I would have sworn I saw a reference to making a magnetic algae cleaner somewhere in the forums....but I can seem to locate it.
So.....
Where would one obtain the larger magnets?
What recommendations do people have for some sort of a rubberized coating on the magnets?
TIA
Ciaus
You can actually get magnets with a rubberized coating already on them.
This would probably be your safest bet.
What size tank is this for?
Quote from: redbelly on April 15, 2010, 01:03:12 PM
You can actually get magnets with a rubberized coating already on them.
This would probably be your safest bet. What size tank is this for?
My 70...I know I can buy Mag Floats and other commercially available units but I wanted to see, if like so many things it can be done for much less money, and just a little creative effort.
Ciaus
Yeah you can certainly build one cheaper. There is no question about that.
When the magnet disconnects inside the tank and sinks to the bottom its a real PITA.
So if you build one yourself make sure it floats!
The large rubberized magnetic plates though are like $15 each. So 2 of these will be $30, which is the same price as a mag float...
Quote from: ciaus on April 15, 2010, 01:09:32 PM
My 70...I know I can buy Mag Floats and other commercially available units but I wanted to see, if like so many things it can be done for much less money, and just a little creative effort.
Ciaus
ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/For-Fish-Aquarium-Magnetic-Powered-Brush-Cleaner_W0QQitemZ270561749075QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efebca853#ht_2573wt_1165
I got one of these for the hell of it. It works for glass that is under 12mm thick. I tried it on my 12mm thick tank, no luck. but 6mm glass works great.
Does this one float?
The one from ebay. Yes it does.
Bought a couple of them off ebay about a year ago...they are blue...no brand on it, they are just fine...mine does float too
Buying from Ebay does not constitute DIY :)
Quote from: Contains Moose on April 15, 2010, 07:15:41 PM
Buying from Ebay does not constitute DIY :)
Someone is reading my mind... LOL... It's got to be hard to DIY things as they get down in price... A noble effort...
FYI, a hard-drive has powerful magnets in it. If you have some old busted harddrive you can scam the magnets out of them for 0$!
Quote from: Hookup on April 15, 2010, 08:01:35 PM
Someone is reading my mind... LOL... It's got to be hard to DIY things as they get down in price... A noble effort...
FYI, a hard-drive has powerful magnets in it. If you have some old busted harddrive you can scam the magnets out of them for 0$!
I will come back to this post in a while, but I will make a DIY one. I have Rare earth magnets at home from my highschool science project of a model Maglev Train.
found the ones I have.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32065&cat=1,42363,42348
3/4" x 1/8" 22 lb