ZetLight Introduces Flippable Magnetic Scraper with Removable Foam Pad

Flipping and flopping magnetic algae scrapers are all the rage these days, giving hobbyists multiple options when cleaning their aquariums with a single device. The latest scraper to surface in this expansive hobby is this Magnetic Scraper from ZetLight, and it puts a slightly different twist to the otherwise straightforward process. Besides having the typical algae scrubbing pads and bayonet style scraping blade, the ZetLight version of the scraper also has a thick foam pad for finely polishing all those internal aquarium surfaces when heavy duty algae scraping just isn’t needed. Attached with velcro and held in place by the magnetic force, this thick pad helps significantly in the cleaning process. It provides a soft and very acrylic safe cleaning pad that will remove all of the dust-like algae without scratching the tank up, and glass aquariums will certainly benefit just as well. The Magnetic Scraper is quite powerful despite its size, as it is suitable for tanks with a wall thickness up to 18mm (nearly 3/4″). The Magnetic Scraper isn’t listed on the ZetLight sight, and we don’t have a retail price or a release date, but those details will emerge soon enough.

Vertex Cleaner Mags Look So Clean While Getting Dirty

Vertex Aquaristik recently loaded us up with a whole bunch of their products for review, and in an attempt to work methodically and at a sufficient pace to properly cover each item leading up to MACNA later this month, we are going to take things slowly and start off with a preliminary review of the Cleaner-Mag lineup. Like the rest of the Vertex product line, the visual experience (e.g. style and simplicity) are held right up there with function. Simply put, these magnets are probably the best looking ones around and they work like a charm. Currently, the Cleaner-Mags consist of four models, the Simplex, Duplex, Triplex, and Hexaplex, all of which range in size and shape from a quarter to an index card. All of them share many of the same features, which include a clear plastic housing that allows hobbyists to see the stylishly powerful magnets.

A Few More Details Emerge on the New Vertex Hexaplex Magnet Cleaner

A couple of days ago, we spied a photo of the new Hexaplex Cleaner Mag from Vertex Aquaristik, but at the time, we had literally zero details about the magnetic device. Fortunately, Vertex reached out to us shortly after our article went live to offer up a few more details (mainly price and glass thickness), though it appears we’ll still be left without certain ones for the time being. According to their statement, the new Hexaplex will be rated for glass up to 15mm thick, or about 5/8″. As far as pricing goes, the magnet has a European retail price of just under 60 Euro, which includes the German VAT. This price translates to roughly $65-70 US, which is slightly less than what we anticipated. That’s about it on this product for now. We’re still going back and forth with Vertex getting details, and we will continue to update with whatever they send our way. The overall size of the magnet was not stated, though we firmly believe that it’s about the size of a business card, give or take. But again, that’s one of those details we’re waiting to hear back on.

See-Clear Algae Magnet Sleeves Keep Those Pesky Scratches Out of Acrylic Aquariums

Magnetic algae scrapers can be your best friend or your worst enemy. On one hand, they remove most of that pesky algae off the walls of the aquarium without having to get your arm and half of your body wet. On the other, the pads of the scraper can can cause numerous scratches in both glass and acrylic setups, especially if you get a little overly excited with the back and forth motions of algae scraping. Fortunatey, the guys at SEE-CLEAR have a novel solution to this problem with their new Magnet Sleeve. The SEE-CLEAR Magnet Sleeve is a very simple product. It is a soft sleeve that fits over an algae magnet and provides an acrylic-safe barrier between the often harsh pads of the scraper and the walls of your aquarium. It is washable and comes in four sizes to match all of the popular sizes of algae magnets. Despite the item’s instant marketability toward the acrylic aquarium crowd, don’t feel the need to ignore a the Magnet Sleeve just because you have a glass aquarium. Glass tanks are not invincible. They too can scratch at the hand of an algae magnet. The sleeve would work well on any magnet on any type of aquarium, so if you have even the slightest concern, why not check it out? Our only concern with a sleeve like protector such as this is how it might hamper the magnet’s cleaning abilities. Additionally, would the sleeve provide a false sense of security? We realize these two scenarios will vary wildly from user to user, but regardless of the potential drawbacks, we’d rather be safe than sorry. SEE-CLEAR is a company that specializes in refinishing plastics of all kinds, with a certain knack for acrylic. So, it’s only natural that their expertise would find some use in the aquarium trade.