DIY magnetic algae scrapper

[anarekist]

i need a stronger magnet for my tank, the mag float i have is doing nothing, i might of boughten one too small. but the bigger one is way too expensive for a magnet. i read online that someone gutted their mag float and inserted more powerful magnets. i want to do this but not sure of what strength i need. i think my acrylic is about 3/4 of an inch. how many pound pull should i look for?

 

[Psylant]

i need a stronger magnet for my tank, the mag float i have is doing nothing, i might of boughten one too small. but the bigger one is way too expensive for a magnet. i read online that someone gutted their mag float and inserted more powerful magnets. i want to do this but not sure of what strength i need. i think my acrylic is about 3/4 of an inch. how many pound pull should i look for?

Over 9000. Seriously though... I'm not sure but I have a similar problem. Interested to see what others say.

 

[Ninjafish]

OVER 9000!!! lol ... sorry

 

[anarekist]

i ordered some neodymium bar magnets online, but i just took a look at the mag float, how do i go about opening it up?

 

[DIDYSIS]

It has to all attach at the part that touches the glass or acrylic. Take the padding off and dig in from that side.

 

[tomomothy]

Magnetic forces drop off roughly as a square of the distance (double the distance, the forces are 1/4 of the force at the original distance). Figure out how thick of acrylic your current mag float is good for, then figure out how many times farther way the two components to the float are. Once you have that, you can figure out how much stronger of a magnet you need. Keep in mind nothing is ever as cut and dry as they teach in physics classes, so you may want to go a little stronger just to be safe

 

[sashimimaster]

Try using some old speaker magnets. Those are the cheapest and most readily available magnets.