Care magnet strong+ 3d print file for better blade clip?

[A_Blind_Reefer]

So i got my first tunze care magnet strong+ a couple weeks ago. No matter what I do, or how careful I am, the little plastic clip that holds the stainless blade works itself loose and the blade moves. Not bashing on tunze here, but it seems like theres room for improvement. Has anyone created an upgraded 3d print file for this yet? If not I’ll try to come up with something but it’s very difficult with my lack of vision and the fact that fusion 360 doesn’t work with a screen reader. I’m hoping for the easy way out here and I can just download and print someone else’s handy work! Even if it’s not a press/fiction fit, threaded might be better. I mean, how often does one need to change blades anyway?

 

[rvitko]

One question, is the blade clip you have blue or is it black? For whatever reason I have seen some very old stock Care Magnets surface on Amazon, the clip has been black since 2021 and the black plastic is a much stronger stiffer plastic than the old blue plastic was.

This really should not be an issue with the black plastic, it is possible the part is bent, it is also possible the plastic blade is bent and these are both more probable when a magnet is grossly oversized for the glass thickness, on 3/4" a Strong+ should be fine, but on anything thinner the blades and clips will wear and deflect quickly. These parts all wear and that is why the clip comes with blade set 0220.154, it is equally probable the blade is warped as the clip but given reasonable use on one tank with at least 3/4" I would expect a minimum of 6 months use.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

One question, is the blade clip you have blue or is it black? For whatever reason I have seen some very old stock Care Magnets surface on Amazon, the clip has been black since 2021 and the black plastic is a much stronger stiffer plastic than the old blue plastic was.

This really should not be an issue with the black plastic, it is possible the part is bent, it is also possible the plastic blade is bent and these are both more probable when a magnet is grossly oversized for the glass thickness, on 3/4" a Strong+ should be fine, but on anything thinner the blades and clips will wear and deflect quickly. These parts all wear and that is why the clip comes with blade set 0220.154, it is equally probable the blade is warped as the clip but given reasonable use on one tank with at least 3/4" I would expect a minimum of 6 months use.

Ah, so the clip is black. The glass is 3/4”, I had originally ordered a strong magnet but it was not strong enough and would separate and float away. I exchanged it for the strong plus. I just got it on the 14th of this month and have only used it twice. I’m severely visually impaired so I can’t exactly tell what’s going on but it really feels like the tabs at the ends of the clip aren’t fully seating/engaging outside of the holes on the plastic adaptor. That could just be me expecting to feel a positive click though. It just loosens enough for the metal blade to **** over so that most of the contact with the glass is with the plastic blade. I have to pull the cleaner out and reseat the blade and clip about halfway through cleaning the front pane on a six foot long tank. Cleaner works great other than this.

 

[Darstar301]

Check out 4D aquatic 3D printed part with ceramic blade, i think this part makes me want to clean my glass.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

It was really becoming a pain so I am trying something I came up with in fusion 360. It’s a work in progress, time will tell…so far so good!

 

[gbroadbridge]

So i got my first tunze care magnet strong+ a couple weeks ago. No matter what I do, or how careful I am, the little plastic clip that holds the stainless blade works itself loose and the blade moves. Not bashing on tunze here, but it seems like theres room for improvement. Has anyone created an upgraded 3d print file for this yet? If not I’ll try to come up with something but it’s very difficult with my lack of vision and the fact that fusion 360 doesn’t work with a screen reader. I’m hoping for the easy way out here and I can just download and print someone else’s handy work! Even if it’s not a press/fiction fit, threaded might be better. I mean, how often does one need to change blades anyway?

I replaced the black clip with some acrylic nuts & bolts.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Should have listened to @Darstar301 back in Dec! I honestly thought the tunze was defective, or just plain horrible. To be fair neither my favorite flipper or the tunze could hold a candle to this crazy yellow/green hard film algae that has plagued me since I started dosing ammonium chloride. However, the flipper just works on normal day to day cleanings. The tunze works for normal cleanings but the blade clip loosens all the freakin time it was a major pita. That little 3d printed screw on clip I made up solved that, but I find the sheer bulk of the styrofoam float to be annoying. It hits things in the tank that the flipper doesn’t even come close to, so I can’t get to all the glass. A lower profile float option would be nice. I have bought a couple tunze blade and clip sets, as well as multiple blade packs. Since January, I have gone through a handful of blades and none of replacement clips held the blades in without becoming loose within a minute of using. With all that negativity I personally have with the tunze, the ceramic blade option from 4dAquatics is a game changer. I should have listened and tried it out a long time ago. It eliminates the worthless clip and puts sharp blades at both ends that cut through even the toughest of algae with ease (in a single pass and without having to use it like a paint scraper from inside the tank). It’s truly amazing. Now, if someone could make up a low profile float!

Tunze Ceramic Blade Upgrade | 4D Aquatics

When used correctly, this powerful tool can cut through the thickest of coralline algae like a hot knife through butter. Because of the sharp blade, the user must exercise extreme caution when cleaning around the seals of the tank. * Price is for 2 scrapers with ceramic blades* Recommended for...

www.4daquatics.com

 

[rvitko]

In general, I have not seen locking in issues with the black clip, the old blue clip would flex and come loose, especially with age. The 4D blades are great, but I generally regard them as expert only as the risk of damage to silicon is high and some low quality soft glass as is unfortunately common on aquariums made in China can also be scratched, this is the reason our blades are deliberately slightly blunt.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

In general, I have not seen locking in issues with the black clip, the old blue clip would flex and come loose, especially with age. The 4D blades are great, but I generally regard them as expert only as the risk of damage to silicon is high and some low quality soft glass as is unfortunately common on aquariums made in China can also be scratched, this is the reason our blades are deliberately slightly blunt.

I agree with this sentiment. Definitely for those who know to take extra precautions. I will add though that the chances of scratching (when used properly) are probably much, much lower than when using any other scraper by hand inside the tank, like a paint scraper, with some force on stubborn algae. I’m pretty certain that I scratched my low iron glass when using scrapers by hand, inside the tank, on this stubborn algae despite being extra cautious. A single pass, used in normal fashion, vs feverishly scraping back and forth as a paint scraper. This isn’t normal algae by any means.

 

[Macca_75]

It was really becoming a pain so I am trying something I came up with in fusion 360. It’s a work in progress, time will tell…so far so good!

Hello @A_Blind_Reefer - do you happen to have the STL handy and are you happy to share.

 

[OrchidMiss]

I'm looking for replacements for my clips, as well, as I've worn them out.

With the ceramic blade replacements, how do they clip onto the Strong version?

 

[Darstar301]

You pull off the colored endcap and the 3D printer blade holder just slides onto the end.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Hello @A_Blind_Reefer - do you happen to have the STL handy and are you happy to share.

I’ll dig it up and post back. Fair warning, while it holds the blade perfectly fine, the nuts stick out a fair amount so you can’t run it all the way to a corner. I was going to modify the nuts to be smaller, but I have tremors and weakness so they worked well for me. I will say that without a doubt the 4d aquatics ceramic blade kit is well worth the price of admission.

 

[OrchidMiss]

I received mine in the mail today.
They went into my 2 larger tanks and I am very happy with them straight away.
Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I received mine in the mail today.
They went into my 2 larger tanks and I am very happy with them straight away.
Thanks for the recommendations.

Oh crappola….i forgot about posting the stl for the clip! Sorry. Glad you went with the 4d kit though. It’s amazing! I honestly stopped using it all the time though. Just because of my vision and I was hitting encrusting montis and chipping the blades. I use the flipper for frequent and quick and dirty cleanings and do a thorough run with the 4d once a week or so. I also changed how I use it. I no longer try to get the blades up close to the bottom where I have encrusting montis climbing the glass. I get within an inch or two and then do a perpendicular run so that only the plastic edge could possibly contact the montis and not the blade. This probably leaves a fine line of algae but it’s just better for blade longevity for me. This probably isn’t something you or anyone else would need to worry about as you can see what you’re doing.

 

[Macca_75]

Was definitely overthinking this one.

Ebay - bought some M5 x 12mm Nylon bolts, washers and nuts. Total cost of $6 inc shipping for 10 sets (enough for 5 magnets).
Used 2 sets and simply bolt the blade to the scraper - finger tight only. Works like a dream

 

[Macca_75]

 

[Doctorgori]

So i got my first tunze care magnet strong+ a couple weeks ago. No matter what I do, or how careful I am, the little plastic clip that holds the stainless blade works itself loose and the blade moves.

I have that scraper and have the exact same issue...does anyone field test anymore?