Suction Cup Blues

[Bagelfish]

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]

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

 

[mfinn]

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

 

[GillsGoneWild]

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]

I found that answer, well at least for me.

Keeps the thermostats out of the water!

 

[corey.nolta]

I found that answer, well at least for me.

Keeps the thermostats out of the water!

Well this is genius!

 

[Flippers4pups]

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]

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

 

[Coastie Reefer]

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]

I found that answer, well at least for me.

Keeps the thermostats out of the water!

That's brilliant

 

[reefwiser]

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]

Thank you guys!

 

[Walts O]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!