What is the best/safest acrylic magnetic algae cleaner?

DarkXerox · 07/07/2006, 12:42 AM

Well as the title says, what is the best/safest acrylic magnetic algae cleaner? I'm looking for one that is strong, but not so strong that I can't move it on my 29G acrylic, and also does not scratch. I keep hearing that mag-floats are trash but if anyone knows what to buy, let me know! I also have rounded edges on the corners so one that is maneuverable would be great.

Blu50Stang · 07/07/2006, 01:29 AM

I like my Magnavore 2ER; it's so smooth, works well and is easy to move(on a 90). My gf has a mag-float on her 50 and I hate it; it's jerky, doesn't clean well and it's noisy too. Her uncle's got an Algae Free on his 375, and that bad boy requires 2 hands to move, but it works.

DarkXerox · 07/08/2006, 05:55 PM

I might try the 2ER one since it said it is ok for a 1/4 inch acrylic tank.

What about the algae free piranha though? I hear that it floats, unlike the magnavore. I'm really worried about scratches if the magnet falls into the sand.

Tremelle · 07/09/2006, 12:23 AM

I always wash the magnet that is in the tank in the sink under the spray to make sure any particle is removed before I use it. My last tank got scratched by sand getting under the magnet. I also do not use the magnet no closer than 2" of the sand bed. I clean those 2" with the hand scraper.

Blu50Stang · 07/09/2006, 01:27 AM

The Magnavore doesn't float, but I've never had a problem with it losing its hold. If it does, it falls really slowly, and it's got a reach of atleast 5" (and this is in my 90 with about 2200gph of flow). As for the matter of the magnet falling into the sand, I think it's a good idea to remove and clean before using if it should fall.

DarkXerox · 07/09/2006, 08:34 PM

Ok so should I go with the magnavore or the algae free then? I'm leaning towards the magnavore.

bureau13 · 07/09/2006, 08:40 PM

I would go with the Algae Free simply because it floats...is there some advantage to the Magnavore to make up the difference?

jds

IsaaX · 07/09/2006, 08:44 PM

I've always had bad luck with magnet type cleaners with acrylic even if I rinsed them out first before using. I'd end up with scratches one way or the other. I ended up using THIS with THIS which is a buttload faster than scooting a magnet on the glass. Use the scraper for the calcirous stuff then use the mop for everything else. Much bigger surface area I don't even get my hands wet. I just rinse the mop afterwards while it's still mounted on the pole then disconnect it and put it away.

LBCBJ · 07/09/2006, 09:06 PM

Exactly what I use IsaaX, works like a charm...much better than magnets.

bureau13 · 07/10/2006, 08:32 PM

Yeah, I have one of those too...I generally use it for the back, since I can't get the magnet back there...but I disagree that it does a better job on the film-type algae that crops up. With the blade, it does scrape the coralline a bit better, but I find it awkward to use.

jds

IsaaX · 07/10/2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bureau13
Yeah, I have one of those too...I generally use it for the back, since I can't get the magnet back there...but I disagree that it does a better job on the film-type algae that crops up. With the blade, it does scrape the coralline a bit better, but I find it awkward to use.

jds

How does the mop not do a better job on the film algae? I can understand if the scraper were used for that, but that mop wipes the film off in one big swipe. Not debating at all, i'm just curious as to why the magnet would be better/faster than the aqua mop.

bureau13 · 07/11/2006, 11:52 AM

Its just much easier to get everywhere with the magnet, with the exception of the back, and I have trouble applying the appropriate leverage on the long mop handle, or getting it to run evenly along edges, which the magnet does very easily.

This may be an issue with my tank more than others...its a 36" tall bowfront acrylic, with two fairly large cutouts on the top...not sure if you can picture it, but the long mop handle is extremely unwieldy, whereas the magnet cleaner makes relatively short work of it. It has to be a strong magnet though (hence the Tiger Shark I ended up buying) because the sides are 3/4" thick.

jds

IsaaX · 07/11/2006, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bureau13
Its just much easier to get everywhere with the magnet, with the exception of the back, and I have trouble applying the appropriate leverage on the long mop handle, or getting it to run evenly along edges, which the magnet does very easily.

This may be an issue with my tank more than others...its a 36" tall bowfront acrylic, with two fairly large cutouts on the top...not sure if you can picture it, but the long mop handle is extremely unwieldy, whereas the magnet cleaner makes relatively short work of it. It has to be a strong magnet though (hence the Tiger Shark I ended up buying) because the sides are 3/4" thick.

jds

Ahh! ok that explains it. Yeah I could imagine it being difficult for a bowfront. That would make my hands ache a little. Heh made me wonder what made the mop so difficult for you. On flat surfaces it's definately easier.
Thanks for the explanation!

07/07/2006, 12:42 AM	#1
DarkXerox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 1,299	What is the best/safest acrylic magnetic algae cleaner? Well as the title says, what is the best/safest acrylic magnetic algae cleaner? I'm looking for one that is strong, but not so strong that I can't move it on my 29G acrylic, and also does not scratch. I keep hearing that mag-floats are trash but if anyone knows what to buy, let me know! I also have rounded edges on the corners so one that is maneuverable would be great.

07/07/2006, 01:29 AM	#2
Blu50Stang Nobody Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 511	I like my Magnavore 2ER; it's so smooth, works well and is easy to move(on a 90). My gf has a mag-float on her 50 and I hate it; it's jerky, doesn't clean well and it's noisy too. Her uncle's got an Algae Free on his 375, and that bad boy requires 2 hands to move, but it works. __________________ -Ross

07/09/2006, 01:27 AM	#5
Blu50Stang Nobody Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 511	The Magnavore doesn't float, but I've never had a problem with it losing its hold. If it does, it falls really slowly, and it's got a reach of atleast 5" (and this is in my 90 with about 2200gph of flow). As for the matter of the magnet falling into the sand, I think it's a good idea to remove and clean before using if it should fall. __________________ -Ross

07/09/2006, 09:06 PM	#9
LBCBJ Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 1,332	Exactly what I use IsaaX, works like a charm...much better than magnets. __________________ Brent

07/08/2006, 05:55 PM	#3
DarkXerox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 1,299	I might try the 2ER one since it said it is ok for a 1/4 inch acrylic tank. What about the algae free piranha though? I hear that it floats, unlike the magnavore. I'm really worried about scratches if the magnet falls into the sand.

07/09/2006, 12:23 AM	#4
Tremelle Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 929	I always wash the magnet that is in the tank in the sink under the spray to make sure any particle is removed before I use it. My last tank got scratched by sand getting under the magnet. I also do not use the magnet no closer than 2" of the sand bed. I clean those 2" with the hand scraper.

07/09/2006, 08:34 PM	#6
DarkXerox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 1,299	Ok so should I go with the magnavore or the algae free then? I'm leaning towards the magnavore.

07/09/2006, 08:40 PM	#7
bureau13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,936	I would go with the Algae Free simply because it floats...is there some advantage to the Magnavore to make up the difference? jds

07/09/2006, 08:44 PM	#8
IsaaX Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cerritos, CA Posts: 870	I've always had bad luck with magnet type cleaners with acrylic even if I rinsed them out first before using. I'd end up with scratches one way or the other. I ended up using THIS with THIS which is a buttload faster than scooting a magnet on the glass. Use the scraper for the calcirous stuff then use the mop for everything else. Much bigger surface area I don't even get my hands wet. I just rinse the mop afterwards while it's still mounted on the pole then disconnect it and put it away.

07/10/2006, 08:32 PM	#10
bureau13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,936	Yeah, I have one of those too...I generally use it for the back, since I can't get the magnet back there...but I disagree that it does a better job on the film-type algae that crops up. With the blade, it does scrape the coralline a bit better, but I find it awkward to use. jds

07/11/2006, 11:52 AM	#12
bureau13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,936	Its just much easier to get everywhere with the magnet, with the exception of the back, and I have trouble applying the appropriate leverage on the long mop handle, or getting it to run evenly along edges, which the magnet does very easily. This may be an issue with my tank more than others...its a 36" tall bowfront acrylic, with two fairly large cutouts on the top...not sure if you can picture it, but the long mop handle is extremely unwieldy, whereas the magnet cleaner makes relatively short work of it. It has to be a strong magnet though (hence the Tiger Shark I ended up buying) because the sides are 3/4" thick. jds