Algae Free Magnet - worth it and size?

Linina · 04/23/2008, 09:38 PM

I need a magnet. I'm torn between the $10 variety and the $50+ variety.

I googled and it seems people who've had a magfloat and an algae free sure love the algae free.

I was wondering if anyone cares to persuade me one way or the other.

if I order one but I'm not exactly sure which size - I have a 90 gal tank. Marinedepot says the hammerhead is for 75-250 gal, while the Drs says its 110-something. I'm not sure whether a standard 90 is 1/2" glass or not - If I knew the glass thickness this would be easier since each one has a max glass thickness. I looked on Aqueon's site but no thickness data. I could try to eyeball it but with the trim that's hard.

freddie40 · 04/23/2008, 09:52 PM

I have the hammerhead and it is the best magnet type that I have owned. However, this being said nothing does a better job than doing it the old fashioned way, with a pad and a hand

Dave

Dave & Monica · 04/24/2008, 08:32 AM

I have the magfloat ($10 one) and can say the algae that grows on the outside of it actually hides it better. I use it at least every other day so no algae ever builds up on the inside which does the work. I clean it every 4-5 months so it's not that often. I think you'll be happy with whatever you decide.

Dave & Monica · 04/24/2008, 08:39 AM

You should know I have two of them on either side of the tank and you can see through to the other side. That's what I mean by hiding the magnet...

jreeceaspen · 04/25/2008, 11:52 AM

Everything else is garbage. Check out Mighty Magnets. I have had a pair for seven years and just bought a new set this year. The new ones float, the first ones I had from way back didn't. Put it this way, I haven't put my arm in my tank for years now. The dude that owns it is super nice and usually has blem ones for cheaper. That is the route I went, who can tell?

Dave & Monica · 04/25/2008, 10:43 PM

Well my garbage ones clean the glass for 10 bucks, and float too. It's not mighty but it CLEANS THE GLASS, what else is there for it to do?

tkeracer619 · 04/25/2008, 11:18 PM

I think its worth it to get a nice powerfull magnet.

jreeceaspen · 04/28/2008, 11:49 AM

tkeracer619 is right, you don't want to skimp on this?

Zooid · 04/28/2008, 12:07 PM

I've switched to using a razor blade rather than the mag floats......mine don't work very well.
I have found a good use for them though....I use mine for an algae clip hehe.

Linina · 04/28/2008, 09:07 PM

Well I ordered the Hammerhead. Thanks for the advice, everyone!

freddie40 · 04/28/2008, 09:11 PM

A very good choice.

Dave

04/23/2008, 09:38 PM	#1
Linina Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aurora, Colorado Posts: 366	Algae Free Magnet - worth it and size? I need a magnet. I'm torn between the $10 variety and the $50+ variety. I googled and it seems people who've had a magfloat and an algae free sure love the algae free. I was wondering if anyone cares to persuade me one way or the other. if I order one but I'm not exactly sure which size - I have a 90 gal tank. Marinedepot says the hammerhead is for 75-250 gal, while the Drs says its 110-something. I'm not sure whether a standard 90 is 1/2" glass or not - If I knew the glass thickness this would be easier since each one has a max glass thickness. I looked on Aqueon's site but no thickness data. I could try to eyeball it but with the trim that's hard. __________________ 40 breeder, Elos Mini Current Tank Info: 40 breeder, elos mini

04/23/2008, 09:52 PM	#2
freddie40 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aurora, Co Posts: 1,415	I have the hammerhead and it is the best magnet type that I have owned. However, this being said nothing does a better job than doing it the old fashioned way, with a pad and a hand Dave __________________ At D.A.R.C. we are all Premium Members. Current Tank Info: 75gal with T5 lighting and 29gal Biocube with LED lighting

04/25/2008, 11:18 PM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I think its worth it to get a nice powerfull magnet. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/28/2008, 09:07 PM	#10
Linina Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aurora, Colorado Posts: 366	Well I ordered the Hammerhead. Thanks for the advice, everyone! __________________ 40 breeder, Elos Mini Current Tank Info: 40 breeder, elos mini

04/28/2008, 09:11 PM	#11
freddie40 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aurora, Co Posts: 1,415	A very good choice. Dave __________________ At D.A.R.C. we are all Premium Members. Current Tank Info: 75gal with T5 lighting and 29gal Biocube with LED lighting

04/24/2008, 08:32 AM	#3
Dave & Monica Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 1,255	I have the magfloat ($10 one) and can say the algae that grows on the outside of it actually hides it better. I use it at least every other day so no algae ever builds up on the inside which does the work. I clean it every 4-5 months so it's not that often. I think you'll be happy with whatever you decide.

04/24/2008, 08:39 AM	#4
Dave & Monica Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 1,255	You should know I have two of them on either side of the tank and you can see through to the other side. That's what I mean by hiding the magnet...

04/25/2008, 11:52 AM	#5
jreeceaspen Thirsty Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 383	Everything else is garbage. Check out Mighty Magnets. I have had a pair for seven years and just bought a new set this year. The new ones float, the first ones I had from way back didn't. Put it this way, I haven't put my arm in my tank for years now. The dude that owns it is super nice and usually has blem ones for cheaper. That is the route I went, who can tell?

04/25/2008, 10:43 PM	#6
Dave & Monica Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 1,255	Well my garbage ones clean the glass for 10 bucks, and float too. It's not mighty but it CLEANS THE GLASS, what else is there for it to do?

04/28/2008, 11:49 AM	#8
jreeceaspen Thirsty Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 383	tkeracer619 is right, you don't want to skimp on this?

04/28/2008, 12:07 PM	#9
Zooid Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,166	I've switched to using a razor blade rather than the mag floats......mine don't work very well. I have found a good use for them though....I use mine for an algae clip hehe.