Glass vs. Acrylic Algae magnets.

[drcole]

I just bought a new magnet to use on my reefer 250 because my previous one seemed too abrasive. Is it okay to use the acrylic more felt-like pad in place of the bristly one?? I assume the more abrasive would scratch acrylic and that’s the reasoning?? Sorry for the newb question.

 

[Reefnoobz90]

Usually the glass ones are like Velcro and the acrylic ones are more like felt.

Does it say it's safe on acrylic? What magnet did you get?

Here is a felt replacement pad

Algae Free Acrylic Pad Kit (Piranha & Hammerhead)

Acrylic-Safe Replacement Kit For all Hammerhead & Piranha cleaners Each kit includes: (1) Adhesive-backed natural felt pad for protection on outer surfaces of acrylic tanks (3) 9″ x 5″ acrylic-safe inner scrubbing pads (makes 12 Hammerhead Float pads) (1) Self-adhesive, non-toxic medical...

clearchoiceaquatics.com

 

[vetteguy53081]

I happen to have glass and acrylic and just went through this with a new tank I set up. The acrylic (white) pad is soft but seems to remove algae easily . . . AS LONG AS YOU CATCH IT EARLY. IT IS NOT AGGRESSIVE ENOUGH TO REMOVE STAINING OR HARDENED ALGAE. I have always used metal scraper on my glass with no issues other than ….if you trap any sand on pad- the sand may scratch glass.

 

[Jettareefer223]

Is it a Red Sea reefer 250? Just get a small
Magfloat w/ blade! Less you have to worry about the pad and it’s more functional. I found this be perfect bc my
tank has starfire talk about scratching easy.... it does haha.

 

[drcole]

I happen to have glass and acrylic and just went through this with a new tank I set up. The acrylic (white) pad is soft but seems to remove algae easily . . . AS LONG AS YOU CATCH IT EARLY. IT IS NOT AGGRESSIVE ENOUGH TO REMOVE STAINING OR HARDENED ALGAE. I have always used metal scraper on my glass with no issues other than ….if you trap any sand on pad- the sand may scratch glass.

That is my issue. I plan to keep up with it well and in early stages feel like the felt is much better at algae removal than the velcro stuff (which is labeled glass). My tank is glass, but the Velcro-like leaves more streaks

 

[vetteguy53081]

Best glass magnets Ive ever owned are Tunze strong care. Cleans throroughly

 

[drcole]

Is it a Red Sea reefer 250? Just get a small
Magfloat w/ blade! Less you have to worry about the pad and it’s more functional. I found this be perfect bc my
tank has starfire talk about scratching easy.... it does haha.

That’s the one I have but tank is too new to necessitate a blade at this point.

 

[Jettareefer223]

I’ve used blades since day one for diatom like algae it works extremely well. I don’t let coralline or any more than a light film build up on the viewing panels. As long as the blade doesn’t get bent it shouldn’t scratch and no aggression motion is needed one pass all it takes for the most part. Often fine micro scratches are caused just being too aggressive with a magnet side to side (up and down), which isn’t all that hard to do with just a pad. And not checking foreign material beforehand.