Cleaning Glass Tanks

What is the best way to srub down and clean a glass tank? Are there any cleaning chemicals that are a definet no no or is anything ok?

Thanks!

 

That is a good question, Calliope! I don't know, but if it were me i'd just use water, and a non-toxic soap. Dont quote me on that though...

 

lol off topic but yay my brother had a fish tank with bout 7 fish in it and he cleaned it with a pre-soaped sponge lets just say in 30 minutes the fish died :cry:

 

well first what are you using the tank for? snakes fish lizards what? for lizard use a 10%bleach 90% water solution. scrub the tank. rinse out GOOD removing all the smell of bleach then let it air dry.

 

u can try 20% vinegar-water solution, but whatever u use, as Leos for Life says, RINSE THOROUGHLY and air dry - make sure there's absolutely no smell of cleaning solution left.

 

If you dont want the smell of Vin. or bleach....try using flat coke......The acid in coke is real strong even though it is flat..... I know it sounds weird but it does work, and without using any harmful chemecals on your tank..........

 

OK, the coke thing is freaking me out. Now, everytime I drink coke, I'm going to be thinking bleach? vinegar? acid????!!! :shock:

 

The tank is for a lizard. And thanks for everyone's advice. I'm not shocked that flat coke would be a good cleaner since one year as a science experiment when I was a kid I eroded a tooth with coke

 

Coke also works to clean car battery terminals. I actually use a mix of ginger ale, and water to clean my tanks. Then I use distilled water to rinse out so I don't have any sure left or water spots.

 

well they make stuff for tanks that they have at most petstores calle wipeout for tanks.

 

do NOT use bleach or any cleaning supplies on any animal's cage. warm water and a brillo pad are the best and don't poison your pets.

 

I don't think just warm water will kill bacteria/mold...

 

no but Chlorhexidine (click here!) will. i forgot to mention that in my last post - chlorhexidine (novalsan) is the only chemical you should use to clean cages other than water.

 

A disinfectant would help some cleaning too.

 

I looked into chlorhex. From what I can figure, it does kill bacteria, mold, fungus, but does not kill mites and parasites. Am I right?

how about comercial terranium cleaners such as Wipe-Out, ESU terranium cleaner (I found these on sale at herpsupplies.com along with novalscan.

 

What kind of disinfectant do u use??

 

to kill mites we use Reptile Relief. the only safe disinfectant is chlorhexidine.

 

OK, do u use reptile relief as well as chlorheidine for routine cleaning? how often do u recommend I do a thorough tank/furniture cleaning for a 20 gal 1 leo set up?

 

i just use the reptile relief when i see mites and such. just spray it right on the mites. the chlorhex i use for regular cleaning, though. you must rinse it off with plain water afterwards, though. you could use tap water to wipe down a leo's tank every week or so and i'd take everything out and scrub it with chlorhex every couple months or so.

 

welcome, langdon!

this is kind of off-topic, but i've heard coke can clean toilets, bathtubs, shower heads, and faucets! never tried it, though . . .