Cleaning the sides of the tank down low

[jsker]

I am starting to see the build up of algae down the the sand. I have two mag floats and my sub-straight is about an inch thick is some places and enough for cover the glass on the bottom of the tank in other places. I have coarse black sand and do not want to scratch the glass. I would appreciate suggestions how to clean the algae off by the sub-straight please

 

[Clownman727]

Reach in and scrape by hand. Or get a Tunze care magnet algea cleaner. You can use those on the sand bed. If you use the Mag Float on the sand bed IT WILL SCRATCH YOUR GLASS!!!

 

[jdpeters]

old credit cards, gifts card etc. I love using them, they work amazingly. You can have minimal substrate disturbance with them as well. This is also why its so important as suggested by alot of hobbyist to keep rock work and such away from the glass to leave room to maintenance your tank.

 

[redfishbluefish]

It's no longer sold, but the Reef Gadget was the best couple bucks I ever spent.




Here is my actual Reef Gadget glued to the MAG float:

If Oprah had a reef tank, this would definitely be one of her favorite things. Simply made of acrylic and a razor scraper, with the acrylic glued to your MAG float. Although no longer made, I beleive there are similar products available. What's great is that you can jam it into the sand and still not get sand under the MAG float. Does a great job.


Worst case, just pick up a razor scraper.

 

[d2mini]

Tunze Care Magnet cleaner.
All you need.
Throw out all other magnets.

 

[FishAddict87]

I use a Kent scraper and it works extremely well. I use a magnet for the rest of my tank too.

 

[jsker]

Thank you all for your responses. Has anyone tried the Magfloat large with the scraper. I have a largr Magfloat and was thing of ordering the scraper attachment

 

[d2mini]

magfloat is probably the worst mag cleaner available.
It's only redeeming feature is that it holds the patent on the floating technology that other magnets have to license from them.
But they are by far the weakest for their size.

If you don't want to get the Tunze because you absolutely need something that floats, look at The Flipper.

 

[apcoleman]

I have the flipper. It works well and I am very happy with it.

 

[kschweer]

Just be careful with any magnetic cleaner near your black substrate. Many of the black sands out there have some particles that are magnetic and will attach to the magnet much easier than white sand. I would second the old credit/gift card. They work really well.

 

[d2mini]

Just be careful with any magnetic cleaner near your black substrate. Many of the black sands out there have some particles that are magnetic and will attach to the magnet much easier than white sand. I would second the old credit/gift card. They work really well.

That's why I like the Tunze Care.
There is no where for sand to get stuck between it and the glass.
I won't use anything else on my display tanks now.

 

[kschweer]

Agreed it's a very nice mag cleaner. Just be careful using it on acrylic tanks I have seen them scratch acrylic pretty badly. For a glass tank it works very well

 

[jsker]

magfloat is probably the worst mag cleaner available.
It's only redeeming feature is that it holds the patent on the floating technology that other magnets have to license from them.
But they are by far the weakest for their size.

If you don't want to get the Tunze because you absolutely need something that floats, look at The Flipper.

I have the flipper. It works well and I am very happy with it.

Thank you guys I will look at that one

 

[jsker]

Just be careful with any magnetic cleaner near your black substrate. Many of the black sands out there have some particles that are magnetic and will attach to the magnet much easier than white sand. I would second the old credit/gift card. They work really well.

Agreed it's a very nice mag cleaner. Just be careful using it on acrylic tanks I have seen them scratch acrylic pretty badly. For a glass tank it works very well

I have glass, Did not know on the black sand

 

[jsker]

One more question. on the Tunze Care Long, Nano, Strong?

 

[jsker]

Update, with the nano Tunze to try it out.

 

[d2mini]

I have the nano on my 10g Fusion.
The Long I use on my 40b and my mangrove tank with 3/8" glass.
For the 1/2" thick glass on my display tank, i prefer the Strong.
The long and the strong are the same dimensions, just different strength magnets.

 

[jsker]

I might order the Long for the future, right now the nano and the mag floats are getting the job done.