Let's talk about EXTERNAL glass cleaning?

[DipSpit]

It dawned on me today, as I was doing some preventative maintenance in my sump, that your glass can be spotless on the inside of the aquarium but if the outside is dirty, its all for naught.

Unfortunately he outside of your aquarium is seemingly an extremely overlooked topic - but as i looked from the bottom up I saw large numbers of streaks, smudges and smears not visible from head on but nonetheless left behind by the glass cleaner and cleaning medium - in this case, the usual "Best Glass Cleaner" (because ammonia free) and a paper towel. I have no doubt in some degree - though not entirely perceptible - this takes away from the aesthetic. A before and after would likely reveal.

I spent a lot of money, time, sweat (and explaining and compromising) to make my system so why would I not invest the same amount of effort into how I clean the external glass?

What combination does everyone use with good success? What sort of cleaning fluid? What sort of cleaning medium?

Open to suggestions because what I am doing isn't quite as good as it can be.

 

[Kentech5]

I clean with a combination of vinegar and RODI usually. Doesn't seem to leave streaks.

 

[Sabellafella]

I had to of tryed everything. But this right here ^^^ best 2 dollars spent in my life

It dawned on me today, as I was doing some preventative maintenance in my sump, that your glass can be spotless on the inside of the aquarium but if the outside is dirty, its all for naught.

Unfortunately he outside of your aquarium is seemingly an extremely overlooked topic - but as i looked from the bottom up I saw large numbers of streaks, smudges and smears not visible from head on but nonetheless left behind by the glass cleaner and cleaning medium - in this case, the usual "Best Glass Cleaner" (because ammonia free) and a paper towel. I have no doubt in some degree - though not entirely perceptible - this takes away from the aesthetic. A before and after would likely reveal.

I spent a lot of money, time, sweat (and explaining and compromising) to make my system so why would I not invest the same amount of effort into how I clean the external glass?

What combination does everyone use with good success? What sort of cleaning fluid? What sort of cleaning medium?

Open to suggestions because what I am doing isn't quite as good as it can be.

 

[DipSpit]

I had to of tryed everything. But this right here ^^^ best 2 dollars spent in my life

what...is that? Intrigued.

 

[Sm51498]

Water in a squirt bottle and a squeegee.

 

[DipSpit]

Water in a squirt bottle and a squeegee.

Really? I have city water - I feel like that would leave residue/minerals behind

EDIT: RODI water, duh.

 

[Sm51498]

The squeegee removes all the water, I wipe drips with paper towels. You could use RO water if you wanted.

 

[DipSpit]

The squeegee removes all the water, I wipe drips with paper towels. You could use RO water if you wanted.

Will try/10

 

[Sabellafella]

The squeegee removes all the water, I wipe drips with paper towels. You could use RO water if you wanted.

what...is that? Intrigued.

Lolol! Bingo! Really though, i tryed everything. Newspaper, vinegar, cleaners, even peroxide, and i just wasnt satisfied. Take a spray bottle of ro water, and litterally 3 swipes each pane with the squeegy with a towel down and im done.

 

[DipSpit]

Will report back with results. That's crazy enough to work.

 

[buzzword]

Spray paper towel with windex. Wipe clean.

 

[Broadfield]

Hmmmm, I don't use anything. Any water that drips/splashes onto the glass, I just instantly wipe off with a soft microfiber. Since it's salt water, it will sometimes leave a haze. Which I just use the dry side of the microfiber and wipe it again. My glass is absolutely spotless with this simple method. I guess if you don't keep on top of it then you would maybe need some for of liquid to re-soften the dried salt water.

 

[saltyhog]

1/2 vinegar, 1/2 RO water in spray bottle with old OR towel. Easy, fast and leaves glass brilliantly clean.

 

[buzzword]

Yeah old OR towels are great, absolutely no lint.

 

[waybad41willys]

After I clean my Red Sea 650 I wax the glass with automotive wax it really leave spotless Finnish make my scraper slide smoothly it even help keep some of the new salt splashes and smudges from happening . Even keep fingerprints off glass

 

[waybad41willys]

Also use only microfiber towel really work great at wiping it down

 

[Scorpius]

Windex/Invisible glass sprayed on paper towel in garage. I wipe the glass with that and then polish with a microfiber to remove any haze or streaking. A microfiber towel with good nap is a must. Auto geek.com sells some nice microfiber towels of varying quality.

 

[stevepaynr84]

I've always used vinegar and water then recently tried atm mirage... It's very good to be fair but takes a heck of a lot of 'polishing' to get good results so I've tended to stick to my vinegar for the majority of the time and then use the atm if someone is coming over and want it to look extra clean

 

[Flashy Fins]

Spray paper towel with windex. Wipe clean.

I do the same. I think as long as care is taken to spray in an area that isn't near the tank, it's not a big concern.

 

[Arron209]

I also just spray a microfiber towel with windex in the garage and wipe the glass with it.