Mag-Float Cleaners

R

riseabovethesun

Large Fish
#1
Jun 14, 2010
649
0
0
California
aquatic-underworld.blogspot.com
#1
OHMY!

I've seen these around and my lfs uses these, I finally bought one because my nerite snail is so happily planting his seed all over the front glass. This thing cleaned the algae and eggs off like no other.

I am so happy to see my glass in pristine condition again it was starting to bum me out.
 

ZackLanduyt

ZackLanduyt

Large Fish
#2
Jun 18, 2010
135
0
16
Lima OH. USA
#2
I got myself a nice little doohicky it consists of a nice handle attached to a squeegee, sponge and scraper pad all in one set up, it is nice to clean the inside of the glass, makes it look so much better
 

lauraf

lauraf

Superstar Fish
#3
Jan 1, 2010
2,181
0
0
Vancouver, British Columbia
#3
I actually find my mag-cleaner thing isn't as efficient as a regular old handheld scrubber. It might be because I have to move the magnet so slowly, whereas I can really put some elbow grease into it when I use the handheld one . . . .
And the magnet on mine is so powerful - I've almost nailed a fish when the sponge thing floated away and I beamed it back to the glass by the force of the magnet - the thing went warp-speed!
 

R

riseabovethesun

Large Fish
#6
Jun 14, 2010
649
0
0
California
aquatic-underworld.blogspot.com
#6
It shouldn't be funny, but that is pretty funny Laura :) I haven't had issues with my floating away...and I'm surprised it worked so well with the bow front and all.

Makes sense that it'd be less efficient for not being able to scrub super hard, but I can't scrub super hard because my inverts, plants and substrate would be a wreck. My plants are close to the glass so it's just a nice and easy thing. Luckily no algae is plastered on, so it made it easy.

The handheld scrubbers are a great idea too, I was going to get one of those but ended up with this.

Fish supplies are one thing I never end up bargain shopping for and I really should...
 

lauraf

lauraf

Superstar Fish
#7
Jan 1, 2010
2,181
0
0
Vancouver, British Columbia
#7
riseabovethesun said:
It shouldn't be funny, but that is pretty funny Laura :) I haven't had issues with my floating away...and I'm surprised it worked so well with the bow front and all.

Makes sense that it'd be less efficient for not being able to scrub super hard, but I can't scrub super hard because my inverts, plants and substrate would be a wreck. My plants are close to the glass so it's just a nice and easy thing. Luckily no algae is plastered on, so it made it easy.

The handheld scrubbers are a great idea too, I was going to get one of those but ended up with this.

Fish supplies are one thing I never end up bargain shopping for and I really should...
Click to expand...
I now do the hard scrubbing during a water change, when the water level is lower. Even when I'm scrubbing the surface below the water, somehow the handheld scrubber still gets more off even when moving fairly slowly. I think it's just a rougher medium than what's on the mag-cleaner. The mag-cleaner is still great for some areas - it's the front of the tank that I try to keep as clear as possible.
And no, it shouldn't be funny, but fish carpaccio is exactly what would have happened if that fish didn't move damn quick! Splat. Raw pressed fish. (Carpaccio is usually cured, tho' ;) )
 

ryanoh

ryanoh

Large Fish
#8
Mar 22, 2010
858
0
0
#8
As long as there's been fish tanks around my house growing up, there was magnet scrubbers. We accidentally knocked a snail off one and into an anemone in my families old salterwater tank, and I'm pretty sure the snail got eaten, or whatever it is anemones do.

Whenever friends come see my tank now they love the scrubber. I'm amazed at how few of my friends, even the ones who keep aquarium, know what it is.
 

lauraf

lauraf

Superstar Fish
#9
Jan 1, 2010
2,181
0
0
Vancouver, British Columbia
#9
Ahh, but the person who developed - and patented - the floating mag-cleaner is making a fortune. At least this is my understanding.
Used to be when the scrubber lost magnetic contact it sunk to the bottom, could fall way in the middle of the tank, damaging plants, fish, and required getting one's hands wet to retrieve it. The floaty kind won't fall, and apparently because it was a patented design, only one company can actually sell it . . . .
Maybe someone knows differently?
 

jamiejay09

jamiejay09

Large Fish
#10
Dec 14, 2009
421
0
0
England
#10
I have a Mag-float cleaner thingy, and its all good apart from when used on a tank with a sand substrate! Basically i got to close to the sand and some sand particles got caught in it and scratched the heck outta my tank, I was devastated... evil things... but they do the job;)
 

ryanoh

ryanoh

Large Fish
#15
Mar 22, 2010
858
0
0
#15
Mine was a gift, so I have no idea how much they cost. Thirty dollars seems way too high though.

I recently changed to sand, and I'm hella paranoid its going to scratch up my tank, so I'm being super careful when putting it near the sand. Was your tank glass or acrylic?
 

R

riseabovethesun

Large Fish
#16
Jun 14, 2010
649
0
0
California
aquatic-underworld.blogspot.com
#16
I noticed they can be pricey. My LFS sells the small for $10 and large for $13, I just happened to be at Petco and bought the large for $17.50, just goes to show how much they mark things up. But mine sounds cheap knowing some sell them for $30, gee!

I haven't had it scratch my glass, it does stay to stay about an inch or an inch and a half away from the substrate line so you don't ever have that issue. And keep it away from the corners/silicone areas and any electronics.

The toothbrush is a good idea! I should be using one of those because I should be on a student budget, but my mind refuses to acknowledge the student side of me, ha.
 

R

riseabovethesun

Large Fish
#19
Jun 14, 2010
649
0
0
California
aquatic-underworld.blogspot.com
#19
lauraf said:
Old toothbrushes are fabulous! I use them for corners in my tanks, the grout in my shower, and to clean my jewellery . . . .
Click to expand...
Yes! I use mine all over the bathroom and for jewelry! That sounds like I use my toothbrush in particular..., I mean one that I buy specifically for cleaning!

I will probably use one for the corners of my tank where the mag-cleaner won't go.
 

Doratus

Doratus

Small Fish
#20
Sep 10, 2010
35
0
0
#20
First of all, hello, this is my first time ever posting here or on any fish forum.

I used to have a 70 (or so) gallon saltwater tank and I had one of the mag floats. I've experienced every bad thing that everyone has already mentioned about these things.

*Scratched my glass when substrate was caught between the pad and the glass
*Freaked the hell out of my fish when the magnets slammed together at "warp speed"
*Destroyed the silicone in the corners

I'll admit that most of these issues were the result of me being lazy and/or clumsy, but it's easy to make these mistakes. A good ol fashioned hand scrubber is the way to go for me from now on. I will never own a magnet cleaner again. It's not a bad product, it's just not made for people like me.

For those who's LFS charge $30; here is a link to them on amazon for 13.99...including shipping.
MAGFLOAT It's the medium size but you can find the others easy enough.
 

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