After coming home from a business trip, I couldn’t wait to take a shower and unwind from what ended up being an unexpectedly hectic travel day.
From flight delays to the most crowded baggage claim area I’ve ever seen, nothing sounded better than curling up in my comfy clothes and enjoying a cup of tea next to the soft glow of my reef tank.
Throwing my luggage next to the front door, I decided a shower could wait. After all, I’m sure my underwater friends missed me!
Author:
As a lifelong aquarist, Yuliya has an endless curiosity about our underwater universe. After graduating with a bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering, she transformed her passion into a successful career. While working at the Institute of Environmental Protection in Moscow, her passion for saltwater and reef aquariums only increased. Moving to the United States in 2013, Yuliya embarked on another impactful journey by sharing her unprecedented experience for all aquarium hobbyists ... Read More.
Strolling into the living room, I was heard the familiar whirl of my meticulously aquascaped aquarium. Turning the corner, my eyes weren’t greeted by the brilliance of swimming fish and gently swaying coral.
Instead, a layer of gunk ever-so slightly mauled the view I’ve spent countless hours perfecting. Now don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t as if the entire glass surface was overtaken by a thick slimy substance. That takes a significant amount of time and overall cleaning neglect to achieve.
However, even the smallest accumulation of film green algae and spots of coralline algae can distract from the masterpiece you’ve tirelessly created. If you’re like me, which is someone who really dislikes grime in any form, you certainly can empathize with my sudden desire to clean!
After texting my friend who cared for the tank during my absence (thanking her, but including a lighthearted, yet snarky, comment regarding the glass grime), I gave a sigh of relief. Where did this relief come from?
Not because I was home, but because I knew cleaning this buildup was as easy as a few flicks of the wrist.
Several weeks earlier, I purchased the FLIPPER Magnet Glass Cleaner, and this essential maintenance task has never been easier.
The Flippin’ Ease of Cleaning - FLIPPER Cleaner Review.
We started Reef Hacks not to provide you with surface-level “tips” and information, but invaluable techniques and products refined from years of experience. After all, reefing should be a fun and enjoyable hobby, not one filled with frustration and excessive trial-and-error.
This is what originally attracted me to the FLIPPER. Its design promised to streamline this important, but oftentimes neglected, cleaning task.
By simplifying glass cleaning, it allows you to constantly enjoy a brilliant view into your underwater world with as little effort as wiping down any surface. So, what exactly is the FLIPPER Magnet Glass Cleaner? Basically, it’s about to be your new best friend.
The Circle of Perfected Cleanliness - How It Works.
Essentially, the FLIPPER thoroughly cleans the interior portion of your tank walls without ever having to stick your hand into this delicate ecosystem.
At first glance, the FLIPPER seems almost too simplistic. The entire device is really just two pieces:
- Magnetic Hand Bar
- Dual-Sided Cleaner
That’s pretty much it. However, don’t let its lack of fancy bells-and-whistles make you think its efficiency is lackluster. This is among the most convenient and speedy ways to thoroughly clean the inner walls of any tank.
Here’s a basic rundown of how to use the FLIPPER:
Step One: Place in the Flippin’ water.
Place the Dual-Sided Cleaner inside your tank along the wall. Keep the Magnetic Hand Bar against the glass. Its powerful magnets attract the cleaning bar and they stick together through the glass.
Step Two: Let the Cleaning Begin!
From here, it’s as easy as moving the hand bar across the glass, which simultaneously moves the interior cleaner bar. Simply maneuver your way around the reef tank wall until all grime and algae is removed.
So, how did this compact cleaner get its name? Well, for two reasons. First, the Dual-Sided Cleaner offers two different cleaning modes. One side features a blade for scraping away reside, while the opposite side is a polishing pad. To switch cleaning mode, pull the handle away from the glass and wait for interior cleaner to slightly rotate before placing the handle back up against the glass.
Secondly, during cleaning you actually flip the handle around in a circle for a deeper clean. Just remember, only flip it in the middle of your tank away from sand and gravel.
That’s it!
The Ultimate Glass Cleaning Hack - FLIPPER for the Win!
Ultimately, this simplistic glass cleaning tool completely changes the amount of effort required to sustain a beautiful view into your tank.
Designed to last years, the only replacement parts you have to worry about is its blades. Thankfully, these only require changing every few months, typically around 3 to 6 months depending on usage and tank dirtiness. Personally I didn't replace them for a year already and it's still working perfectly.
Available in three sizes based on tank capacity, and advance casing within the magnet designed to prevent metals from leaching into the water, I definitely recommend giving the FLIPPER a try in your aquarium.
by Yuliya Ivanova for ReefHacks.