcaaron

I was given used tanks which have water stains in and out. My lfs lady said to fill them up with water/vinegar mix. Obviously you can't do that, but, try wiping it with just white, distilled vinegar. (Even though it has a strong smell, it actually is a deodorant)

zerotona

I might give the vinegar a go because I haven't seen those Tetra wipes. The marks are only on the outside so I could spray / wipe vinegar and water over. The same thing happens to the glass lid on my tank too. It has this crusty white look and it annoys me far more than it should, lol. Thanks for the suggestions.

neverendingninja

Vinegar is a miracle liquid. Its an antibacterial, deodorizer, glass cleaner, itch reliever, chrome polisher, bone softener(soak chicken bone for 3 days...its like rubber), ant repellent, herbicide. And after all that, you can still make PICKLES! Well, not with the same vinegar you used already, obviously....

bhcaaron

I would not spray it. If you have glass tank, pour a little of the vinegar over a plastic scrubby, like for the dishes, and scrub, scrub, scrub. If it is acrylic, try over a soft plastic sponge, once again, like those for the dishes. I wouldn't go back with water. If its glass it makes it shine more. If, however, it is acrylic, I don't know how the vinegar would affect it.

zerotona

It's glass, so I reckon it'll be fine. LOL neverendingninja, if only it would cook my dinner too

armadillo

How do you then rinse the vinegar out? I mean, is it enough to do the scrubbing, then wipe excess off, then leave it to aerate for a couple of days?

bhcaaron

The vinegar evaporates in just a few minutes, just like water. It wont leave the smell either. If you notice the smell it may be because you dropped a little in some near by fabric or something. Just don't get over zealous either lol

armadillo

Cool. Thanks a bunch, Aaron!

bhcaaron

Your welcome. Did it help?

armadillo

I still need to do it. I've got an empty tank from my betta sadly passing away last week, and I want to make sure it's totally disinfected before putting a new betta in there.

bhcaaron

Good Idea. Let us know how it goes.