Why Do Suction Cups Stop Working After 1 Year?

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For the most part, I manage to avoid the use of any suction cups. I made an acrylic tank rim bracket for the most troublesome item to secure with suction cups, a Red Sea CO2 reactor. It works great and put an end to what was a great annoyance.

I looked into the ZooMed magnets but people complained that they weren't exact fits.
 
TheFishJunky;3996959; said:
are you positive its exactly 1 year?:D I know what you mean but there's some better than others. Ones made of rubber outlast the plastic ones by far.
They're actually over a year old. I'm just annoyed I have to soak in hot water every 3-4 months. This hobby is supposed to be fun not a chore. I still have a spare set of Eheim suction cups. Eheim seem to last longer than the other cheap rubber cups.

zennzzo;3996944; said:
Mine get a white slime/calcium/salt buildup on them...I just clean them with acetone, and make sure the glass is clean inside and back they go...good for another 6 months...

I do like the ZooMed mag clip idea...I'll have to try those sometime...however with 6 suction cups on the intake and return plumbing and 8 on the powerheads, :WHOA: 70 bucks :WHOA: buys alot of cheap ones and acetone...
I was thinking the same and realized it's not cost effective. I supposed I could eliminate a few suctions cups on the spraybar to cut down cost if I decide to use ZooMed mag clips.

jlnguyen74;3996823; said:
Nothing is made to last forever, Joe. Soak them in hot water is one way to restore its use, but you already tried that. Buying new one is the other way :D
This is true but you think this is something that is commonly used they would make it last longer.

GermanRam;3996743; said:
:WTF:Made In China mean anything.
Just a little junk that we have to put up with.:barf:
This is also American economical problem. Nothing is made in US anymore and people are constantly loosing jobs.

squint;3997681; said:
For the most part, I manage to avoid the use of any suction cups. I made an acrylic tank rim bracket for the most troublesome item to secure with suction cups, a Red Sea CO2 reactor. It works great and put an end to what was a great annoyance.

I looked into the ZooMed magnets but people complained that they weren't exact fits.
That is a clever idea. I might look into that idea if it doesn't take too much time.
 
The only thing I'm wondering with those magnetic suction cups is how thick of glass/acrylic they are rated for. The ad page doesn't say, and the closeup of the packaging doesn't either. I'm sure a quick google search would produce the info, but just keep in mind how thick your tank is before buying a bunch.
 
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