Cleaning Inside Of Tank

[Marto666]

What is the best way to clean the inside of a tank? I feel very nervous of using those magnetic cleaners in case I scratch the glass by trapping dirt between the magnets.

I did use a scouring sponge (cheap thing from ASDA – 10 for 20p), there is no metal on it so thought that might be safe. However, I noticed a scratch after doing this and I’m not sure if I did it or it was already there. You know, when you start looking at little imperfections more closely and notice other things.

Cheers

 

[raptorrex]

What is the best way to clean the inside of a tank? I feel very nervous of using those magnetic cleaners in case I scratch the glass by trapping dirt between the magnets.

I did use a scouring sponge (cheap thing from ASDA – 10 for 20p), there is no metal on it so thought that might be safe. However, I noticed a scratch after doing this and I'm not sure if I did it or it was already there. You know, when you start looking at little imperfections more closely and notice other things.

Cheers

you should really; avoid cleaning the inside of a tank, apart from using an Algae magnet. your tank has a 'Bio Film' over all its surfaces. this is the final part of the nitrogen cycle. when this happens its said you tank is MATURE. removing any significal part of it, will possibly affect the stability of your tank.

Algae magnets are safe. i have used them for many years, both with sand and grave, I've not yet got a scratch. but the care you, yourself, take has much to do with the possibility of damage.

 

[Marto666]

Thanks for the reply and the useful information. I had no idea about bio film and making it mature.

I only decided to clean it as it was starting to look a bit blurry though the glass.

Wont the Algae magnets remove the bio film though?

On the subject, are there any ways to repair minor scratches on glass?

Cheers

 

[raptorrex]

Thanks for the reply and the useful information. I had no idea about bio film and making it mature.

I only decided to clean it as it was starting to look a bit blurry though the glass.

Wont the Algae magnets remove the bio film though?

On the subject, are there any ways to repair minor scratches on glass?

Cheers

to a certain extent yes. but you only have a small pressure. so damage is less.

i repair scratches with toothpaste and elbow grease. just buff them off with a cloth. it sounds simple, but is hard work.

 

[Marto666]

Thanks raptorrex

 

[CrazyAirborne]

Very hard work. more often then not, at least for me, theres not much u can do for scratches, you learn to live with them!

 

[Marto666]

For me, I kind of not notice them after a while!

 

[raptorrex]

Very hard work. more often then not, at least for me, theres not much u can do for scratches, you learn to live with them!

even works on car windows! get rid if that "halo" effect from your windscreen. actually, that's how i found out about it.

 

[thisguyek]

i've been using the magnets myself without much of a problem. usually once or twice a month though.

 

[raptorrex]

lol, believable it or not, soot does just as good of a job. but i guess that makes sense, as soot was/has been used as a toothpaste/powder for 1000's of years.

 

[This Old Spouse]

I use a scrubbie for the inside of the tank, but generally concentrate on the front of the tank where it's most noticeable. The back still has a nice coat of slime on all my tanks.

 

[Geoff-]

here in Oz we have a product called Chux super wipe, it's a light synthetic cloth that is ideal for wiping down the inside of the tank glass and it removes algae quite effectively.

#29### the biofilm, i want to see my fish! i don't bother wiping the back of the tank so it is free to collect algae and feed my BN catfish. the front glass must be clean for my viewing pleasure

 

[raptorrex]

here in Oz we have a product called Chux super wipe, it's a light synthetic cloth that is ideal for wiping down the inside of the tank glass and it removes algae quite effectively.

#29### the biofilm, i want to see my fish! i don't bother wiping the back of the tank so it is free to collect algae and feed my BN catfish. the front glass must be clean for my viewing pleasure

same as me, but in the last 6+ years, i have never had to clean the inside of my tank, I use no more than an algae magnet, every so often. you can have a clean front, WITH its bio film intact. believable it or not, thats how the vest majority of fishkeepers do it!.
anyway, the Bio film and its effect on the stability of your tank, is a well established fact. any keeper can act as they like. but the passing on of bad, un-thought out, solutions. is something this forum was set up to help stop.

the sad truth is, if you are having problem of this sort, there is something wrong with your tank maintenance regime, lighting period or room environment. fixing that, as opposed to RUSH IN AND FIX solutions, should be the aim.

we should be treating the cause, not its symptom.

 

[Geoff-]

but you're still using an algae magnet now and again.. sooo....... how's that different to a wipe with a chux now and then?

i get a little bit of light green spot algae, if i played with my light settings and reduced feeding/ferts then sure I could probably achieve less algae but a quick wipe with the chux takes it from almost clear to crystal clear. so why would i alter what I enjoy (lights on viewing my fish, and feeding them a good amount so i can watch them eat) if all it takes is a quick wipe every 2 weeks to enjoy a crystal clear front?

it's not like i'm having to scrub my tank to see into it. so there is no "problem", i'm not doing a RUSH IN AND FIX and i'm not spreading un-thought out solutions.

I haven't wiped the back of my tank in months and it doesn't get any worse than the front does in 2 weeks. So if you want to be sad then be sad, but my tank is A-OK

 

[raptorrex]

but you're still using an algae magnet now and again.. sooo....... how's that different to a wipe with a chux now and then?

i get a little bit of light green spot algae, if i played with my light settings and reduced feeding/ferts then sure I could probably achieve less algae but a quick wipe with the chux takes it from almost clear to crystal clear. so why would i alter what I enjoy (lights on viewing my fish, and feeding them a good amount so i can watch them eat) if all it takes is a quick wipe every 2 weeks to enjoy a crystal clear front?

it's not like i'm having to scrub my tank to see into it. so there is no "problem", i'm not doing a RUSH IN AND FIX and i'm not spreading un-thought out solutions.

I haven't wiped the back of my tank in months and it doesn't get any worse than the front does in 2 weeks. So if you want to be sad then be sad, but my tank is A-OK

you scrub only where necessary, and you do not scrub it all off. even if you do, its a tiny area. and, for me, i dont need to do it more than twice a year!. like it or not the Bio film is vital to stability. as with your filter, you only get as much bacteria, as the tank can feed. removing any, significant amount, compromises your tank.

if you are getting higher build up. as i said, your regime needs correcting. find out why you are getting the build up. and fix it. scrubbing it off ignores the real problem.

algae growth is down to light. sure i needs nutrition to feed. but even in a tank full of food, algae cant grow, significantly, if the lighting is right..