Cleaning the outside of my fishtank...?

Question

Is it OK to use windex to clean the outside of the fishtank as long as I'm careful not to get any of the cleaner actually in the water? Also (throwing another quetion in here so I don't have to spend another 5 points, hope thats, er, legal) it seems, from what I've read here, that rocks/gravel is preferable to sand in a tank and I'm thinking about switching since I currently have sand. What's the best way to clean the gravel without actually removing it from the tank? That seems like an incredible hassle...

Answer 1

Windex is fine if sprayed below tank level and on a cloth then applied to the front of the tank. I personally would suggest using fresh water and a paper towel since windex contains high levels of ammonia. Also, never spray air freshners in the rooms with your tanks. This can and does leave a residue on the water.

Ok I am assuming since you have sand, you have salt water? If not, why are you using sand? Different fish prefer and require different bottom structures. Research your fish, if they prefer or require a sandy bottom why switch?

The best way to clean gravel, and you should never remove it completely from the tank is to use a tank syphon. This is how your water changes should also be done. The syphon sucks up the gravel so far into the tube allowing the debris to continue thru the tube and out of your tank thru a hose and into a waste bucket. Saltwater tank, stick with the sand or add dolamite (crushed coral) but do not add dolamite to a fresh water tank.

Answer 2

You don't need windex. I run a store with about 75 tanks. A little water, a paper towel, and some elbow grease will do just fine. Why take the risk of contaminating your tank. An aquarium syphon that can be purchased at any pet store will do a great job of waste and cleaning the gravel. Avoid whit or light colored gravels. Some algae can build up and make the gravel look nasty when it's actually pretty clean. Try a dark natural, black, or a dark blue.

Answer 3

First question:
Yes, it is alright to use something like Windex. Just BE ABSOLUTELY sure not to get any in the tank itself, that chemicals could be highly toxic to your fish. Try just spraying some on a couple of paper towels and making sure to get all the excess of the glass (we don't want streaks now do we?)...

Second question:
Try using a gravel vacuum, you can pick one up at any pet store carrying fish tank supplies. There are a couple of different kinds, two main ones to be exact. One is self pump, basically you put one end in your mouth and CAREFULLY suck and then use an up-down motion with the vacuum end and empty the contents into the a 5-gallon bucket or something along those lines. Another one you could try, is a vacuum that you can hook up to your sink (very efficient). There is an attachment to hook the vacuum to your sink--very easy--and basically there are also two ways for the bottom of the attachment (underneath the sink hookup) to either suck or give water.

I hope this answered your questions! If you have anymore, you can just e-mail me at either [e-mail] or [e-mail]...Good luck!!!

Stephanie

Answer 4

If you are really worried about Windex in your tank....Use vinegar and newspaper. If you want to use Windex, spray it on your towel away from the fish tank and wipe carefully.

Ok, to clean the gravel they make an underground suction that cleans the gravel out (get the yuck out). Many fish do well with gravel, others with sand...and some a combination of both. You didn't say what kind of fish you have...fresh, brackish or salt. Most community fish will do well with either (or a combination of both). Gold fish really need large gravel or something of that sort because they like to chew the rocks.
Brackish and salt are completely different.

Answer 5

Yep you can use windex...just cover up the tank before you spray..as far as the gravel goes..it's a lot harder to keep clean because everything gets lodged in it and fish can't get at it..also a lot of plants prefer sand.

Answer 6

first, if you want to use windex, spray it on the cloth first. then rub the tank glass only. don't spray it anywhere near the tank.

if you need to clean the gravel, get a syphon vacuum. they're really cheap, and they help you when youre' doing your water changes too, becauase that way you only have to sypon to the point of your 20%, and you can do it each week.

gravel and river rocks work really well, because most of the time, theyre big enough for the fish to not suck them up and choke or swallow them. sand, even tho that's the fish's natural habitat, is small enough that the fish can suck the grains up.

i like to use the glass pebbles, because they're easy to clean, and they're no way small enough for the fish to get a hold of. but, if you have small fish, or crabs or frogs, then you might be better off using regular substrate (gravel), because if the animal is standing on one, and then it slips and moves, they could get thier little feet or fins stuck underneath them, and possibly tear something.

good luck!! hope this helps!!!

Answer 7

i wet down the outside of my tank and dry it with a towel after and it works fine -- you don't need windex.

get a gravel vacuum. you do 20% water changes with gravel vacuums weekly and your tank stays clean a long time. 1/3 changes every 5 days with my goldfish because they are a lot messier. i wash off decorations and plants and wipe down inside walls with a paper towel when i do this -- its really like 15 mins work to insure a clean tank for the longrun.

Answer 8

Windex is fine if its a glass tank, and if you wanna clean the gravel in the tank get a gravel siphon system, like a python, or a less expensive model, they work well, and are easy to use ( a pain in the keester to set up and put away, but easy to use).

Answer 9

i might want to be sure the tank is sparkling of airborne dirt and mud and airborne dirt and mud earlier putting putting the filter out on. also, in the journey that your tank has been sitting in direct solar the silicone would are growing weak and may have sprung some leaks so I propose filling it up outdoors and go away it there to envision for leaks first. you could heavily use an algae scraper or razor blade to scrape off any detritus on the glass and a not in any respect been used scrub brush for the corners.

Answer 10

Definitely, as long as none of it gets inside you are good to go.