How to Clean Fish Tank Glass? Step by Step Instructions

Is the glass on your tank filthy? Are you unaware of the procedure you must carry out to have your aquarium’s glass cleaned? Do you know what is causing your aquarium glass to become green or white?

You don’t need to be concerned, though, since we have you all covered. I will outline all of the procedures, equipment, and instruments that you need to maintain on hand and to obtain a clean aquarium glass. I’ve also noted the causes of this as well as suggestions for how to stop it. I take the same actions, and you should too!

Why is it necessary to Clean Aquarium Glass?

You occasionally need to clean your aquarium. It is crucial, especially if you want to provide your pet fish with a beautiful, clean environment to live in. If your aquarium is kept clean, your fish will stay healthy and live a long time.

However, how you clean your aquarium will depend on the materials and debris that have gathered inside and how you wish to remove them. Some people keep their aquariums clean only to keep the habitat and surroundings healthy. However, some people only clean theirs when there is a disease epidemic. Whatever the situation, there are effective cleaning techniques for aquariums depending on the intended use.

In your aquarium, dirt and algae will inevitably build up. Minerals that are present in water also build up over time. The minerals may increase the hardness of the water, which may lead to mineral buildup as a white residue on the aquarium glass.

The aquarium glass must be cleaned of any white residue. An aquarium that is neat and clear is beautiful. Additionally, it is a sign that the habitat in which your pet fish is housed is safe and healthy. Fortunately, there are simple techniques to clean and remove the white residue from your aquarium glass.

Main Cause of Dirty Fish Tank Glass (Hard Water)

Some fish species prefer hard water as their habitat, but it’s not so great for the crystal-clear glass of our fish tanks. If you’ve ever seen a white residue build up on the surface of your glass in a freshwater aquarium, you’re most likely witnessing the effects of hard water evaporation. The residue is probably “limescale,” a build-up of lime (calcium carbonate + extra ions) on the glass. Additionally, a salt residue known as “salt-creep” can build up on the aquarium’s glass and top in saltwater aquariums.

When mineral-rich aquarium water (hard water) evaporates, the heavier substances are left behind by the gaseous water and stick to the glass and to each other, creating an unsightly, streaky white residue. You probably have the same type of buildup around your shower head or faucets if you live in a home with hard water. While these residues won’t harm your fish or your aquarium, they may make your fish more difficult to see, and streaked and spotted aquarium glass isn’t appealing to look at.

How to Clean Fish Tank Glass?

There are numerous ways to clean the Aquarium Glass and walls from the inside. You can follow these to get rid of any stains there. However, if you wanna remain natural and inexpensive then try Vinegar as a natural substitute.

How to Clean Aquarium Glass with Vinegar?

Because lime buildup is so unsightly, there may be a strong desire to use household cleaning supplies to get rid of it. Resist the desire, though, since even the tiniest drop or trace of cleaning chemical residue might be fatal to your fish. The upper borders of the tank are also subject to this restriction.

There are products designed to safely remove lime buildup from aquarium glass. Look for fish-safe cleaning sprays at your neighborhood pet store. Try simple white vinegar on a dry aquarium if you’re seeking a less expensive and more environmentally friendly substitute. In addition to being a natural antiseptic, vinegar’s acidity dissolves tenacious lime deposits.

You must move your fish to a holding tank before using this cleaning technique. After you have securely removed all of your fish, empty the tank of all water and take out any plants or decorations. If kept in place by a barrier to prevent spillage, gravel, and other substrates can be removed or left behind. Place the tank on a cloth and cover the damaged glass with enough vinegar to prevent further damage. After letting it sit for 10 to 20 minutes, clean the area with a soft pad or towel.

If there is a particularly tough area of build-up, consider using an algae scraper or razor blade to gently remove the scale of only the glass panels. Avoid using razors on acrylic tanks made of Plexiglass or other types of acrylic since they are readily scratched by any sharp object. Avoid damaging the silicone adhesive that holds the glass panes together. When finished, properly rinse the tank before refilling.

How to Prevent Lime Buildup in your Aquarium?

The simplest way to avoid having to spend time cleaning your tank is to prevent scale from building in the first place. Because the evaporation process is the main reason for this residue, check the water line in your tank every two or three days. On days with minimal humidity in the winter or when the water in your tank is warmer, the rate of evaporation will rise.

Your tank’s water will get a little bit harder when the water starts to evaporate (a higher density of minerals per liter of water). For this reason, distilled water is the ideal alternative to evaporated hard water if you are merely filling off the tank and not doing a water change. The water you add back should also be pure since the water that departed was. All of the minerals have been removed from distilled water. It is possible to gradually get a lethally high amount of some minerals by replacing evaporated water with more water that is mineral-rich. This risk is removed by replacing evaporation with distilled water.

To fill the aquarium after removing some of the old water while performing a partial water change in your aquarium, use your usual hard water source. This will maintain the minerals at a healthy level and help buffer the pH, preventing the water from gradually becoming acidic (having a lower pH). To ensure that your water quality is suitable for your fish, it’s a good idea to have a water test kit that tests pH, hardness (GH), and alkalinity (kH).

How to Clean Fish Tank Glass Inside?

1. Clean the Stains on the Walls

Any light stain on the inside of your glass may be easily removed with a sponge. Use a clean sponge that won’t introduce any chemicals or detergents to your aquarium. You may do this while your fish are still in the tank, provided that no considerable amount of water is removed.

• Use a sponge with an abrasive side if you need a little additional scrubbing power.
• If you don’t want to stick your arm in the tank, you can get a scrubber with a long handle at your local aquarium store.

2. Use a Scraper

You can easily remove some tougher stains from the inside of your aquarium glass with a scraper. Aquarium supply stores provide a special tool with a scraper on one end and a brush on the other that is designed specifically for this task.

• As you scrape and clean the stains, let the waste sink to the bottom of the tank. Once you’re done, you may vacuum the tank to clean it up.
• You can scrape off with a razor blade if the scraper is not performing enough. Hold it against the glass at a 45-degree angle, and scrape very gently to avoid cutting yourself.
• Don’t do this by emptying the tank. Your aquarium’s beneficial bacteria colonies might be destroyed if more than 25% of the water is removed, which could kill your fish.

3. Use a Magnet for an Aquarium

There is an alternative to sticking your arm in the tank to clean the glass. You may greatly simplify this procedure by purchasing an aquarium magnet from your neighborhood pet or aquarium store. The magnet’s handle is placed on the outside of the glass, while the portion with the scrubbing pad is placed inside. The interior section will slide around the inside of your tank, cleaning the glass as you move the outer part around.

• Aim to keep your magnet at least two inches away from the gravel or sand at the tank’s bottom. You run the danger of scratching your glass if anything abrasive gets lodged under the pad.
• Always rinse the cleaning pad after use, and while not in use, never leave the magnet in the tank. This will lessen the chance of sand going beneath the pad.
• To protect the glass, think about putting a piece of felt underneath the magnet’s external portion.

There are Several Sizes of Aquarium Magnets

Your tank’s size will determine the size of the magnet you select. Any size will work, however cleaning a really large tank with a very small magnet could be laborious.

• The magnets come in a variety of strengths as well. A stronger magnet should be used for glass than acrylic. (If you pick a powerful magnet, be extremely careful not to get your fingers stuck between them.)
• Some of these magnets float, so if they go loose, you won’t have to worry about fishing them out of the tank.

How to Clean the Fish Tank Glass Outside?

The outside of your aquarium glass should be kept clean just as much as the interior since it is much simpler to do so. Simply gently clean the exterior of your tank with warm water and a lint-free cloth or soft piece of paper (coffee filters and newspaper both work nicely).

• It is not advisable to use chemical cleansers since it is possible for tiny particles to go airborne and pollute your tank’s inside.
• If you must use a chemical cleaner, mist it onto your cloth and then place it far from the aquarium before wiping the glass.

Alternate Cleaning the Fish Tank Glass

Purchase a self-cleaning tank

If you have a small freshwater tank and want to spend less time maintaining it, consider acquiring a new self-cleaning tank. Self-cleaning tanks are available in two versions, and both will reduce the amount of time you need to spend cleaning, making them a worthwhile investment.

• Some self-cleaning tanks remove tainted water with a gentle pump. Simply activate the pump and set a cup beneath it to capture any polluted water. Then refill your tank with fresh water. Because the pump isn’t loud enough to annoy the fish, you may leave them in the tank.
• To maintain other self-cleaning tanks biologically clean, little plants are planted on top of them. You do not need to do anything because this occurs automatically.

The Bottom Line on How to Clean Fish Tank Glass?

Whatever method you choose to employ—whether it’s a sponge, magnet, or scraper—you can be sure that it won’t take long before your aquarium is spotlessly clean. You’ll have more time to relax and take in your seafood as a result.