I've seen these online and in stores, I have been tempted to buy one just to try. Can anyone tell me from experience whether or not they work?
Thanks!
I stopped using mine when I got a piece of dirt or gravel stuck under the magnet and scratched the tank before I noticed what had happened... They probably work well if you are careful but I won't use it anymore myself.
Beyond user error, these work well. I still scrape glass with a blade every 2 months (ok, so like about then, it's not a date on the calendar or nuttn....)... great for day-to-day or every-other-day quick cleanups.
the mag cleaner makes my job easier. i have one in every tank
They rock. Have them in all my tanks. I still scrape the glass before a water change though.
Do you guys use the floating ones?
Yes, but as Brine said they can scratch if you have fine gravel. I have accidentally put a lot of scratches on some of my tanks and it makes me want to chuck them out the window and replace them.
If you are going to use one, I would stay an inch off the bottom and scrape that with a blade.
Yes I use the floating kind...
I also have scratched my tank... and I think i"m pretty careful about using them... agreed, stay off the bottom about 1-2" and you should be safe... in my SW sand-bed the fineparticles get picked up fast and easy... when that happens (about every time I clean the glass), I let the inside piece float-up and clean it, then go back to it... happens on a bad day twice... and always cause i'm going too fast at the bottom and rushing...
Attaching the razor-blade to the unit (MAG FLOATS) makes this problem go away... you can so easily scrape off the algae at the bottom with the blade there is no reason to go fast and stir up stuff...
I have one but it does not compare to sharp blade.
I bought a 24" pvc pipe cut a small slit in the side 1/4" from an end (use a thin hacksaw) and inserted a blade. works well and cleans the coraline that starts on the front. I still use the mag float but once a week I scapr with the blade.
I agree, a blade is best. I still use MagFloat but it takes much longer to clean with it and can't really handle tough algae (like GSA). The really good side is convenience...
What is the difference between the magnets made for acrylic tanks and those for glass tanks? What I'm really asking is whether a model rated for acrylic can be used in a glass tank. I've seen some acrylic models around at clearance pricing, may be worth the 3 bucks if it works on glass. From what I could tell they are simply a smaller gauge but I dunno without opening the package.
Thanks
I put an 'easy-blade' attachment on my mag float and I don't put my arm in the tank to clean the glass anymore. It takes away coralline and green spot algae on the first or second swipe.
Quote from: Adam on March 25, 2009, 05:24:28 PM
I put an 'easy-blade' attachment on my mag float and I don't put my arm in the tank to clean the glass anymore. It takes away coralline and green spot algae on the first or second swipe.
+1 ...genius
Quote from: Adam on March 25, 2009, 05:24:28 PM
I put an 'easy-blade' attachment on my mag float and I don't put my arm in the tank to clean the glass anymore. It takes away coralline and green spot algae on the first or second swipe.
Interesting... Could you explain "easy-blade". Do you have a picture?
I sure would like to make one of these glass cleaners.
Quote from: barabe on March 28, 2009, 09:36:39 AM
Interesting... Could you explain "easy-blade". Do you have a picture?
I sure would like to make one of these glass cleaners.
Marinescape have something similar in their show tank at the back of the store.
I'd like to know how to mod something like that too.
Quote from: barabe on March 28, 2009, 09:36:39 AM
Interesting... Could you explain "easy-blade". Do you have a picture?
I sure would like to make one of these glass cleaners.
http://www.easybladeusa.com/ (http://www.easybladeusa.com/)
I got one of the floaters, it scratched the tank straight out of the package, there was no chance it had gravel or anything in it. Its an older tank, about 10 years old probably, so maybe glass has improved, we still use it, but not on the front of the tank.
Aside from the scratching issues and the need for caution, they do work. I made mine even better. Dollar stores have cheap dish cleaning sponges with a green (very gentle) scouring pad attached. I think I got ten for a buck. Just peel the green pad off the sponge and stick it on the scraper half of the Mag Float. The little scraper thingies on the float will keep it in place. Works like magic on most algae. Just toss it for a new one when dirty. I'll never use a 'stock' one again.
Just make sure you don't buy the sponges that come soak in Scotch Bright or some other cleaner. You would have really clean fish!
Quote from: QueensU on April 06, 2009, 10:16:20 PM
Just make sure you don't buy the sponges that come soak in Scotch Bright or some other cleaner. You would have really clean fish!
No, you would have a really clean tank... clean of fish... :)