Flipper cleaner making corals close??

[Albz]

Okay so heres my situation. My tank parameters are fine and all but everytime i use my flipper cleaner my tank has like a few hour period were eveeytbing closes up ... even the zoas and shrooms shrink
... i did this two times now and both times this happened... after the first time it happen i soaked the flipper wit vinager... is up with this...

 

[Rakie]

Even if it was rusted through and through, it's unlikely that a short exposure in the tank would cause them to suffer. so high odds the movement of using it is disturbing the water and causing them to close.

Do you happen to have low flow? It could also be sound and vibration. When I first turn on the sound system all my animals close up, SPS even retract polyps.

The only way there could be a contaminant on the flipper and it not kill the corals after you're done, is if you are aggressively using Carbon. So when you take it out and they open, that means it's the vibration/sound vibration/flow disturbance freaking them out. They can't see, so when their whole world suddenly changes like that it gives 'em something to worry about.

 

[Evan West]

Yeah +1 to @Rakie likely just the movement upsetting them.

 

[jd371]

The corals near the flipper close up because of the movement. But I also think that some of them close because they are feeding on the algae you just scraped off the glass.

 

[Jeepguy242]

i just noticed last night that my flipper blade has rust on it.... its only 2 weeks old...

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I have yet to see a magnetic cleaner that doesn't bounce or jerk the inside portion when moving across the glass surface. This pulsing action triggers the defensive mechanism in nearby corals, causing them to suck in. This can be minimized by moving the scraper much more slowly so it does not jerk across the glass. Another option for cleaning the glass that will not irritate the corals is a stainless scraper wand like this.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X41Y6VG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this more often than mt mag float scraper because it easily removed coraline and algae off the glass typically in one easy swipe and the corals are none the wiser to it. The only thing to note is you want to go slow especially near the corners as it does have a razor blade attached and will easily slice into the silicone.

i just noticed last night that my flipper blade has rust on it.... its only 2 weeks old...

It's best to remove anything with metal from the tank once you're done cleaning with it. Even stainless steel, especially low quality will rust if left in salt water.

 

[ectoaesthetics]

Honestly the best glass cleaner I have found is simply a plastic credit card! Great at removing everything, won't rust, super cheap to replace etc. I actually just ask any store for a new rewards card when I need a new one... "Are you a member with us?..." ..."Nope." ...and I have a new tank cleaner. It is even better when you get a large card and two mini keychain cards. I use to use them on the bowed corners of my nano.

They are free and REALLY cannot be beat in scraping power. I think I have had my last one for over 4 years.