Preventing scratches on glass

[Blinky]

I use an acrylic cleaning pad between the glass and the mag cleaner. If it wont scratch plastic, then glass should be ok. The inside of my mag cleaner is like velcro and holds it well. Just be carefull at the gravel line.

Now THAT is a smart idea! I've been using the magnet very carefully, and it seems fine, but maybe I'll grab an acrylic cleaning pad just to be safe. The small magnet cleaner I have for my 10g says it's safe for acrylic, but the larger sizes were glass-only, the store didn't have the acrylic-safe type in a size large/strong enough for a 65g.
I find my bristlenose seems to enjoy munching near the gravel line, so I let him take care of the bottom inch or so of glass

 

[Dwarfnut]

One suggestion would be to remove any jewelry off hands and wrists before allowing them to enter the tank. I've seen more than one scratch caused by a ring rubbing the glass!

Bill C.

 

[bartman]

Now THAT is a smart idea! I've been using the magnet very carefully, and it seems fine, but maybe I'll grab an acrylic cleaning pad just to be safe. The small magnet cleaner I have for my 10g says it's safe for acrylic, but the larger sizes were glass-only, the store didn't have the acrylic-safe type in a size large/strong enough for a 65g.
I find my bristlenose seems to enjoy munching near the gravel line, so I let him take care of the bottom inch or so of glass

Thanks Blinky, but I have to admit it was not my idea. There is a brand out there (high end) that has replacement pads for either plastic or glass. :bowing: When I saw what they were doing it was a big DUH!!! Now I can use that super industrial magnet and really get some muscle into that stubborn algee. I still am afraid that the darn thing will come right through the glass. :sad .

One more trick for ya is to use cloth diaper on the outside with some cleaning / polishing fluid and presto your cleaning both the inside at out at the same time!!!! Now if I can only get my design for the self cleaning filter funded, we can enjoy our tanks more .....

 

[Matak]

I still am afraid that the darn thing will come right through the glass. :sad .

Man, it is so hard to get those two magnets to ease together gently. When they do slap together, it sends a shockwave through my tank.

Any techniques?

 

[Blinky]

I wouldn't call it a technique, but I do try to coax the water half over to the side with the outside half and then move the outside half away, letting the inside part drift closer to the glass - I only put the outside part back on the glass when the inside one is as close as possible, and this avoids a huge wave but the magnet still makes a loud 'clap'.

 

[bartman]

I guess my technique would be keep the outside magnet away from the glass and pull the magnet down into the water about 3 inches below the surface and bring the outside magnet to the inside one....

 

[NikkO]

Happychem- How do you apply the toothpaste to the glass? Is it just like applying wax to a car? There's a bunch of tiny scratches from my mag float that are on a large area of my tank and they're not on the inside, so then its easier to do. I've even tried p
uting a paper towel on the outside magnet to prevent it but it still happened.

 

[Matak]

Happychem- How do you apply the toothpaste to the glass?

If it is anything like the polishes we use to clean the fibreglass molds at work for fibreglass parts, then I would just use a clean, slightly damp, cotton cloth, like an old t-shirt.

About that acrylic cleaning pad. Is it an aquarium store item? Or just a Scotch Brite pad?

 

[happychem]

That's exactly it, just like a polish. It'll only help with small scratches by smoothing away some of the upper layer, it won't help with deep gouges. Worked wonders on my watch a few years back, looks like it's time again...