so question…a while back, i bought these two powerheads on amazon for dirt cheap. i read the reviews and from what people were saying, they worked just as well, if not better than pumps that cost four times as much. the only downfall was that a few people were pointing out that the suction cups that attach the pump to the side weren’t strong enough. But for $18 for TWO 1300 gph powerheads, i figured, if i waste the money, at least i’ve learned and can spread the knowledge that it wasn’t worth it. well, it was worth it. the reviews were right. these things go in the tank and BOY DO THEY KICK. i mean they turn some serious flow. but now the downside. the reviews were also right in that the suction cups are not nearly strong enough. i put one in my tank stepped out. an hour later i came back and it had detached, spraying sand all over and burying a couple softies AHHHHH. so i took them out and put my old aqueon back in. well, the aqueon has started making some strange noises lately and the vibrations in the tank are making me nervous because the last thing i wanna do is stress my coral and fish. so i’m trying to come up with a new way to secure the cheapo pumps. What i’m wondering is, can i put a magnet in the tank that is directly exposed to the water, or do i need to somehow seal the magnet before attaching it to the pump? also, is there a special kind of magnet that’s better suited for salt water use? aka those rare earth magnets or whatever they’re called.
here’s the link to the powerheads if anyone is interested…
You can add magnets inside the tank, but they have to be sealed. One simple method is to get that liquified rubber stuff they advertise to coat the handle of tools. Dip the magnet in, let it dry, dip the other side, repeat until you’re certain the magnet isn’t going to leach in to the water column.
I actually have 2 of those and they work very well, the only problem I have found is that when it’s time to clean them the very thin ceramic shaft is very easy to break and then the impeller rattles.
[quote=“Cdangel0, post:2, topic:6203”]
You can add magnets inside the tank, but they have to be sealed. One simple method is to get that liquified rubber stuff they advertise to coat the handle of tools. Dip the magnet in, let it dry, dip the other side, repeat until you’re certain the magnet isn’t going to leach in to the water column.[/quote]
Let us know what magnets you go with, if you do indeed go for this…
Looks like the discs that are already rubber coated will be too small, at 1.25" max per the website.
The Disks Magnets…that you’ll want to start looking at get expensive. And yes, you’ll want Axially Magnetized, and you’ll want to rubber coat them.
Looking at my Koralia 3, the magnets appear to be roughly 2" diameter and 0.25" thick.
Thats: $28.44 ea. x4 for an N52 magnet (their strongest) + s/h + 7$ dip. Thats $120.00 w/o s/h on the magnets…might be easier to buy new pumps w/ all that figured out already? I’m all for DIY, when it saves $$.
Its a different story if you can do 1.5" by 0.125" x 4…but can you, and have it hold?
You might be able to get away with the smaller magnets, but I don’t have any engineering skills that’ll help with that, just comparing to something that I have that is working well.
Alternately you might be able to use the “Sure Grip 50” like what I use on my MaxiJet 1200 (turns their suction cup mount into a magnetic mount) they’re like $20ea, and good up to 1/2" of glass. Those appear to be 2.75" x 1" bar magnets.
GL w/ whatever route you go with. Man that got really TMI, sorry bro!