Best Algae Magnet for THICK Acrylic

[Itchy Trigger]

I use (and love) a big Mag Float (with an Easy Blade glued on) on my 75g and my 90g glass tanks, but I'm having difficulty finding a scraper that I like for my 330g acrylic tank, which has 1" thick acrylic walls. I'm using a Mighty Magnet now, but not loving it. It's not really strong enough to scrape off anything more than just a little film. The tank is currently freshwater, but I plan on going FOWLR with it eventually and I know the Mighty Magnet isn't going to do squat to coralline algae. I had an Algae Free Great White, and that thing was VERY strong, but I hated it because it didn't float. I can't count the number of times I had to reach into the tank to pull the wet side of that stupid Great White out after it fell off and sank to the bottom...

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good magnetic scraper for 1" thick acrylic?

 

[reeftivo]

Check out the algae free piranha

powerful and made really well. Floats too

Not cheap though

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Check out the algae free piranha

powerful and made really well. Floats too

Not cheap though

The Piranha isn't going to be strong enough for 1" acrylic is it?

The only option I seem to be able to find is the Mag Float 510A, which claims to be able to handle 1" thickness. I worry about scratches from the Mag Float though - their pads are so thin, and the plastic edges are sharp enough to do serious damage to acrylic... I'm reading good things about the Magnavore, but the big ones don't float, I don't think. Or do they?

 

[gpdno]

http://www.mightymagnets.com/floatingAndFlatFloating.html

Mighty Magnets - best around IMHO. Not cheap but the have sizes that work up to 3 1/2" thick.

 

[snorvich]

http://www.mightymagnets.com/floatingAndFlatFloating.html

Mighty Magnets - best around IMHO. Not cheap but the have sizes that work up to 3 1/2" thick.

That is what I use on both tanks. Also, they have special pads that I believe they call "dozers" that work great on coralline algae. Highly recommended. But as mentioned, not cheap.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Hmmm... As I mentioned, I'm using a Mighty Magnet now, and haven't found it to be too great. The one I have is the model FF4, which is supposed to be good up to 1". Perhaps I need to get the next size up. This one is just mighty weak...

 

[Itchy Trigger]

OK, looking at getting an FF-6... $289... Yowza! But if it works it'll be worth it. I guess I just should have oversized rather than undersized the first time around. Anyone looking for an FF-4? I'll be selling that one to help pay for this one!

 

[gpdno]

Hmmm... As I mentioned, I'm using a Mighty Magnet now, and haven't found it to be too great. The one I have is the model FF4, which is supposed to be good up to 1". Perhaps I need to get the next size up. This one is just mighty weak...

Just curious, what pads are you using? I have tried a number of different pads, but ended up liking the original white one the best.
As others have said, the Dozer is great for removing coraline so I'm curious if you have tried that one.
btw... when I ordered my I did intentionally "size -up" to the next larger model.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Just curious, what pads are you using? I have tried a number of different pads, but ended up liking the original white one the best.
As others have said, the Dozer is great for removing coraline so I'm curious if you have tried that one.
btw... when I ordered my I did intentionally "size -up" to the next larger model.

Just using the original white ones. The tank has been freshwater up to now, so I've never had to deal with a pad that could handle coralline. But I'll check out the dozers!

 

[Panta rhei]

Hi, did you buy the F-6 model? I have a friend with a tank similar to your and would like to know your opinion ;-)

 

[805reef]

if you havent gotten it already... try emailing mighty magnets and ask if you can trade in your ff4 to upgrade to the ff6

 

[slief]

I use the Might Magnet on my tank which is 1.5" acrylic. I also use their Algae Dozer pads/scrapers for coraline. They make a great product! Their magnet is dangerously strong and their scraper pads work great! They do wear out quickly if you have lots of coraline but if you stay on top of it, they will work wonders! I've been using the Mighty Magnet for over 4 years now and I highly recommend them!

 

[redwhiteandblue]

kent scraper with acrylic blade and mr clean magic erasers. i have the middle size magnet from bulk reef supply and my acrylic is 5/8"

 

[slief]

If you are using a mighty magnet and finding it's not strong enough, than you are absolutely 100% not using the right sized magnet for your needs.. You probably should have stepped up to the next larger size.

Also, as I mentioned in my previous post, you need their algae dozer for the coraline algae.

 

[grigsy]

+ Mighty Magnets.

Best around for thick acrylic IMO.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

I did get the F6 and a pack of algae dozers. Definitely works a lot better than the F4 did. Haven't got any coralline on the tank walls yet, so we'll see how it does when it's time. But I think I'll be happy with it. Thanks again for the info.

 

[deansreef]

pictures of before and after using the magnets would be great- thanks Dean!