Flipper blades scratching glass?

Martingale · Feb 9, 2020

Anyone have this happen to them?

I've exclusively used the flipper blade side for months now and I've noticed faint scratches on the glass. I don't have black sand, and I've never noticed any magnetic particles with my sand. I also do not seem to have any encrusting worms or such on the blade, and it seems in fine shape with no jags or deformations. I've never actually used the padded side.

I mostly scrap film so I'm thinking of moving to plastic scrapers and away from blades entirely, any good recommendations there?

W1ngz · Feb 9, 2020

Can't say I've had it happen with a flipper, since I don't use one. I went with the Tunze Care when I was looking for a scraper. It has an optional metal blade that I use carefully now and then, but typically I just use the plastic.

samnaz · Feb 9, 2020

Yes. Scratched the front pane of glass really bad one of the first times I used it, not sure how or why it happened, maybe user error... didn’t bother figuring it out, Magfloat does an ok enough job.

Martingale · Feb 9, 2020

W1ngz said:
Can't say I've had it happen with a flipper, since I don't use one. I went with the Tunze Care when I was looking for a scraper. It has an optional metal blade that I use carefully now and then, but typically I just use the plastic.

I assume the plastic handles scraping fine other than coralline and such?

samnaz said:
Yes. Scratched the front pane of glass really bad one of the first times I used it, not sure how or why it happened, maybe user error... didn’t bother figuring it out, Magfloat does an ok enough job.

I have a magfloat with the scraper but the pad being between the glass always worried me. When I setup this last tank I switched and use the mag float on a FW, but admittedly my mag float now also has a better track record.

Peach02 · Feb 9, 2020

I use a flipper and havnt had it scratch the glass however I try to only move in straight lines and don’t leave it in the tank.

Jeeperz · Feb 9, 2020

Been using a flipper for years, never noticed any scratches in my glass. Are you sure they are on the inside? If you catch sand or those worm shells on the glass, it will scratch. That's why I don't use the pad side.

W1ngz · Feb 10, 2020

Martingale said:
I assume the plastic handles scraping fine other than coralline and such?

It does pretty good on coraline too. The metal is just quicker with the smaller brown spots.

Peach02 · Feb 10, 2020

For coraline I found the plastic blade just needed more time, the only thing it can’t do that the razor can is clean the first few mm of glass touching sand

Martingale · Feb 10, 2020

Jeeperz said:
Been using a flipper for years, never noticed any scratches in my glass. Are you sure they are on the inside? If you catch sand or those worm shells on the glass, it will scratch. That's why I don't use the pad side.

Never used the pad side. I really can't see any way the scratches came to be other than by using the bladed side, as it's all I've used on this tank. I bought the flipper thinking it was probably safer than the other designs.

Peach02 said:
For coraline I found the plastic blade just needed more time, the only thing it can’t do that the razor can is clean the first few mm of glass touching sand

This is with the tunze or flipper max? I've been using the flipper nano and I don't think there seems to be plastic blades for the nano.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 10, 2020

I have but was due to sand getting trapped in cleaner.

Waters · Feb 10, 2020

Yes......when I first bought this I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Recently I noticed algae growing on the front glass in small fine lines. After looking closer, the flipper is leaving small scratches everywhere. I assume it is when using the blade side. I will not be using (or recommending) that thing anymore. BTW, I do not have sand.....I run a bare bottom.

mfinn · Feb 10, 2020

I just saw a long scratch on the front of my new tank and I've only used the flipper in it.
I am usually pretty careful about keeping the inside part clean so I don't think I got sand in it.

MichaelReefer · Feb 10, 2020

Martingale said:
Anyone have this happen to them?

I've exclusively used the flipper blade side for months now and I've noticed faint scratches on the glass. I don't have black sand, and I've never noticed any magnetic particles with my sand. I also do not seem to have any encrusting worms or such on the blade, and it seems in fine shape with no jags or deformations. I've never actually used the padded side.

I mostly scrap film so I'm thinking of moving to plastic scrapers and away from blades entirely, any good recommendations there?

Never experienced one scratch on my RS Reefer. Love my flipper.

ZoWhat · Feb 10, 2020

Yes... I flat blade edge is highly unlikely to "dig into" glass causing a scratch.

IMO some kind of foreign substance got in between the blade and the glass. A grain of sand? Something that has texture that would dig. A flat blade would not

Dont take this the wrong way. If a blade is cutting scratches into your glass... I question the "hardness" of the glass used to Mfgr your tank. I.e. lower quality of glass

mfinn · Feb 10, 2020

skimjim said:
Yes... I flat blade edge is highly unlikely to "dig into" glass causing a scratch.

A flat blade would not

You wouldn't think so, but as I look in my tank, new tank, there is a scratch.
I use my flipper and pull it out each time.
Before I put it in I check it to make sure there is nothing on either pad.
Also when using the blade side, only the 2 ( nylon ) bumps on the rear of the flipper and blade are in contact with the glass.

ZoWhat · Feb 10, 2020

mfinn said:
You wouldn't think so, but as I look in my tank, new tank, there is a scratch.
I use my flipper and pull it out each time.
Before I put it in I check it to make sure there is nothing on either pad.
Also when using the blade side, only the 2 ( nylon ) bumps on the rear of the flipper and blade are in contact with the glass.

Dont take this the wrong way. If a blade is cutting scratches into your glass... I question the "hardness" of the glass used to Mfgr your tank. I.e. lower quality of glass

mfinn · Feb 10, 2020

skimjim said:
Dont take this the wrong way. If a blade is cutting scratches into your glass... I question the "hardness" of the glass used to Mfgr your tank. I.e. lower quality of glass

Star fire glass

Waters · Feb 10, 2020

I don't think it is when the blade is in use....I think it is when the flipper is being flipped. I agree that it shouldn't be scratching the glass but it is. I never saw any scratches until I started using it. I have used multiple other magnets over the years with 0 scratches.

Ernie C · Feb 20, 2020

I also just got a new tank and got the flipper max and have also ended up with hairline scratches and i've only used the blade side. I also do not have any sand. I'm scared to use this new flipper now. Any suggestions on what would be better to use?

Tuan’s Reef · Feb 20, 2020

I have the flipper nano and it’s been mostly good but I have caught a couple of small scratches from it.

just got a bigger tank and will not be going with the flipper. What are the other choices that can handle coraline really well but not scratch?