Flipper Standard Float up to 12mm glass
Suits tanks
115–570 L
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Flipper Standard Float up to 12mm glass
Clean the glass without ever getting your hands wet. The Flipper Standard Float is a two-sided magnetic cleaner built for glass or acrylic tanks between 6 and 12 mm thick (1/4 to 1/2 inch) - the range that covers most aquariums from about 115 to 570 litres. A soft pad handles daily film and light algae, and a flip to the scraper side clears anything the pad cannot shift, all driven from outside the glass by a rare earth magnet.
Key features
- Two cleaning modes in one unit - a soft pad side for routine maintenance and a scraper blade side for stubborn algae, without swapping tools.
- Ships with both blade types fitted - a stainless steel blade for glass and an ABS blade for acrylic, so the same unit works whichever material you are cleaning.
- Floats if it comes off the magnet - drop the inner half mid-clean and it rises to the surface instead of sitting on the substrate where fish or inverts could bump it.
- Sand-safe gap at the base - a built-in clearance lets the blade reach right down near the substrate without ploughing into it.
- Rare earth magnets - strong enough to drive the scraper side through algae without the two halves separating mid-stroke.
- Fresh and marine safe - the housing and magnets are rated for both water types.
Will it fit my tank?
Measure the glass or acrylic panel itself, not the tank's stated size - a 12 mm-rated cleaner will not seat properly on 15 mm glass, and a cleaner rated for thinner glass than you have simply will not grip. The Standard Float covers 6 to 12 mm (1/4 to 1/2 inch), which is the wall thickness on most aquariums in the 115 to 570 litre range. Bowfront tanks with curved glass need a small allowance - go up roughly 3 mm from a flat measurement, because the curve reduces effective contact.
Specifications
| Glass/acrylic thickness | 6-12 mm (1/4-1/2 in) |
|---|---|
| Suitable tank range | Approximately 115-570 L |
| Surface safety | Glass and acrylic (correct blade fitted for each) |
| Blade types included | Stainless steel (glass) and ABS (acrylic) |
| Cleaning pad | Soft pad, opposite face to the blade |
| Buoyancy | Floats if separated from the outer magnet |
| Water type | Freshwater and marine |
| Supplier code | AA2193 |
Which Flipper do I need?
| Model | Glass/acrylic thickness | Typical tank size |
|---|---|---|
| Flipper Nano | Up to 6 mm | Small tanks, glass only |
| Flipper Standard Float (this product) | 6-12 mm | ~115-570 L, glass or acrylic |
| Flipper Max | 15-25 mm | Large or thick-walled tanks, glass or acrylic |
If your glass measures between 12 and 15 mm, neither the Standard nor the Max is a confident fit - check the exact figure before ordering, since a magnet that is too weak for the glass will not track properly and one that is too strong for thin glass can be harder to control near the surface.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for: glass and acrylic aquariums with 6-12 mm walls, routine algae and film maintenance, and tanks where hand access is limited by aquascape or a tight stand.
Not suitable for: glass or acrylic outside the 6-12 mm range, and tanks housing fish or invertebrates sensitive to strong external magnets close to the glass - check compatibility for bettas, fry and axolotls before using any magnetic cleaner around them.
What's included
- Flipper Standard Float magnetic cleaner (inner and outer halves)
- Stainless steel blade, fitted for glass tanks
- ABS blade, fitted for acrylic tanks
- Soft cleaning pad
Care and maintenance
Safety
Keep the outer magnet clear of livestock that are sensitive to strong magnetic fields at close range, and lift it away from the glass rather than sliding it over sharp aquascape edges. Store away from pacemakers and other medical devices, and away from credit cards and other magnetic media.
Goes well with
- Flipper Standard stainless blade 2pk - spare blade for the glass side.
- Flipper Standard ABS blade 3pk - spare blade for the acrylic side.
- Flipper Platinum hand scraper blades - for spots the magnet cannot reach, like above the waterline.
Warranty and delivery
Sold as a standard parcel item. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply regardless of any supplier warranty term.
Common questions
Will this scratch my acrylic tank?
Not if the ABS blade is fitted - that is what it is designed for. The stainless blade included in the same box is for glass only and will mark acrylic, so check which side is facing out before you start.
What happens if the inner half comes off while I'm cleaning?
It floats to the surface rather than dropping to the substrate, so it is easy to retrieve without disturbing the aquascape or substrate-dwelling fish.
My glass is 13 mm - will this still work?
Not reliably. 13 mm sits just above the Standard Float's 12 mm rating, so grip and control at the edges of the panel will be weaker than the spec suggests. Measure carefully, and consider the Max if you are above 12 mm.
Can I use it in a marine tank?
Yes. The housing, magnets and both blade types are rated for freshwater and marine use.
