Let's talk about household items that can kill your tank!

[CanuckReefer]

Curious what people think about ammonia-free Windex (not sprayed near the tank) on a paper towel to clean streaks off front glass,,, then wipe with clean/dry rag or paper towel???

I'm not doing it yet but think I've seen posts on here saying it's safe so just curious.

I use vinegar and water half and half now....seems to do better for me in terms of streaks.

 

[Esox]

My 56 gallon weathered several years of my wife's scented candles and wax melts with no visible ill effects. Then she got an essential oil diffuser, which wiped out everything but a clownfish. Painful lesson!

 

[GarrettT]

Dish sponge

 

[CanuckReefer]

My 56 gallon weathered several years of my wife's scented candles and wax melts with no visible ill effects. Then she got an essential oil diffuser, which wiped out everything but a clownfish. Painful lesson!

This! I've heard some horror stories sorry about your loss...ugh. The wife is not allowed those lol except in the basement, miles away from the tank, and I'm still nervous....

 

[BostonReefer300]

Curious what people think about ammonia-free Windex (not sprayed near the tank) on a paper towel to clean streaks off front glass,,, then wipe with clean/dry rag or paper towel???

I'm not doing it yet but think I've seen posts on here saying it's safe so just curious.

I've used windex sprayed on a cloth for years with no ill effects. Even if some spray gets into the tank (assuming you don't have a pico tank), any ammonia will get diluted very quickly and your biological filter will get rid of it quickly. That being said, I wouldn't pour in a bottle of windex to test your filter!

 

[Esox]

This! I've heard some horror stories sorry about your loss...ugh. The wife is not allowed those lol except in the basement, miles away from the tank, and I'm still nervous....

My wife felt awful, but I blamed myself for not being more vigilant. I was sick and bedridden and let the tank go for a couple days without inspecting it.

Next time I set it up, I'm putting cameras on it. lol

 

[ultraArcite]

but do worry about food preparation - especially preparing fried food. Thoughts on this?

We have a topless tank in the kitchen that has pea puffers in it... I worry about it all the time but it's my fiancée's tank not mine... We haven't lost any of the puffers, but I do see a film at the top of the water every once in awhile...

 

[EricR]

We have a topless tank in the kitchen that has pea puffers in it... I worry about it all the time but it's my fiancée's tank not mine... We haven't lost any of the puffers, but I do see a film at the top of the water every once in awhile...

25' of open space from kitchen to tank with open top (screen/mesh lid).
Wife/kids use deep fryer in the kitchen pretty much daily.

I worry about it every time I can smell upstairs the deep fryer in action downstairs.
Don't do anything about it and haven't seen any issues but I do at least "wonder" about it.

EDIT -- well, I open windows whenever possible but do that anyway

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I know I’m joining this thread late….two items concern me:

1) our kitchen is approximately 20 feet from my 365g reef tank. Not overly worried about eating near the tank but do worry about food preparation - especially preparing fried food. Thoughts on this?

2). Have a large wood durning fire place that ventilates nicely up the chimney but know small amounts of smoke are disputing in the room. Thank us approximately 50 feet from fireplace. Any thoughts on this?

thanks in-advance

Fireplace is a foot away from my 250 and is 10 feet away from my new 750. I lit a fire the other week and forgot the flue was closed. Smoked up the house pretty good in a minute. The 250 was fine. It's likely just carbon unless you're burning something toxic in your fireplace...

 

[Aquajamin]

I have often wondered if the Glade scented plugins would cause an issue?
I have never had a problem but I open the doors and windows once a week just in case.

 

[Karliefish]

My woodstove is in the basement and sometimes when starting a fire it fills up with smoke. My basement sump is about 5/6 feet away. No problems yet after 8 years.

Great to hear - thanks for sharing!