FastAquatics
Step-by-step how-to

How to clean aquarium glass (without scratching it)

Step-by-step guide to cleaning aquarium glass and acrylic. Magnet cleaner, algae scraper, calcium deposits, exterior wiping.

Beginner5 steps10 min

What you'll need

Step-by-step

Step 1: Wipe inside glass with magnet cleanerMove slowly in overlapping passes. Drop the inside half briefly to dislodge stuck particles. For tough algae, lift the magnet inside the tank to engage harder rubbing surface.
Step 2: Use algae scraper for stuck-on algaeHold blade at 45° angle. Push slowly. For glass: metal blade is fine. For acrylic: ONLY plastic blade - metal scratches acrylic permanently.
Step 3: Clean exterior glassSpray white vinegar diluted 1:1 with RODI water on a microfiber cloth (NOT directly on tank - splashes can hit livestock). Wipe in straight strokes, not circles.
Step 4: Remove calcium/salt creep on rimsSaltwater tanks accumulate "salt creep" on rims. Apply vinegar with a cotton swab or cloth. Wait 2 minutes. Wipe with damp microfiber. Avoid getting vinegar in tank water.
Step 5: Polish acrylic carefullyFor acrylic only - use Novus Plastic Polish #1 to remove minor scratches. Apply tiny amount to soft cotton, polish in straight lines. Test on hidden corner first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best aquarium glass cleaner?

Inside: Mag-Float or Flipper magnet cleaner. Outside: white vinegar diluted 1:1 with RODI on a microfiber cloth.

Can I use Windex on aquarium glass?

NO. Windex contains ammonia and surfactants that can leach into the tank if any drips inside. Use vinegar.

How do I remove hard water stains on aquarium glass?

White vinegar full strength on a microfiber cloth, applied for 2 minutes, then wiped clean. For stubborn stains, repeat 3-5 times.

Related guides + tools

Browse all how-to guides, calculators, setup guides, or the disease database for related help.

Aquarium-keeping fundamentals

Whatever specific topic brought you here, four fundamentals govern long-term aquarium success: water quality, parameter stability, biological filtration, and species-appropriate husbandry. Skip any one and the others struggle to compensate.

Water quality: ammonia + nitrite at zero, nitrate under 30 ppm freshwater + 10 ppm reef. Test weekly with API or Salifert kits. Use our water parameter checker to score your readings against your tank type.

Parameter stability: stable wrong parameters beat fluctuating ideal parameters. Most fish tolerate a wide pH range if it's stable. Sudden swings of 0.4+ pH or 5+°F kill fish faster than chronic suboptimal values. Use temperature controllers (Inkbird) + automated dosing for consistency.

Biological filtration: the bacterial colony on your filter media + rock + substrate is the engine. Never replace all media at once. Use our filter turnover calculator to size correctly.

Species-appropriate husbandry: research adult size, territoriality, diet, and tankmate compatibility before purchase. Use our tank stocking calculator + compatibility guides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an aquarium take to set up? 4-6 weeks for full cycling + first stocking. Use our cycle ETA calculator + how long does cycling take.

What's the best aquarium for beginners? 20-gallon long. Big enough for parameter stability, small enough for budget + space. See beginner picks.

How often should I do water changes? 25-30% weekly. See water change frequency Q&A + water change calculator.

Why does my fish keep dying? 5 leading causes: uncycled tank, wrong species pairings, no quarantine, undersized tank, neglected water-change schedule. See full diagnosis.

Related resources

Saltwater livestock · Freshwater livestock · Coral catalog · Care library · Q&A library (222) · Glossary (127) · Disease database (50) · Calculators (29) · Interactive tools (7) · Husbandry deep-dives · DIY projects · State legality directory