What are your thoughts on my DIY magnet idea?

[HERPER]

Backstory: I live in an apartment and need to keep my tank smaller than I'd like. I plan on moving in the near future (maybe within a year) to a house. So I do not want a super permanent situation going on for the time being. Epoxying the coral to the rock or arranging things in a manner that would result in a hassle to dismantle when I move is what I'm trying to prevent here.

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on magnets. [neodymium magnets to be specific] https://www.google.com/search?q=neodymium+magnet&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiu2tKj4oTNAhXHJh4KHbEOBXsQ_AUICSgD&biw=1010&bih=662 These are obviously not meant to be submerged, but my thought is to coat them in the epoxy stick to waterproof it.

the plan would be epoxy one magnet to the coral frag and another (so they attract) onto various locations on my live rock. so I could move the corals/attach the coral with ease and without permanently modifying the rock and stuff. The reason I chose this type of magnet is because they are exceptionally strong for their size.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I am currently running a control case to see if the magnet in the epoxy stick will corrode or anything. it's been in the warm saltwater (not my actual tank) for about 4 days so far. All signs point to it being ok.

 

[choff]

I'm sure while sitting still the epoxy stick will work fine. Now coat 2 of them, wait a week and then attach and pull them apart a few times. I'm not so sure that's going to hold up. I see them chipping, but maybe not.

The magnets you got, are they about 4 or 5" around? Otherwise the corals will grow over them onto the rock.

 

[HERPER]

well I don't mind if eventually they grow over them and into the rock. Because hopefully in the time that takes, they will be in their permanent spot. It's more of a means to secure things while it is adapting from frag to temp apartment sized tank to full time house location.

I also currently have things stacked in with rocks now. while this works too, if I need to remove a rock or two (to gain access to a fish etc), corals tumble or rocks etc. I figured with magnetic bases, they could be easily moved wherever (even the sides of the glass for temp out of the way locations.

 

[mcf6188]

i will tell you this that is a way cool web sight

 

[IPWitan]

Let's start this by saying I love magnets. Any project that would include magnets I am for...but not this one. Here are some that I have used in the past - already coated. https://www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=193 I have used those to make a frag rack and otherwise secure stuff in the tank.

If you go the magnet route, use small ones and I doubt they need to be neos. From the link I would use the smallest ones they sell. The $5 ones got stuck together and I couldn't separate them without damaging the coating. A major problem I foresee is securing them to a rock such that they won't separate later on. If you use really little ones, then perhaps, but only if you put something thin between them. Remember, they don't need to be strong as gravity's effect is different in water.

I once saw an add for something that put magnets on plugs and had a corresponding rock structure with magnets inside. Very cool, except the price.

Back to your original problem, I suggest gluing the critters to a small rock, say the size of your palm. Then, use reef putty and secure the rock to your landscape. The putty is strong enough to keep the rock from moving, but not nearly strong enough to prevent you from separating the rocks later. See http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/two-l...l?sku=207218&gclid=CIi5lpT6hM0CFcNkhgod2B0Cxw)

 

[IPWitan]

Since I just did this with about 20 frags, perhaps a picture will help. There are some rocks where I drilled a hole in the middle to insert the plug. There are also 2 flat triangle shaped rocks where I drilled a hole in each corner for a plug. Otherwise it is a 1 rock 1 frag/plug/disc arrangement.

 

[jamesdong009]

I use these plastic coated magnets from Gaussboys to attach corals to the glass. They are a little on the big side but seem to last a long time with the plastic coating.