Curious; Mag-Float Glass Scratches

[Captain Quint]

Anyone besides me against using a Mag-Float for fear and/or reality of unwanted scratches by them while capturing some grains of sand under the inner magnet? The only issue I've had on float glass, low iron or acrylic tanks have (IMO) come from Mag-Floats.

Over the years I've noticed the scratches, but never when I do it by hand as I've been scratch free for a few years not using them.

What are Y'all thoughts?

Thanks for looking.

 

[Doclight]

I have a flipper.. same thing. I also have black sand which is magnetic. I heard the same thing. DON'T DO IT , you'll scratch the glass"..

Well here's what I found.
1. I don't scrape the inch or 2 above the sand bed. I have a long handed scraper for that.
2. If you get sand in the mag, you'll know it. You can feel it and hear it. So if it happens i just shake it out.

However, its been rare to get sand in it. I think its like anything else in this hobby. Use caution and take care in what you do.

 

[Erica-Renee]

I use a mag float for everyday cleaning but stay away from the sand.. once a month i use a razor blade on the whole front to put coraline in its place.. Other wise my glass would be all purple...

 

[davocean]

4 years on low iron glass and so far not one scratch(Knocking wood, fingers crossed)
Same as others, never go down to sandbed.
Also, I do not leave in tank usually, for fear of baby snails or coraline or anything that could grow or sneak under.
I also start at sides, not front, and I turn the corner just to look at mag to make sure nothing got in there before front panel gets scrubbed.

But bottom line, go w/ gut, do what feels right to you.

 

[Waters]

I am with you...I have pretty much avoided the magnet cleaners. I just hand clean it once a week when doing my water changes using a magic eraser. Plus the mag floats never seem to get the glass totally clean unless you go back and forth over it 4-5 times.