Is It Safe To Use Windex On Your Aquarium Glass?

[@thefishylife6823]

Why do you always push the boundaries of what is clearly not advised? No people you can not use silicone 2 on your aquariums!!!! No people you should not use Windex on aquariums!!!! It's just common sense! And yes if you never get any in the water it won't hurt anything but there's kids out there that see your ignorant ass putting horrible information out here for all to see!!!! Just stop pushing bullshit if there's a 1 % chance you could kill your fish or hurt them in any way, then it's not ok!!!!!!

[@mikexxx11]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 damn dude settle down.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Lol You're gonna love the video I'll be putting out abut silicone pretty soon. And if you think I put out bad info, you clearly don't watch many KZbin videos. I put out researched info. Not just the regurgitated bullshit "everyone believes". If you think I'm wrong then don't listen to my opinion. Think for yourself ffs.

[@aquablaster86]

The fishy life has spoken Dan. Time to call it quits on the KZbin career! 😂🤪🤦‍♂️

[@Shaden0040]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly There are several things I don't listen to you on, and use my own smarts to know BS from real information, even if researched. I also do research on my own. Have worked at an aquarium store when younger, and also did volunteer work at the New England Aquarium and got advice for my tanks from EXPERTS in the field of fresh and marine tanks on an INDUSTRIAL scale. I trust their expertise and knowledge over some of the practices you do which put your fish in minor to moderate jeopardy for survival. I am not saying I have made no mistakes in fish keeping. I have, but that was before I got corrected knowledge, or from accidents or situations of weather out of my control. I offer my knowledge and experience to you to take or use as you wish. But I also put it out there for others who want to know reality of situations that can and will harm your fish, and shorten their lives by any amount. Frequent small water changes do the least damage to your fish in parameter changes. When I first got into the hobby, I, nor my other family members, didn't know not to wash the filter material with tap water. Now I know better. But in the beginning I always wondered why my ammonia levels would spike out at 100-300 PPM no matter how many water changes I was doing. What I finally realized and was told and learned by working at the fish store and the NEA was that by washing the filter material in tap water I was exposing the beneficial bacteria to Chlorine and Chloramine which killed them and did damage to the fish each time I did a water change. This was just before Chlorine removers were introduced into the hobby back in the early to mid 1970s. I didn't work and volunteer until the late 70s. I didn't realize that my unintentional lack of knowledge actions were torturing and eventually killing my fish. It is never too late to learn healthier practices for your fish. After all, isn't that the reason for being in this hobby? To keep the fish healthy and live, and even breeding for our enjoyment of watching their behaviors? Ti give them the best lives they can have? to provide habitats they can be comfortable and non-stressed living in? After all they are not like other pets that if treated badly, even unbeknownst to us, can't get up and walk out of our homes we keep them in. It is all about gaining the knowledge you need to do it right, AND putting in the work each day to keep your tanks at optimal conditions. Which means checking all parameters, checking temperature daaily, checking filter output and water flow in your tanks. Trimming plants, feeding the correct foods, keeping compatible fish together, doing gravel vaccing and water changes on a timely schedule, making a note book for recording parameters of each tank to see if any changes cause a disease outbreak. Keeping quarantine and medicatible tanks. giving a tank time to cycle before adding plants and inhabitants, and allowing a tank to mature for more than 5-6 months and then rescaping a tank. I've seen recently some people with ADD change their sccapeonatank after 2 months. It hasn't even had time to cycle in and pof theychange the scaping and fish and plants to some new look. That is one aspect I like about Dan's tanks He scapes them and lets the mature making small adjustments in fish, plants, and hard scape over time.

[@thefishylife6823]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly you are insisting that it's acceptable to use harmful chemicals with animals!! This is not a opinion! And clearly from the other comments below you are not the only ignorant person! I have seen many videos on KZbin with bad info (no dout you aren't alone) but you are the only person I have seen that makes videos encouraging people to spray Windex on their aquarium!! Use silicone 2 in the aquarium!!! On what planet do you think you are right? If it's harmful to a animal why risk it? I bet you just run back up to PetSmart and buy another?

[@deedeedamnit406]

I have been using window cleaner for years...never once had an issue. I mean geez... it's not like I'm spraying it in the water 🙄

[@simonwood1542]

Dee Dee Bullock same here Dee...Never been an issue.

[@chrismulford7005]

I have always used windex on my exterior glass. I always spray on towel and not on glass to prevent any getting in tank

[@jillking23]

I have used it for yrs! No problems. Great demonstration and video! 👍

[@codylong3517]

A little bit of vinegar and water in a spray bottle does the job just fine. If you are not comfortable with the vinegar smell. Make it ahead of time and throw in some for citrus peels and let it soak for a few days before use. Anyways thanks for the video here’s a like

[@cichlaocellaris8304]

Love this video made me laugh out loud multiple times. I have used Windex on my tank 4 over 16 years including around eight years of discus and I never had a single problem. Absolutely hilarious video, top draw.

[@TheBudgetAquarist]

Hey Dan, just wanted to let you know I emailed GE customer service, after reading the comments on this video, and actually got a response regarding their GE Silicone II and it's use in aquariums. My question was if GE Silicone II is 100% pure silicone, which is the same thing that Aquarium silicone is, and if it has any additives. The response was that GE Silicone II is 100% pure silicone, though the paintable version of it is not. They also said the product is not recommended for under water use as it may not perform properly, and also that they do not know if there would be any harm to fish, and for these two reasons they do not recommended for aquarium use. They also added that they do not recommend it for any under waterline line use, not just aquariums. But, they said, it is 100% pure silicone. So To call something 100% silicone means it can only contain certain chemicals. From what I was told by the manufacturer of aquarium silicone, they manufacture a 100% silicon which is a more slow curing silicone (they claim) making it better for aquarium use. But all that being said, you are correct that GE Silicone II, the plain clear 100% silicone, with no additives to make it paintable or to color it, is indeed 100% silicone, making it identical to products sold as Aquarium silicone, perhaps other than a slight difference in drying time. As is typical of large companies, they were quite obviously trying to avoid putting themselves in any situation in which they would be liable for either dead fish or leaking aquariums. But at least they did confirm that there are no additives and it is 100% silicone. So if aquarium manufacturers are using 100% silicone, then GE Silicone II is no different. I just got the email back today and wanted to pass along that information to you. Best regards, Bruce

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Thanks. That was very useful info. It more or less confirmed what I had deduced myself, but wasn't sure of. It's mostly marketing and liability avoidance.

[@TheBudgetAquarist]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly yes Dan the person who responded to me was very carefully trying to tell me that they wanted no liability for water damage or dead fish but that their product was no different than 100% silicone sold as aquarium silicone. As you said, it's just a business decision. When you consider all of the construction applications for their product they probably don't care about what a tiny percent of sales to guys building aquariums would mean for them!

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

@@TheBudgetAquarist Exactly. Lol I said the same thing. The market share of people using it in aquariums is nothing to them. Especially since we all use it anyway. Lol If you look at the label on Silicone #1, it says not to use underwater or in aquariums, just like the Silicone 2 does.

[@IsabellaM._]

I like to use vinegar on my glass aquariums. I too spray the cloth first. I love the videos where you sit in front of your aquarium and chat about stuff.

[@glentuchscherer968]

I have always sprayed windex onto a paper towel and cleaned the outside of the tanks. I also find it very useful to test my Seachem ammonia alert thingy. It only takes a small wiff of Windex and the color indicator changes color.

[@AndreaNoellie]

Very informative! Thanks for posting this with evidence as well.

[@chrispalmer9802]

Lol. I just used Windex on my 125 today. I used to just spray it on my newspaper then wipe the glass but now I just spray it on the glass up close so it doesnt go everywhere and try to wipe it down without any running down into the bottom frame. Nice test

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Newspaper is the way to go. I clean my truck windows with it.

[@lynnbonica4342]

Nice test to prove your point. Like it's gonna soak through the glass, right? Recently found your channel, subscribed, and now I watch all the time! You address topics no one else does, which I love. So many others are just doing variations on a theme. Monster fish, guppy breeding, yadee ya... 👍😀

[@aquablaster86]

I use windex from time to time, but lately i have been using the Fritz cleaner. Works great since i only have 4 tanks in my house and 1 bottle lasts me 6 months or better. If i had as many tanks as you do i would go with windex.

[@cathyrussell9280]

Love your video and explanation, I've always use glass cleaner but spray into paper towel then wipe glass, years ago hubby decided to do some polishing and spraying near my tank so stopped him in case some spray got into tank , said not to be stupid and sprayed it right next to my tank , couple mins later 2 of my fish were dead on top of water , did I let RIP on him , keep up the videos

[@davidsamsell2031]

Hi Dan, Lively subject video matter for discussion. 😂 Honestly, I think your videos are great. 👍 I have used vinegar, ammonia and Fritz cleaners on exterior aquarium glass with zero issues. Anything, when one thinks about it could potentially harm an aquarium, if not properly used. Like an accidentally dumped can of flake food, medication overdose or improper water additive amount, etc. Even things like excessive water changes and cleanings sometimes do more harm than good in my opinion. I feel that one should be led by common sense, research and applied practical knowledge. Again, keep up the great work. 😎. Thanks....

[@MikeV607]

Spraying a towel instead of the glass is the best way even though over spray is unlikely. On the test, API regents should always be shaken well before use. The first regent needs to be added and mixed with the water before the second regent is added to ensure the proper chemical (color) reaction....as specified in the instructions.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I've shot videos about the tests. I've tried every which way you can think, and the colors come out the same.

[@Shelzbells]

Been using windex forever for cleaning the outside glass of aquariums. Im just careful not to spray it in the tank. Or if you want to be really careful, spray some on your towel and not directly on the glass.

[@AnditoBrandito]

Hey Dan, love the study. You remind me of Diana Walstad and how she conducts her research. All you're missing is a peer review and itll be set in stone! Haha

[@newenglandendler]

i use it , also use dawn dish soap to clean sponge filters . never any problems

[@barryjohnson828]

Don't use on acylic tanks will over time cloud up the acrylic on tank but fine on glass also don't use on motorcycle windshields

[@BarrySuridge]

Distilled/filtered water used with a paper towel works 100% and all I have ever used!! If you're going to persist with chemical-based glass cleaners there are many Ammonia free brands out there. Windex Multi-Surface with Vinegar is the vinegar-based glass cleaner that is good for aquarium use.

[@louisl5086]

I use it on the outside of my glass. I spay it onto a sponge and clean the outside of the glass. Making sure I dont go right to the top so the windex doesnt contaminate the water.

[@zafishguy5166]

In reefs I advise against it because they are so delicate that growth rates will slow but in freshwater do as you wish but I dont anymore not after using a lot one day amd finding a 7 year old red severum dead (was showing old age signs however)...

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Dan, my concern is how this video gets interpreted. The fish is one concern, the next is effects on humans. Once that spray becomes airborne there's no telling where it can end up. The S.C. Johnson website lists Windex's ingredients as water, 2-hexoxyethanol, isopropanolamine, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, lauramine oxide, ammonium hydroxide, fragrance, and Liquitint sky blue dye. Not for me or my fish.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Ok. You can use whatever you feel comfortable with.

[@loavesfishes6268]

Of all the commenters here only one (so far) has addressed a most important issue about spraying anything around the outside of your tank; air pumps and some types of filtration that allow air air to enter the water column. A lid won’t do any good in those cases. I don’t spray anything into the air in the rooms where my tanks are, much less near them, I always pour my cleaner of choice (vinegar) on my towel. I agree that the concentration of contamination is probably minute, but you never know what might trigger a meltdown at any given time. For me, I choose to err on the side of caution.

[@itsfish8672]

if i run out of windex dan i use white vinger i have always used both

[@Waisys_79timecapsule]

I wanna know if you can use windex in your tank like 3 days before u set the tank up ?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Yes. No problem.

[@MrInnovativeguy]

What kind of fish are those with the black stripe

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

A Notropis species. not sure which species though.

[@chaitern6075]

Water and a squeegee works better especially if you have a cheaper aquarium cus cheaper aquarium glass tends to get stained easily and some of those marks are almost impossible to take off once its there

[@michaellindsey1543]

Now you know how Galileo felt when he dropped his balls off that tower and decided the Earth was round. . . .

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I think you might be confusing your ancient discoverers. Lol

[@michaellindsey1543]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly Absolutely but who in the heck knows how to spell Eratosthenes!?!?!? Hehehehe

[@eds8028]

I thought windex might have a small amount of soap in it or something. But I've been using it on my tanks since I was a kid. Never had a problem.

[@pdiz]

OMG, never knew other people were paranoid about this. I think I read it was bad, and figured it was the "overspray" or whatever, so got into the habit of applying it to the rag first, in another room, then walking over and wiping the aquarium. But then I started thinking about bathroom spray because my tank is right next to the bathroom, and so far the fish have been fine, but I do think about it, and tend to close the bathroom door when I use spray. But then, I also get paranoid because my girlfriend vapes in the same room as my tanks. I mean, I do regular water changes, but is that going to affect them? But anyway, are you sure it's JUST the ammonia that's the issue? I mean, I'm sure anything other than fish tank water is bad, right? That's my thinking anyway.

[@BarrySuridge]

Windex Multi-Surface with Vinegar is the vinegar-based glass cleaner that is good for aquarium use.

[@spiritwolfie90]

Ight haven't seen anyone say anything that might answer my question so maybe someone can reply. Got a 70 gallon tank from someone. Super dirty amd am using multisurface vinegar cleaner ammonia free on the outside AND inside. Tank is all dry now. Am gonna set up the tank and fill with water. Then put some fish in after a week. Would anything bad happen when I put the fish in?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Nope. You'll be fine. Rinse the tank with water if you're concerned. (wipe with a wet paper towel)

[@spiritwolfie90]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly ok cool thanks.

[@charlessloop1552]

I have always used windex to clean either spray the glass towards the bottom or spray it on a towel and all my tanks have full in closed lids

[@hillbillynomad6697]

I use vinegar and water or if I must use windex I spray the rag and then clean the glass

[@rotaryskratch18]

I think the problem might be using ammonia on acrylic or plexiglass. On regular glass it's absolutely fine. Only a complete buffoon would accidentally spill half a bottle into their tank.

[@aquariumfunthejoyofaquariu6060]

Very cool!

[@rogeraquarium6872]

I use windex on my glass and i use dawn dish soap on filter impellers. Been doing this for years.

[@ironfae]

Windex KNOWS that one of its most common groups of customers is aquarium owners. They’ve closely monitored their formula (since the 1980’s) to maintain a safe and effective product. Just spray the cloth, not the glass, and use that cloth on the surface only. Wipe it dry and you’ll have a clean surface with no harm done to your fish.

[@fnyy45]

Hello My fred very nicr video

[@kfuhrman2008]

It's because the companies that sell expensive "fish safe" glass cleaner couldn't sell their product if people didn't think they needed it.

[@wtfmrb293]

I would say no. If it is a small very small chance for a drop goes in the tank, and why is it necessarily to use it. You can clean the glass just as easily with a damp paper towel. Why risk it for the Biscuit

[@veltape]

i use the vinegar windex they sell.

[@Shaden0040]

It can be safe if used correctly , being you spray it on a rag outside your fishroom, and then wipe down your tanks. But I prefer to use 50% distilled white vinegar and 50% distilled water solution as a spray directly on the tanks. Spraying windex or any ammonia glass cleaner on your tanks is a definite no-no. That ammonia gets in your tanks and worse gets in your air pumps and filters and can cause harm to your fish's gills. Plus many of the glass cleaners also have a suffactent and or soaps in them

[@rcjk1]

I always close-up spray Windex onto a folder paper towel then clean my glass.

[@corys.dietrich1448]

I use windex on the glass of my aquarium.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I was just thinking about you today. I haven't seen any of your videos pop up, but thought it was because I get so many that you were lost in the shuffle.

[@corys.dietrich1448]

No i have just been really busy I made the promotion list, I leave for a two month long school in virgina in two months. And I just got orders to move to ALASKA. So been getting preped for that.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

@@corys.dietrich1448 Alaska!? Wow.

[@corys.dietrich1448]

Yea dont know how the fish tank hobby is gonna work in alaska. Might have to put my tank in storage till I get back in 3 years hahaha

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

@@corys.dietrich1448 That's a bummer. Maybe just a small one with cold water fish?

[@davidadkins8805]

If it happened to not show ammonia in the test the snowflakes would have said your furry paw was in the way you didn’t really test it. Keep on Dan you’re appreciate d by the many.

[@VetAquatics]

Definitely an interesting video. I think there is a lot of old, dated advice and "rules" when it comes to aquariums and the hobby. People tend to believe the first things they hear and then take it for gospel. Too many people don't bother to do their own research and try things for themselves, which propagates the continued misinformation. We have the world's collective knowledge at our fingertips folks, it's time to start researching things a bit. We SHOULD question things that "have always been". Just because everyone is doing something doesn't make it it right, and just because nobody is doing something doesn't make it wrong.

[@fishfood8719]

Haven't lost a fish in my fresh or coral in a reef tank in 40 years. I spray it directly on paper towel mostly, sometimes directly on bottom edge of glass but spray very close to surface to not create a mist.

[@highwateraquatics2476]

Light the fuse!!!! I don't use Windex just because I don't use Windex. I'm not afraid of ammonia. I have a gallon jug of ammonia I use to pollute new tanks with so I can test and strengthen bacteria before I add fish. Also fish can handle more ammonia than you might think. Don't be stupid and cause problems but don't be stupid and panic either. The only negative in my world is "If it can go wrong it will" but ammonia should never be the problem.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

And if your water is below 7 pH, then ammonia becomes ammonium, which is harmless anyway.

[@jakedouglas6193]

I just use vinegar, works great

[@sasfishadventures9729]

I just use water lol

[@DIYG-dad]

Hello new friend here you have a very nice tank and fish hope you visit me to full support given

[@steph5631]

S

[@tball5677]

I have been in the hobby for over 50 years and have always used windex to clean the glass. Not once have I ever had an issue. My opinion is if your too stupid to operate a spray bottle, maybe you should find a not so challenging hobby.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Lol I agree.

[@yunajones9077]

NOOO USE VINEGAR! sorry for yelling but you can kill your fish if you use Windex.

[@BarrySuridge]

The only safe level of ammonia is 0 parts per million (ppm).

[@Shaden0040]

Ammonium hydroxide is not ammonia with water, it is ammonia with hydrogen. it is the same type of ammonia as you'll find in comets and the gas giant planets in our solar system. Its not just the ammonia it is the surfactents and the alcohols all of which can strip your fish of their protective slime coating.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ammonium-hydroxide ammonium hydroxide: Ammonia water Ammonia aqueous Ammonia solution Ammonium hydroxide is a solution of ammonia in water.

[@Desperado070]

But why use anything at all "if" water alone can fix it? Just my two cents, better safe than sorry.

[@Desperado070]

Isn't lauramine oxide another word for soap?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

It's a surfactant. "Soap" is fatty acids and something or other. The point being that "soap" is a specific thing, while a surfactant is what most of us call soap, as in dish soap or shampoo.