dumb newbie question

sparsons

sparsons

New Member
I know this is probably a dumb question - but I just started my first tank a few days ago. I bought a magnetic algae scrapper, and I was going to use it last night, but it looks like a rough plastic velcro material and I'm afraid it will scratch my tank. By the way I have a glass tank. Is this plastic velcro fine to use on the glass? thanks.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

WELCOME to the site!
There are no dumb newbie questions. I use that mag float all the time on my glass tank, as long as you don't get sand between it like Meowzer said, it works great. If it does pick up sand lift up on the magnet and the sand will drop out of it, if your quick enough you can catch it back before it floats away and you have to chase it.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
I don't use em anymore. They will eventually put micro scratches all over your glass in the long run, IMO. It's almost impossible to keep em completely free of sand or any other particles that might get stuck on the surface of your glass. Snails and such will carry it on their bodys and it will stick to the glass. You may not even see it untill it's too late and then all of a sudden you're sitting there admiring your aquarium one day and you'll say..."damn...where did all them little scratches come from"?
 
andrewjardin

andrewjardin

Member
2Quills kinda makes a point. But not really IMHO, because you only notice those TINY scratches when you sit and stare at your glass for an hour. Honestly, I dought you will be staring at your glass when there is a whole other world to look at behind it. Trust me, my tank is covered in big scratches from sand, and I hardly notice them. No worries man :)
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by 2Quills
http:///forum/post/3277357
Again, it's just my opinion.
LOL...which we are all allowed to have

My 54G is acrylic....and you REALLY have to be careful with that!!!! I have an acrylic mag float...BUT STILL.....IDC if it's plastic or glass.......they will both scratch.....I have not gotten any scratches in my glass tanks though with the mag floats......again....just be wary of sand
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3277358
LOL...which we are all allowed to have

My 54G is acrylic....and you REALLY have to be careful with that!!!! I have an acrylic mag float...BUT STILL.....IDC if it's plastic or glass.......they will both scratch.....I have not gotten any scratches in my glass tanks though with the mag floats......again....just be wary of sand
Very true...both will end up with scratches inevitably anyways...it's vitrually unavoidable. I just try to avoid having big scratches so up as much as possible. As long as you're carefull with it and don't scoop up any sand when you are close to the bottom and try cleaning it before you use it like Flower suggested...then I'm sure you will have many years of enjoyment with your aquarium before you start hardly noticing those bigger ones that show up like andrewjardin touched upon.
 
sparsons

sparsons

New Member
Thanks a lot for the answers! As a side question do you leave it in the tank 24/7 or put it in each time you use it? And how often should I do it -- daily, weekly ??
 
kylev

kylev

Member
The only reason I wouldnt live it in the tank 24/7 is if you have people living with you or coming around that might be tempted to grab it and start running it across your tank because they might not be as careful with sand particles in the float
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Kylev
http:///forum/post/3277515
The only reason I wouldnt live it in the tank 24/7 is if you have people living with you or coming around that might be tempted to grab it and start running it across your tank because they might not be as careful with sand particles in the float

The only person who ever bothered my mag float was my 1 yr old grandson, he would grab it and put it in his mouth, thus leaving the other side in the tank floating hopelessly out of my reach and I had to climb a step stool to retrieve it.
He is 4 now, and still I call him my fish tank terror. He also dismantled a brand new skimmer while it hung on the tank and he would try to feed the tank hot dogs.…Word of advice. Do not leave any little children alone with a fish tank.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3277540

The only person who ever bothered my mag float was my 1 yr old grandson, he would grab it and put it in his mouth, thus leaving the other side in the tank floating hopelessly out of my reach and I had to climb a step stool to retrieve it.
He is 4 now, and still I call him my fish tank terror. He also dismantled a brand new skimmer while it hung on the tank and he would try to feed the tank hot dogs.…Word of advice. Do not leave any little children alone with a fish tank.
LOL...My 3 year old grand daughter touched the mag float ONCE!!!!! I can guarantee you none of them will touch anything having to do with my fish tanks again HAHAHAHA
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3277339

WELCOME to the site!
There are no dumb newbie questions.
....
.
I respectifully disagree. The are actually dumb questions newbie or otherwise.
The ones not asked.

Always feel free to ask any question you want. That makes it not dumb.
my .02
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I agree with what everyone has said about scratches, but with a glass tank you have to really go at it to put some serious scratches that you'd notice. I've had tanks done with Starphire(LowE) glass which is actually softer than standard float glass and no scratching. I prefer to use a clean razor blade during maintenance. Cuts through anything, but you have to be careful around your silicone seams.
 
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