DIY Magnetic Frag Rack

bumpyj38

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 28, 2021
Messages
115
Reaction score
90
Location
Fort Pierce
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would like to make my own frag rack. I have done many DIY projects myself however, I am pretty paranoid about magnets rusting in my tank. I am writing this post to see if anyone has any advice and actual experience of the proper way to seal magnets so they do not rust and leach into the tank.

I have heard people say they seal it multiple times to be safe. My question is, seal it with what? Marine epoxy? Which epoxy is reef safe in itself? Also, what kind of magnets?
 

ShakeyGizzard

Southern Dude
View Badges
Joined
Sep 18, 2023
Messages
7,509
Reaction score
29,672
Location
West Central Georgia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would like to make my own frag rack. I have done many DIY projects myself however, I am pretty paranoid about magnets rusting in my tank. I am writing this post to see if anyone has any advice and actual experience of the proper way to seal magnets so they do not rust and leach into the tank.

I have heard people say they seal it multiple times to be safe. My question is, seal it with what? Marine epoxy? Which epoxy is reef safe in itself? Also, what kind of magnets?
not saying this is the best way, but its what i did when i made a DIY feeder receptacle for my son in-law to drop food into below the lid opening. sorry no pics, but i made two 1x3 pieces of 1/4 inch acrylic, I used my trim router to cut a recessed area in one. I put a thin layer of 100% silicone on the bottom of it, added the magnets, then filled it the rest of the way with the silicone. The magnets stayed on the bottom and allowed the silicone to cure completely. then seal the top piece with weld on 4. this way the magnets are encased in silicone and cannot come into contact with the water
 

mfinn

likes zoanthids
View Badges
Joined
Jul 22, 2006
Messages
13,456
Reaction score
10,001
Location
Olympia, WA.
Rating - 100%
19   0   0
I made frag rack a couple decades ago using neodymium magnets, black eggcrate and casting resin.
I use door pull re-useable pouring molds to encase the magnet in casting resin.
Even after more than 20 years of the few I have left none has broken the seal and started rusting/corroding.
The biggest fail point was where the black eggcrate attached to the magnets.
I've seem many different plastic and acrylic encased magnets lose the seal and start rusting.
I recently bought some corner frag racks from a reefer here that used acrylic enclosures.
I'll be keeping a eye on them in the future.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT AMOUNT OF LIVE ROCK AND SAND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR OPTIMAL BIODIVERSITY/FILTRATION?

  • 100% live rock + bagged sand

    Votes: 38 27.3%
  • 100% dry rock + 100% live sand

    Votes: 47 33.8%
  • 50/50 live/dry rock, 50/50 live/bagged sand

    Votes: 30 21.6%
  • 75% live rock, 25% live sand

    Votes: 14 10.1%
  • 25% live rock, 75% live sand

    Votes: 10 7.2%
Back
Top