Magnets for securing frags to glass?

Digitalelectric · 07/18/2012, 11:59 AM

So in my current rockscape Ive got my rocks down low to allow lots of vertical growth for my SPS. However I think it would look neat if I had some corals attached to my glass randomly around the tank, especially tabling acros. Ive seen it done before but when I tried to attach frags to my glass with putty, supergluegel, etc they just fall off.
Has anyone tried using supermagnets like found here http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=RA22 ? I figure I can put one on each side of the tank and encase the magnet in a waterproof epoxy, then put putty over it to attach the frag.

MattyO · 07/18/2012, 12:28 PM

this is popular, people also use magnetic rocks (a structure that looks like rock with a magnet on the back) to grow corals the way you describe. I would not attache a magnet directly to a coral but would use the magnetic rocks. I am sure a search of a few internet stores would find you something you liked.

bambam918 · 07/18/2012, 12:31 PM

I wouldn't mind seeing photographs of this as it sounds really interesting

Digitalelectric · 07/18/2012, 01:12 PM

Hmm Ive never seen magnetic rocks at my lfs. These magnets are only like a buck, Im sure magnetic rocks are expensive.

Khemul · 07/18/2012, 01:36 PM

Pretty sure "magnetic rock" in this case is simply a rock with a magnet glued too it.

Yeah, those types of magnets should work. Not sure on strength but it is done enough that there should be people who know the strength of magnets required.

Otherwise try searching for DIY magnetic powerhead mounts. The same principles that were used on those should work on a magnetic frag mount.

whis169 · 07/18/2012, 01:48 PM

Premuim Aquatics sells mag rocks for frags. They look cool, they have a large and a small. I was thinking of getting 1 or 2.

NewBostonConst · 07/18/2012, 08:18 PM

I did this a couple years ago in a twenty gallon I had. I ran out of room so I started sticking frags on the back wall while i was getting ready for my 135.

divewsharks · 07/18/2012, 11:19 PM

I seen people get those types of magnets, coat them in silicone and then use them, preventative measure in case any of the metals begin to corrode over time due to exposure to saltwater.
or you can just buy coated magnets, like the replacements for frag racks and such.

If you give the coral increased surface area, like with epoxy and superglue and support it while the epoxy cures it should also work.

Digitalelectric · 07/19/2012, 06:44 AM

Awesome, thanks for the pics and replies. Will check those out!

NewBostonConst · 07/19/2012, 07:57 AM

Just a note. The magnets were neodymium magnets off ebay. At first I was attaching the the frags right to the magnet itself. Some of them came apart and the frag would still encrust it, so I really don't think the magnet parts are as bad for your tank as everyone freaks out about, otherwise it would have killed the frag and the frag wouldn't have encrusted on it.

divewsharks · 07/19/2012, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBostonConst

Just a note. The magnets were neodymium magnets off ebay. At first I was attaching the the frags right to the magnet itself. Some of them came apart and the frag would still encrust it, so I really don't think the magnet parts are as bad for your tank as everyone freaks out about, otherwise it would have killed the frag and the frag wouldn't have encrusted on it.

contact with metal should not kill a frag/coral. time is what people are concerned about. saltwater is very corrosive and later on is when you 'could' run into issues in our tiny boxes. so as a preventative, its easy to coat the wetside of the magnet.

ymmv

Teddynola · 07/19/2012, 11:29 AM

I just bought these from BRS, but haven't used them yet. They are a bit pricy, but you won't have to worry about corrosion, or a DIY project. My plan is to attach some zoas, to grow on the back wall.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...s-wonders.html

Digitalelectric · 07/19/2012, 11:30 AM

The ones on the website that I posted are Nickel. It said Ni-Cu-Ni so theres copper in there somewhere, which as you know/should know is lethal in reefs. I figure if I coat it then it should be fine.

07/18/2012, 11:59 AM	#1
Digitalelectric Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 422	Magnets for securing frags to glass? So in my current rockscape Ive got my rocks down low to allow lots of vertical growth for my SPS. However I think it would look neat if I had some corals attached to my glass randomly around the tank, especially tabling acros. Ive seen it done before but when I tried to attach frags to my glass with putty, supergluegel, etc they just fall off. Has anyone tried using supermagnets like found here http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=RA22 ? I figure I can put one on each side of the tank and encase the magnet in a waterproof epoxy, then put putty over it to attach the frag.

07/18/2012, 12:28 PM	#2
MattyO Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 800	this is popular, people also use magnetic rocks (a structure that looks like rock with a magnet on the back) to grow corals the way you describe. I would not attache a magnet directly to a coral but would use the magnetic rocks. I am sure a search of a few internet stores would find you something you liked. __________________ ~300G System, 180+ 90 plumbed to 75G Sump.. in the making

07/18/2012, 12:31 PM	#3
bambam918 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ahwatukee Posts: 601	I wouldn't mind seeing photographs of this as it sounds really interesting __________________ 180 DT peninsula with 90 gallon sump. Three Radion Pro's and two Tunze 6105's. bubble magus curve7 and two Jager 300 watt heaters. Temp probe, PH probe and ORP probe. ATS. Mag5 return. BRS dose for CA

07/18/2012, 01:48 PM	#6
whis169 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indy Posts: 101	Premuim Aquatics sells mag rocks for frags. They look cool, they have a large and a small. I was thinking of getting 1 or 2. __________________ current tank info: mixed softie reef started in 2004 54g aga corner, Maxspect LED, 15g sump/fug, swc-150 skimmer. 20g elos mini, sump/fug, bubble magus skimmer, e-lite, mp10, 16lbs marco rock, 20lb

07/19/2012, 11:29 AM	#12
Teddynola pod wrangler Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 301	I just bought these from BRS, but haven't used them yet. They are a bit pricy, but you won't have to worry about corrosion, or a DIY project. My plan is to attach some zoas, to grow on the back wall. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...s-wonders.html __________________ 75g Oceanic RR mixed reef in progress, 40b sump. Current Tank Info: Black occ pair, lawnmower blenny, scooter dragonette, yellow tang, male and female green mandarin, one spot foxface, flame hawkfish, fire shrimp, harlequin shrimp, skunk cleaner shrimp, harlequin starfish, with softies, sps, lps.

07/18/2012, 01:12 PM	#4
Digitalelectric Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 422	Hmm Ive never seen magnetic rocks at my lfs. These magnets are only like a buck, Im sure magnetic rocks are expensive.

07/18/2012, 01:36 PM	#5
Khemul Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 988	Pretty sure "magnetic rock" in this case is simply a rock with a magnet glued too it. Yeah, those types of magnets should work. Not sure on strength but it is done enough that there should be people who know the strength of magnets required. Otherwise try searching for DIY magnetic powerhead mounts. The same principles that were used on those should work on a magnetic frag mount.

07/18/2012, 08:18 PM	#7
NewBostonConst Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mi Posts: 94	I did this a couple years ago in a twenty gallon I had. I ran out of room so I started sticking frags on the back wall while i was getting ready for my 135.

07/18/2012, 11:19 PM	#8
divewsharks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,905	I seen people get those types of magnets, coat them in silicone and then use them, preventative measure in case any of the metals begin to corrode over time due to exposure to saltwater. or you can just buy coated magnets, like the replacements for frag racks and such. If you give the coral increased surface area, like with epoxy and superglue and support it while the epoxy cures it should also work.

07/19/2012, 06:44 AM	#9
Digitalelectric Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 422	Awesome, thanks for the pics and replies. Will check those out!

07/19/2012, 07:57 AM	#10
NewBostonConst Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mi Posts: 94	Just a note. The magnets were neodymium magnets off ebay. At first I was attaching the the frags right to the magnet itself. Some of them came apart and the frag would still encrust it, so I really don't think the magnet parts are as bad for your tank as everyone freaks out about, otherwise it would have killed the frag and the frag wouldn't have encrusted on it.

07/19/2012, 11:30 AM	#13
Digitalelectric Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 422	The ones on the website that I posted are Nickel. It said Ni-Cu-Ni so theres copper in there somewhere, which as you know/should know is lethal in reefs. I figure if I coat it then it should be fine.