algae magnets

[Invigor]

magfloat or rare-earth?

[G1GY]

I use magfloat with great results! :biggrin:

[megatron_55]

They're all the same except name brands and size :silly: I use mag float tho' . . . most pet stores carry this brand over the other

[IslandReefer]

Magfloat max about $30
Rare Earth upto $180.....for me it was a nobrainer....and the magfloat work fine for soft algeas. I use a scraper for coraline
I think if you have glass thicker than the 5/8 limit of the magfloat only then shell out the extra cash....I hear it takes both hands to move a good size rare-earth mag :eek:
I don't think that even the rare earth could scrape coraline ,for long.
Oceansmotions make a scrapper out of a magfloat, as an added bonus :mrgreen:
My 2 cents
Cheers

[StirCrazy]

Magfloat will scrape coraline with a few passes. I wouldn't waist the money of a expensive one.

Steve

[danny zubot]

I glued a green scrubbing pad (cleaned of course) on to the inner side of my Magfloat to give it more "scrub"

[Invigor]

cool, thanks for the advice..the coraline is getting outta control

[Willow]

magfloat

[AJ_77]

cool, thanks for the advice..the coraline is getting outta control
razor for the hard algae, otherwise magfloat seems to handle the film stuff.

[Invigor]

cool, thanks for the advice..the coraline is getting outta control
razor for the hard algae, otherwise magfloat seems to handle the film stuff.

I do use a razor but becasue of the bracing on my tank it's hard to reach the back and sides of the tank

[danny zubot]

I just let the coraline grow on the back of mine. I think it looks more natural than the store bought backing variety.

[Bob I]

cool, thanks for the advice..the coraline is getting outta control
razor for the hard algae, otherwise magfloat seems to handle the film stuff.

I do use a razor but becasue of the bracing on my tank it's hard to reach the back and sides of the tank

I don't look throught the back, or sides of my tanks, so I never clean those surfaces :rolleyes:

[sumpfinfishe]

I use a rare earth and will never go back to the cheaper ones.
Mine cost about $60 but it has replaceable felt and cleaning pads, not to mention this magnet kicks butt on strenght. It holds to the glass like no other and is great for going around corners. It's so strong that you can put it on either side of one hand and it will stick to the front and back of your hand-watch the fingers though! With this strenght I only need to make one pass on the glass to see crstal clear.

[EmilyB]

Ditto Rich, rare earth forever more ! The extended reach model is a nice new feature. :biggrin:

[Bob I]

I have a number of Mag Floats, and one of the larger one does a good job in my 20H, but for real cleaning on my larger tank I use a Magnavore. It cost around $80.00, but that thing is seriously powerful. :eek:

[j83]

Rare Earth! Wouldn't use any other.

[Jim Barry]

I have both the rare earth and mag float....... I would spend the extra money on a rare earth any day!!

[StirCrazy]

now is some brand of cleaner using rare earth for there name? this would be weird as both mag float and several other brands use "rare earth" magnets inside them. Rare earth is a physical type of magnet that is stronger than a iron based magnet.

here is a bit about them for Those that are interested.
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=1&p=40077&cat=3,42363

Steve

[digital canuck]

I was using the largest size of Mag Float on my 75gal and recently replaced it with a Rare Earth. I was using a Rare Earth on my 180 and it cleans excellently. I have two of the Hammerheads.

Rick

[EmilyB]

For me, rare earth = MAGNAVORE..... :razz: :lol: not just the sliver they drop in the mag float... :lol:

[muck]

Speaking of Mag-floats...
If you mag-float seems to chatter a bit along the glass is it underpowered? :confused:

[Bob I]

Steve and Deb are both right. Both the Mag float and the Magnavore use rare earth magnets. I think, however, as Deb says, the Mag Floats and some other glass cleaners use much smaller magnets. Therefore, the question it is not whether you like Mag float, or rare earth cleaners, but which rare earth type do you prefer.


That is the way I see it anyway. :mrgreen:

[ruck'n'reefer]

Has anyone compared similar Magnavore and tigershark/ hammerhead floatmags?

[SuperFudge]

Heres an interesting one,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/Casshew/waterpix/397_om_scraper.jpg

[AJ_77]

Speaking of Mag-floats...
If you mag-float seems to chatter a bit along the glass is it underpowered? :confused:
I think it has been recommended to go up a size with those if possible.

[PrairieReefer]

I use a Magnavore 6 (rated for up to 3/4 inch glass I believe), on a 75g with 1/2 inch glass (completly open top, no bracing or euro bracing, a very nice tank). I would never go back to anything else. I even use it on my tanks with 1/4 inch glass. It is a little harder to move, but nothing sticks to the glass after a pass with it.

Also, cleaning the exterior of the glass with Coralife aquarium glass cleaner and polish alows the magnet to move a lot easier. I don't know what is in that stuff but it almost seems like a teflon product or something. Makes the glass real slippery and dirt, salt and fingerprints don't stick as easily. (I am fanatical about keeping viewing surfaces spotless - this includes my glasses, windshields, and my aquarium front panes).

[Invigor]

just ordered me a "Algae Free Hammerhead Float", woot.

thanks for your replies everyone!