Is this information True or False?

2039 Views 14 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Kubla, Dec 30, 2016

archangelvk

Discussion Starter · Dec 29, 2016

I have a 45G Freshwater tank. The glass in my tank is around 0.5 inches (5mm) thick. Today I wanted to buy a Mag Float Large + and the guy at the LFS said that it would damage/crack the glass because on the package it says "for aquarium surfaces up to 3/4" or 20mm thick." He recommended that I get the small or medium instead. I personally wanted the bigger one in case I upgrade and get a larger tank in the future. Do any of you know if getting the larger mag float will indeed crack/damage my tank? or is this guy just an idiot?

Thanks in advance

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BettaBettas

· #2 · Dec 29, 2016

pretty sure the guys an idiot, I cant see how a magnet, not powerful, will drag across glass and gouge a huge hole in it.... IMO but I generally don't use magnets....

natemcnutty

· #3 · Dec 29, 2016

For aquarium surfaces up to 3/4" which would include 1/2" glass... The reason it says that is because they can't promise the magnet will hold through thicker glass, not because it might hurt the glass.

On a side note, be really careful with the bigger ones around the caulk at the edges of your glass. The smaller versions don't seem to use as powerful of magnets as the larger ones (or maybe it's just due to surface area), and they'll tear it up pretty good.

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Reactions: 1

Nordic

· #4 · Dec 29, 2016

Dunno hey, after 30 years I still return to manually scrubbing by hand after all. Ask anyone who has done bodywork on a car, your fingers can feel what your eyes can't see.
My pleco army does most of the work these days though.

Reactions: 5

Econde

· #5 · Dec 29, 2016

I was always afraid of using the magnetic scrubbers. I wouldn't want any debris to get caught there and scrape up the inside of the tank. I use an expired license drivers ID and a toothbrush for most of my cleanings. Every time I clean, my fish will see the face of who's been taking care of them.

Nordic

· #6 · Dec 29, 2016

I just buy a roll of this stuff. It lasts about a year.

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KayakJimW

· #7 · Dec 29, 2016 (Edited)

archangelvk said:
I have a 45G Freshwater tank. The glass in my tank is around 0.5 inches (5mm) thick. Today I wanted to buy a Mag Float Large + and the guy at the LFS said that it would damage/crack the glass because on the package it says "for aquarium surfaces up to 3/4" or 20mm thick." He recommended that I get the small or medium instead. I personally wanted the bigger one in case I upgrade and get a larger tank in the future. Do any of you know if getting the larger mag float will indeed crack/damage my tank? or is this guy just an idiot?

Thanks in advance

The LFS guy may have seen that happen once and is now nervous about it. Some magnet scrapers and really strong and difficult to separate if they attach without glass in between. Not your average magfloat or even magnavores, but the wood faced ones that are like a hundred bucks and up.
I can see them breaking glass if they aren't installed correctly. You want to put the inside and outside pieces on the glass away from each other and slide them together. I you go straight in, one could fly out of your hand and slam against the glass.
Even a magfloat can rip up your silicon if its too strong for the thickness of glass you're using it on. Its a fine line: too weak and the magnet comes loose when you make quick swipes, and is less effective as a scraper. Too strong and risk damage to the silicon or glass.

Personally I would go with a Magfloat medium. They're rated up to 125 gallon tanks or 3/8" glass
The Large is for up to 350 gallons or 5/8" glass. Is your 45 gallon really 1/2" thick? Most that size are 6mm or 1/4"

Edit: Oh I see the problem here, it was a bad conversion. 5mm is really .2 inches, not .5 Definitely do not get the Large Magfloat!

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pauliewoz

· #8 · Dec 29, 2016

If you have hard algae that needs scraping you can use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original.

You just have to make sure it's the original one because it doesn't have any chemical additives.

It does a pretty good job on green spot algae without too much effort.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

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Doogy262

· #9 · Dec 29, 2016

pauliewoz said:
If you have hard algae that needs scraping you can use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original.

You just have to make sure it's the original one because it doesn't have any chemical additives.

It does a pretty good job on green spot algae without too much effort.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I agree these are the best just use the original

Calestus

· #10 · Dec 29, 2016

I usually use a scraper with a replaceable razor blade. Works beautifully.

I do have a magnetic scrubber, but I replace the velcro on it anytime it even looks like it was near the gravel.

Mag scrapers can and do get stuff stuck between them and the glass. Inevitably you'll get a scratch if you aren't mindful.

deeda

· #11 · Dec 29, 2016

I think the LFS guy wasn't clear in his statement, the problem with using the larger Mag Float on thinner glass is the chance that the user doesn't take care when installing the Mag Float and the two halves 'snap' together due to the stronger magnetic force.

I stopped using my large Mag Float after scratching the glass on my 220G tank since I use a fine sand and it is difficult to avoid picking up the sand. I just use single edge razor blades in a holder now for all my tanks, taking care to avoid the silicone corners of the tank.

Reactions: 1

Brian Rodgers

· #12 · Dec 30, 2016

Nordic said:
Dunno hey, after 30 years I still return to manually scrubbing by hand after all. Ask anyone who has done bodywork on a car, your fingers can feel what your eyes can't see.
My pleco army does most of the work these days though.

Exactly and true for all sorts of stuff like fine sanding wood work.

Kubla

· #13 · Dec 30, 2016

pauliewoz said:
If you have hard algae that needs scraping you can use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original.

You just have to make sure it's the original one because it doesn't have any chemical additives.

It does a pretty good job on green spot algae without too much effort.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Just do a search (Amazon has it) for melamine foam. It's the same thing, generic version, for a fraction of the cost.

Reactions: 1

pauliewoz

· #14 · Dec 30, 2016

Kubla said:
Just do a search (Amazon has it) for melamine foam. It's the same thing, generic version, for a fraction of the cost.

Wow, thanks so much. It looks identical. I just can't tell if it's comparable to the the original as in no additional cleaning chemicals added to it.

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Kubla

· #15 · Dec 30, 2016

pauliewoz said:
Wow, thanks so much. It looks identical. I just can't tell if it's comparable to the the original as in no additional cleaning chemicals added to it.

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There's no additives. It's just a block of that type of foam cut into squares.

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