DIY magnet veggie feeding clip?

captmicha

captmicha

Le tired.
Dec 6, 2006
2,052
0
36
40
Maryland, USA
I really like the idea of a magnetic veggie clip but I don't like how each one costs around $10. 10 x each of my aquariums really adds up.

So, does anyone have any ideas for a diy magnetic veggie clip? I already tried sealing a magnet in silicone but water still managed to get inside and rust it.
 
Thanks! I used neodymium magnets when I tried this before. I wonder if I could coat my own in epoxy. I wonder if that's just what these are.
 
I'm also in a similar boat. I'd love to have a cheap veggie clip. I'm wondering about using a regular chip clip that you put on your fridge. You could put the clip inside of the tank with a small magnet on the outside of the glass.
 
Wow, paid $3.50 for mine, but I just stick the veggies,spinach or whatever on a fork.
 
captmicha said:
Thanks! I used neodymium magnets when I tried this before. I wonder if I could coat my own in epoxy. I wonder if that's just what these are.
Click to expand...
description says plastic coating and product looks machine applied. doesn't look like something that could easily be replicated at home. a truck bedliner coating might afford you what you're looking for, but i fear about toxicity issues and would consider the cost of trial and error before you settle on a product.
 
I just bought several of those magnets from K & J Magnetics because Zoo Med is no longer manufacturing MagClips. :(
I asked about the plastic coating because I was going to try to glue something to them, but was told that would be difficult because the plastic coating is polypropylene, which is slick and just about no glue will glue it. Anyway, I got 2 of the smaller magnets with countersink holes and 2 of the larger ones with countersink holes, plus some of the smaller 1/2˝ diameter ones without holes. The plastic coating is rather fragile. I haven't even used them in my tank yet, and just by playing with them, they already have some scratches and small chips in the plastic coating, so I would avoid using them where they might take a lot of abuse or be removed and replaced often.

I bought some nylon flat-head screws to use with the magnets with countersunk holes. Please note that the holes are not threaded. I got black nylon screws and nuts because I did not want glaring white screws in the tank, but I'm not sure about using them now, as they are not particularly colorfast. Alcohol seems to work well for removing the excess dye that may leech into the tank. They may be okay in just water in any case, I don't know. If I had it to do over, I would probably get some clear polycarbonate screws.

I am so bummed that Zoo Med is no longer making MagClips. The plastic on them was way better.
 
A fork still works great for me in all 6 of my tanks. Stick it in the veggie, place it in the tank, and then remove it when you are finished. And the best part os that there is no cost. Good luck.
 
I've also had good results using a fork. I picked up some small stainless steel pickle forks at Goodwill, bent the tines at a 90° angle to the handle and then bent the handle into a 'hook' to hang over the tank rim. Works great!!!! If you need the veggies to reach the tank bottom, just tie a piece of nylon fishing line to the fork handle and lower it into the tank. It's easy to retrieve and you won't get your hands wet!
 
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