Suction Cup Blues

Bagelfish · Jul 29, 2017

I assume I'm not the first to have this problem, but every time I do maintenance on my mixed reef tank, I re-stick the suction cups for the heater, intake tubes and power heads where they belong. Within 2-3 days, the little buggers have started to release their grasp on the glass. Very annoying, to say the least

Any ideas on keeping them stuck? I have tried cleaning the glass with a brush and scrubby pad, which usually gets me one extra day. Any tips my fellow phishophiles might contribute would be greatly appreciated.

Katrina71 · Jul 29, 2017

You aren't alone with this issue. I usually just replace mine.

mfinn · Jul 29, 2017

Suction cups in saltwater will always fail.
That's why most powerheads today are made with magnet mounts.

GillsGoneWild · Jul 30, 2017

I've found that suction cups can be rejuvenated by putting them in boiling water for several minutes. It seems to return them to their "factory-new" shape and they hold to the glass better.

Flippers4pups · Jul 30, 2017

I found that answer, well at least for me.

Keeps the thermostats out of the water!

corey.nolta · Jul 30, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
I found that answer, well at least for me.

Keeps the thermostats out of the water!

Well this is genius!

Flippers4pups · Jul 30, 2017

corey.nolta said:
Well this is genius!

Thank you! I too was just tired of them laying around because of the suction cups failing! If you got the room, make one. You'll be glad you did!

Clayton Jessup · Jul 31, 2017

That's a wonderful idea , for the heaters ...

Coastie Reefer · Jul 31, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
I found that answer, well at least for me.

Keeps the thermostats out of the water!

I was going to say silicon them in place but this is a most brilliant idea!

Damien Buckley · Jul 31, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
I found that answer, well at least for me.

Keeps the thermostats out of the water!

That's brilliant

reefwiser · Jul 31, 2017

The Saltwater hardens the rubber making them loose suction. The ones on my new Marineland power-filter are doing great. Don't know why.

Flippers4pups · Jul 31, 2017

Thank you guys!

Walts O · Aug 1, 2017

You can buy magnets especially made for aquarium equipment I forget the name of them I'm currently using them for my heaters work great

redfishbluefish · Aug 1, 2017

I don't rely on suction cups holding anything.....and I like some of the solutions mentioned here....brilliant!

That being said, any and all rubber parts that I have get a thin film of non-petroleum based lubricant. The best bang for the buck is Leslie's Pool Lube. This will help, but might not be a 100% fix.

klp · Aug 2, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
I found that answer, well at least for me.
Really great idea!! I would love to see it all plumbed if you have time. Maybe in a separate thread called something like overhead plumbing.

Keeps the thermostats out of the water!

klp · Aug 2, 2017

Really great idea!! I would love to see it all plumbed if you have time. Maybe in a separate thread called something like overhead plumbing.

Flippers4pups · Aug 2, 2017

klp said:
Really great idea!! I would love to see it all plumbed if you have time. Maybe in a separate thread called something like overhead plumbing.

Simple enough. I'll look into. I have to clean my heaters soon and when I do, I'll pull the hanger out and take pictures of it and explain what it takes to build one. Thanks!

Greybeard · Aug 2, 2017

Most aquarium suppliers are moving to magnetic mounts... at least on things where the price justifies the added expense. AFAIC, the more the better. I _hate_ suction cups.

On a heater? I don't even try. Just lay it in a corner of the sump. I like the titanium ones with the plastic guards around them.

Flippers4pups · Aug 2, 2017

Greybeard said:
Most aquarium suppliers are moving to magnetic mounts... at least on things where the price justifies the added expense. AFAIC, the more the better. I _hate_ suction cups.

On a heater? I don't even try. Just lay it in a corner of the sump. I like the titanium ones with the plastic guards around them.

I truly hear what your saying. My OCD or straight paranoia, maybe both, lol, made me build the hanger. With stories of heaters exploding and shorting out made me over analyze them. Water intrusion kept running through my brain! I thought that if I kept the thermostats out of the water, their seals would last longer. This of course wouldn't stop one from sticking on or off. Running lower wattage heaters and multiples to lessen the effects of one failing and cooking the tank, plus running them on my ranco for extra back up, helps me sleep better at night.

Anyway, that's what made me do it and over thinking is what my wife says I do best! Lol!