Cleaning extenal glass in aquarium?

[screaminleeman]

I have been in fear of "cleaning" the external glass surfaces of my aquariums since a friend (Not into fishkeeping) freaked out when they saw me use "windex" to clean the external glass surfaces of my aquariums. Being a relative newbie myself, I responded that I did not think that the ammonia based cleaner in windex could penetrate the aquarium glass and get into the water.

I did however discontinue the cleaning of the external glass surfaces of my aquariums ever since. I am diligent keeping the water parameter in my tanks good, and the water clarity in my tanks are also kept crispy.

The outside surfaces are now SO dirty that it is getting difficult to even see into my some of my tanks! I am generally utterly imbarrised to display pictures of my fish and always get something along the line of invest in glass cleaner dude.

Are ammonia based glass cleaners relatively safe to use on the external glass surfaces of aquariums? If so, should the external edges where the glass panes are "sealed" be avoided?

What is a general safe and relatively easy way to keep the external glass surfaces of aquariums clean?

 

[knifegill]

Just spray the towel in a different room and walk up to the tank with it already wet.

I just use vinegar.

 

[grunzilla]

I use windex wipes. They work great. No chance of anything liquid penetrating the glass, if that were the case having a glass fish tank would be pointless.

 

[knifegill]

The paranoia starts when you realize that silicone absorbs toxins and they could then eventually reach the water as they diffuse through the seal. I just don't wipe the silicone at all where the sides meet the face, and normally just clean the face of the tank which has no seals anyway. And if you use vinegar and then rag it dry ( I use paper towels ) the danger of poisoning your fish in any way is pretty much gone. Vinegar in trace, very trace, amounts won't kill anything but a few microbes.

 

[888fish]

Magic eraser, I use it for my glass shower doors and my glass tank. Vinegar also work well.

 

[screaminleeman]

Vinegar will be my next glass cleaning attempt then. My pictures will still suck insofar as quality, but at least the "blur" will be from my inability to "photograph" and not "filthy glass". Thanks!