equipment Q&A

[1guydude]

Quick question before i go to bed...Can i use existing equipment from my old tank and use it in my new tank? e.g. like 2 makeshift powerheads, turkeybaster, fish net, ect....
thxs! I was thinking i had to get most new stuff but idk, i cant help but save a buck here and there! v

 

[nikesb]

you can, but to be sure soak them in water and vinegar. you've never used medicine in your old tank right?
but honestly, turkey basters are cheap at the dollar store as are nets.

 

[1guydude]

k so ill soak the makeshift powerheads in water and vinegar mix....ill spend the extra $20 and get the things i need...prob save me a bunch of hassle in the future! Wat bout my swing arm, do i have to get another of those or can i use it on both tanks till i get a refractometer....do i have to get two refractometers lol???

 

[nikesb]

no, you wont need two refractors. just one. what kind of swing arm are we talking about here? for lights?

 

[1guydude]

lol no swing arm hydrometer! i know i know very inaccurate! I dip it several times and take an about average lol....swingarm for lights???? When i can afford all my lights itll be like a whole paycheck lol i thought we went over this nike! Tek light for the 36...custom hanger and LED 4 the zoo tank...im thinkin ecoray. The LED i figured i could put directly on the acrylic top ill make for the 10 zoo tank.

 

[nikesb]

just buy a lamp at walmart for the LED bulb. as for the hydrometer, throw it away. useless piece of equipment once you have your refractometer

 

[flower]

If the little swing arm says 1.024 and stays there you have no issues...All over this site I see folks getting all hyped up and telling everyone to toss out the little $6.00 Hydrometer for a refractometer like their tank is in danger.

Please understand, you absolutely must have such a gizmo to do hypo. It's also reasonable that once you buy the refractometer you don’t need the swing arm, but to just toss a swing arm out to buy something you don’t need right now...

Swing arm hydrometers are inaccurate but as long as your tanks SG remains the same, that is all that you need. To date not one single LFS out my way even sells refractometers, I have to go online for it. New folks starting out are fine with a swing arm hydrometer.

 

[1guydude]

hmm k agreed....thxs for the input flower! I actually have two. One is the little oceanic biocube intank one...I believe both are calibrated and they both read the same as well, when i get home today ill have to put them to the test!
Nike: i will do a search around the local hellmart. Understand though im no DIYer and the bulbs.....where do i get those?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1guyDude http:///forum/thread/385381/seperate-equipment-for-tanks#post_3379481
hmm k agreed....thxs for the input flower! I actually have two. One is the little oceanic biocube intank one...I believe both are calibrated and they both read the same as well, when i get home today ill have to put them to the test!
Nike: i will do a search around the local hellmart. Understand though im no DIYer and the bulbs.....where do i get those?

NikeSB is correct that once you have the refractometer you won't need that little swing arm hydrometer. For now you are just making sure your have a stable SG and for that the hydometer is fine.
If you ever have ich or a sick fish that needs hypo you MUST have the refractometer. To be honest, if like me you can't find them in the stores... it's best to order one before you have an emergancy.

 

[nikesb]

here is a par38 bulb with a 20k color option lighting up a biocube. it covers a pretty good area. its a regular screw in type bulb like the one you would screw into your lamps, fans, etc. you can purchase ANYTHING that will hold it, even the home depot clamp on lamp if you wanted. if you're looking for something more sleek, you can check out ikea

 

[1guydude]

AWSOME...thats kinda wat i was looking for. I just need to order the bulb and its a basic screw in? Than when it arrives, the search for the right lamp is on! This will most likely be in my next shipment. Thxs a ton nike!

 

[1guydude]

sry its hard for me to respond during the day well im at work....pos computers at work! I forget some things sometimes lol

 

[meowzer]

I don't have room for something like that over my 106...it is in a stand....