What are your thoughts on my DIY magnet idea?

H

Herper

New member
Backstory: I live in an apartment and need to keep my tank smaller than I'd like. I plan on moving in the near future (maybe within a year) to a house. So I do not want a super permanent situation going on for the time being. Epoxying the coral to the rock or arranging things in a manner that would result in a hassle to dismantle when I move is what I'm trying to prevent here.

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on magnets. [neodymium magnets to be specific] https://www.google.com/search?q=neodymium+magnet&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiu2tKj4oTNAhXHJh4KHbEOBXsQ_AUICSgD&biw=1010&bih=662 These are obviously not meant to be submerged, but my thought is to coat them in the epoxy stick to waterproof it.

the plan would be epoxy one magnet to the coral frag and another (so they attract) onto various locations on my live rock. so I could move the corals/attach the coral with ease and without permanently modifying the rock and stuff. The reason I chose this type of magnet is because they are exceptionally strong for their size.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I am currently running a control case to see if the magnet in the epoxy stick will corrode or anything. it's been in the warm saltwater (not my actual tank) for about 4 days so far. All signs point to it being ok.
 
Oh dude. It is amazing. I love the design, the colors and specially the.... wait...
What is your idea? :confused:
 
What's the deal with so many new threads being opened and then there is no post? Seems like in the last 3 to 4 weeks it's been happening a lot here.
 
the idea is to mount strong magnets to a stable base (live rock) and to the frags themselves. to make it easy to move and adjust the locations of coral until you find it's happy spot.
 
I agree with Ron. A lot of these threads lately with nothing in them. The mods probably know what's going on.
 
We see it now. it is just that you didn't post anything when you started the thread. As far as your idea goes, be very careful to fully encase your magnet in a reef safe epoxy or use ceramic magnets. You don't want the magnet to rust in your tank. Things will go south very fast.

By the way, and I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but this is not a brand new idea and there are many items for sale out there that look and sound exactly like what you describe. Maybe it will be easier, safer and cheaper to just buy one ready made by a reputable company.

Do a quick Google search for Aqua-Mags. I think this is what you are looking for.
 
Herper said:
are you unable to see my comments?
Click to expand...
Backstory: I live in an apartment and need to keep my tank smaller than I'd like. I plan on moving in the near future (maybe within a year) to a house. So I do not want a super permanent situation going on for the time being. Epoxying the coral to the rock or arranging things in a manner that would result in a hassle to dismantle when I move is what I'm trying to prevent here.

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on magnets. [neodymium magnets to be specific] https://www.google.com/search?q=neod...w=1010&bih=662 These are obviously not meant to be submerged, but my thought is to coat them in the epoxy stick to waterproof it.

the plan would be epoxy one magnet to the coral frag and another (so they attract) onto various locations on my live rock. so I could move the corals/attach the coral with ease and without permanently modifying the rock and stuff. The reason I chose this type of magnet is because they are exceptionally strong for their size.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I am currently running a control case to see if the magnet in the epoxy stick will corrode or anything. it's been in the warm saltwater (not my actual tank) for about 4 days so far. All signs point to it being ok.
 
Webmanny said:
We see it now. it is just that you didn't post anything when you started the thread. As far as your idea goes, be very careful to fully encase your magnet in a reef safe epoxy or use ceramic magnets. You don't want the magnet to rust in your tank. Things will go south very fast.

By the way, and I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but this is not a brand new idea and there are many items for sale out there that look and sound exactly like what you describe. Maybe it will be easier, safer and cheaper to just buy one ready made by a reputable company.

Do a quick Google search for Aqua-Mags. I think this is what you are looking for.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I will look into those. I did post in the initial thread, I copied it above. Maybe with new forum people it hides the post??
 
Looks like Aqua Mags are for attaching your frags magnetically to the glass. I think the OP wants to put magnets in his live rock so he can move a frag (with a magnet attached) from magnet to magnet in the live rock. Kind of like a live rock peg board for frags. Clever idea, interested to see if it turns out to be at all practicle.
 
There's actually a more simple and similar idea that has been around for a while called pegging, basically attaching small tubing or small diameter rods to a frag/plug and having holes drilled in rock.
Only thing is many coral encrust onto rock anyway, not a bad idea but probably not practical for most
 
Thank you, that is exactly what I was thinking. My experiment one in a saltwater tank that is heated has been in there a week and looks good. it is currently held in place by another magnet in epoxy through the glass.

I will keep you updated if it works out well.
 
I made my own magnet cleaner but they don't float, Outside is 2"x2"x1" block i bought from ebay and inside is 1/2" x 1" x1" and i have sealed it in ABS box that I made out of ABS sheets, I have glued pad on the magnet that goes on the inside and outside has just soft velcro glue and it is it just bare naked, No matter how fast i move them they are held together, takes some force to move them on glass, total cost was under 40 bucks but strength is much stronger than the ones fosale for 90-100 bucks,
 
This is weird. Now we can see your full original post. There must be some kind of new rule that does not display anything until you reach a specific limit. Regardless, I'm addicted to making things with magnets for my tank myself and I have learned a lot in the past few years. I have made a float switch holder, dosing lines holder and a probe holder. All encased in reef safe epoxy.

As far as magnets go, I always use N52 magnets and I like to stay above 10mm think. You can use the link below to identify the pull force of different sizes and that should give you an idea of what you need.

https://www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=168
 
I got mine from the same place - plastic coated, 3/4 x 3/8. I use them to mount corals to the back glass.
 
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