CarolinaShoreReef Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Really simple DIY. 1) Find rock chunks. I chipped mine off of a caribsea liferock piece that I had laying around. 2) Grind down a flat end onto rock to glue/cement a strong magnet to (I salvaged my magnets off of an old frag rack). I just glued mine but I think that cementing them down would work better. I also tried one plug without grinding down a flat end and it seems to have a weaker bond with the super glue gel than the plug that I did file down. 3) Silicon around the magnets to protect from rust. Leave over night. 4) I made a frame for the magnets on the exterior to sit into. The worst part about these tiny, strong magnets is that when they are bare on the glass they get so settled in it makes them nearly impossible to remove without the feeling of stressing the glass. This frame seems to help with that. It’s just 2 jumbo craft sticks glued together. Once attached to each other, holes are drilled through for the magnets to sit into (make sure you drill pilot holes first, otherwise, these sticks will split). I then glued the sticks to another craft stick, inserted the magnets in their holes and glued them down. Another craft stick was then glued to seal them inside. So that amounts to a total of four craft sticks. The middle two are glued to each other, holes drilled out of them for the magnets, and then they’re are sandwiched between two other craft sticks. 5) I used the bench grinder to file around the craft sticks to outline just the magnets and lower it’s profile. (You can also glue a piece of felt to the wood to better protect your glass). 3 Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 From the sides it’s not as concealed, but from dead straight it is hard to see. So if you want more concealment, use a bare magnet. 1 Quote Link to comment
Frag Factory Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Are you sure the magnets won't leach anything into the water? 1 Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 6 minutes ago, Frag Factory said: Are you sure the magnets won't leach anything into the water? Had them long enough that if they were going to they would have by now. I doubt they’ll even touch much water since they’re covered in glue and silicon. Quote Link to comment
paneubert Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 53 minutes ago, CarolinaShoreReef said: Had them long enough that if they were going to they would have by now. I doubt they’ll even touch much water since they’re covered in glue and silicon. The other option is to buy coated magnets. Amazon has them. I got a 5 pack intending to make my own frag rack and I can tell you that they are REALLY strong, even with a plastic coating on them. 2 Quote Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Really like the floating rock look, but I would recommend using epoxy coated magnets. 1 Quote Link to comment
Boggers Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Yes to the Epoxy coated!! I used a diamond bit on a Dremel to make a "pocket" in the rock and the bond is even better. you don't have to worry about the magnet pushing on the edges of the silicone and making a crack. 1 Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 I believe these magnets are already sealed since they came off of a frag rack. Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 For whatever it’s worth lol. Quote Link to comment
specore Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Magnets in the tank make me uneasy. Had a Nano Mag glass cleaner one time corrode in my tank and ever since try and keep magnets out if at all possible. 1 Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 Just now, specore said: Magnets in the tank make me uneasy. Had a Nano Mag glass cleaner one time corrode in my tank and ever since try and keep magnets out if at all possible. Rusting doesn’t bother me too much since gfo is just rust. Quote Link to comment
specore Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 1 minute ago, CarolinaShoreReef said: Rusting doesn’t bother me too much since gfo is just rust. hmmm...didn't know that. Interesting Still scares the crap out of me lol. Your rocks look great BTW 1 Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 2 minutes ago, specore said: hmmm...didn't know that. Interesting Still scares the crap out of me lol. Your rocks look great BTW Thank you! yeah i used to be the same but now I’m not so worried anymore because there’s already a few metallic components in the tank that we don’t even think twice about. Quote Link to comment
A Little Blue Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 6 minutes ago, CarolinaShoreReef said: Rusting doesn’t bother me too much since gfo is just rust. It should. 2 Quote Link to comment
paneubert Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 It is all about what level of risk you are willing to take. Different people accept different risks. I don't want to rain on your parade, but when I see the word "rust inhibitor", all that means to me is that they are saying it will "avoid" rusting. So yeah, rust is basically GFO. But most magnets are not just iron. You get nickel and cobalt and all sorts of other fun metals usually. There is a reason "rare earth" magnets aren't just called "magnets". 🙂 Like when I see a jacket that is "water resistant". Why do you think they call it "water resistant" and not "waterproof"? They have their reasons.... Anyway, like I said, I don't want to crap on your cool looking floating island. Because it is cool. 1 Quote Link to comment
A Little Blue Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 “Iron nail”: Fe+ 30H—>Fe(OH)3—> FeO(OH)+H2O—>Fe2O3+H2O GFO FeO(OH)—> Fe2O3+H2O Plus GFO just binds phosphates without rust precipitation. You might be fine with small amount of rust leaching into your tank but in nano tanks and those running GFO related products, I would suggest caution. 1 Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 22 minutes ago, A Little Blue said: It should. Quote Link to comment
CarolinaShoreReef Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 18 minutes ago, paneubert said: It is all about what level of risk you are willing to take. Different people accept different risks. I don't want to rain on your parade, but when I see the word "rust inhibitor", all that means to me is that they are saying it will "avoid" rusting. So yeah, rust is basically GFO. But most magnets are not just iron. You get nickel and cobalt and all sorts of other fun metals usually. There is a reason "rare earth" magnets aren't just called "magnets". 🙂 Like when I see a jacket that is "water resistant". Why do you think they call it "water resistant" and not "waterproof"? They have their reasons.... Anyway, like I said, I don't want to crap on your cool looking floating island. Because it is cool. You spoke about my decency and integrity and I think you’re taking advantage of my decency and integrity. Quote Link to comment
A Little Blue Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 3 minutes ago, CarolinaShoreReef said: Get some rusted nails and make a fortune. Lmao Good luck. 1 Quote Link to comment
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