What are some unconventional things you use?

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
To setup and maintain your saltwater aquariums? Maybe not even related to the hobby?
For examples:
Turkey baster
measuring cups
spoons
rubber bands
What do we adapt to use to work on our tanks?
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
I've seen people using loofah's in their sumps for pod reproduction
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Neoprene mouse pads to put under return pumps to quiet the vibration
egg crate for a lot of uses
plastic canvas for algae scrubbers
sun netting for shade on top of the tank to acclimate corals to new lights
 
slice

slice

Active Member
A 36" long piece of 5/8" Pex plumbing with rubberbands around one end. It is a great multi-tool for quick change of bamboo skewer, plastic fork or spoon, toothbrush or plastic putty knife. With a bit of engineering, you can run fishing line through the middle of the pipe and articulate the items on the end.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///t/390457/what-are-some-unconventional-things-you-use#post_3458040
A 36" long piece of 5/8" Pex plumbing with rubberbands around one end. It is a great multi-tool for quick change of bamboo skewer, plastic fork or spoon, toothbrush or plastic putty knife. With a bit of engineering, you can run fishing line through the middle of the pipe and articulate the items on the end.
I guess you could do the same with a wooden dowel... But that is a very smart idea!
Anyone use any surgical equipment? like IV bags or syringes to measure out chemicals? Anyone have a microscope??
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
I use these things called Ochsner kochers. They are specialized hemostats with interlocking teeth at the tips. Great tool for removing mushroom polyps, zenia, or colt corals.
I also have to use muriatic acid and lye to regenerate my kati/ani.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I use the IV lines for Kalk dosing, and syringes to measure out the vodka for my aquaripure filter.
I also use a tooth scraper (like what a dentist uses), for getting coral off of rocks.
I use those big hair clips to hold my open bags to the rim when I acclimate a new fish. It prevents the bag from falling over and adding more water than I want and that time.
Plastic Zip ties are a must...I use them for everything. Nylon stockings, I buy a box of 10 pairs...the thigh length are great, I use a little of the stocking and tie the end for the next thing. I use it for a filter sock (with a zip tie)...and holding media such as carbon and phosban.
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Using my modelmaking molding and casting supplies to make magnetic "rock" frag shelves out of polyurethane resin.
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Yes, I embedded the magnet in the resin. Lois has a prototype of one, but there's a problem with the paint on hers fading...which is weird, because mine never did that. I think she has some mutant uber-light on her tank.

Can't visit that website, my friend....it's closed down right now. One day if I have time I'll reopen it!
 
slice

slice

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/390457/what-are-some-unconventional-things-you-use#post_3458864
Yes, I embedded the magnet in the resin. Lois has a prototype of one, but there's a problem with the paint on hers fading...which is weird, because mine never did that. I think she has some mutant uber-light on her tank.
"Meowser Syndrome" strikes again
Can't visit that website, my friend....it's closed down right now. One day if I have time I'll reopen it! Oh Poo, I truly enjoyed looking at your models and reading the origins...You have great talent.
 
lubeck

lubeck

Active Member
I havnt heard yet the spare plastic milk jug to tie into the protien skimmer to collect additional funk
great new ideas that I havnt tried yet. I need to read up on this vodka dosing.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lubeck http:///t/390457/what-are-some-unconventional-things-you-use#post_3458887
I havnt heard yet the spare plastic milk jug to tie into the protien skimmer to collect additional funk
great new ideas that I havnt tried yet. I need to read up on this vodka dosing.
LOL...I did that with a 5g jug and the HOB skimmer...to do daily water changes. I just turned the knob to high so it wet skimmed and let it drip into the jug...and then I let my ATO pump sit in new made SW...when the jug was full, I turned skimmer back to normal and put my ATO pump back into the RO holding tank. I got the idea from using my milk jug to collect skim because my Coralife skimmer was a bear to remove the cup...that way I only had to remove it to wash it out not dump it. I hated that skimmer.
I got an Aquaripure filter because it is easier to control the vodka doses and it is safer. If anyone reading this ever gets one....If the drip tube should ever clog...do not flush the tube into the sump...flush it in a seperate bucket. I killed my seahorses by flushing the tube directly into the sump...it smelled like a sewer.
A flashlight is a needed gadget to keep handy...nobody mentioned that one I don't think.
 
lubeck

lubeck

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower
A flashlight is a needed gadget to keep handy...nobody mentioned that one I don't think.

Lots of towels too. Or is that too obvious? ( I still don't know what vodka does and what is it for)
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Vodka goes good with orange juice and cherries!
Tweezers
Gallon jugs
bone shears
rubber bands
fishing line
cd tray holder that is holey
coke bottles for fish traps
knives for various reasons
Clip on desk lights
Powertools for cutting and shaping live rock and other materials to shape and mold them
hammer
chisel
saws all
battary drill and drill bits
Acrylic rods
Table saw for cutting PVC pipe for algae scrubbers
dremmel tool
rotozip tool
Some people make aragacrete out of Portland cement and oyster shells
Starboard
plastic bits glued on rocks to stimulate coralline growth
 
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