What are some unconventional things you use?

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lubeck http:///t/390457/what-are-some-unconventional-things-you-use#post_3458906

Lots of towels too. Or is that too obvious? ( I still don't know what vodka does and what is it for)
I am not much of a drinker, so my vodka lasts a very long time...
Its a way to get rid of all the nitrates and phosphates in the tank. You MUST have a very good skimmer or don't ever attempt it
. Starting dose is 0.1 ml per 25g. Every week you increase the dose of vodka by 1 ml until you get the 0 readings you want on the nitrates and phosphates....cut the dose in half at that time.....then you have the daily dose to maintain. If nitrates and phosphates begin to climb you increase the dose by 1ml each week until the magic 0, then cut the dose again and then maintain. You must test each week and really watch your tank to make sure no critters are stressed, including your corals..If they look pale or bleached, stop.. It sucks the oxygen out of the tank...so good strong surface movement is really needed. (even so with the Aquaripure)
With the aquaripure you put the vodka into the container and not in the tank (nor do you increase or decrease the vodka dose. My small filter on the 56g takes 4ml each week and the large one on the 90g takes 8ml each week). The good bacteria abounds inside the Aquaripure filter. Water slowly passes thru the filter and drips into the tank. Because it remains in the filter, you don't need the mega skimmer. With vodka dosing you can overfeed your corals so they can grow big and beautiful..it also makes the coral colors really pop.
It is not a thing for beginners to try...mistakes have disastrous results. The Aquaripure filter is a much safer way to do this...like I mentioned before..DO NOT FLUSH the tube if it gets clogged into the tank...use a seperate bucket.
To really understand vodka dosing...http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php This is NOT another site that sells...it is only a link to an article.
 

reefkprz

Active Member
hammer, cold chisel, dremel, tile saw, screwdrivers, syringes, scissors, blender, old butter containers/rubbermaid containers etc.
 

xandrew245x

Member

drill bits
Acrylic rods
Table saw for cutting PVC pipe for algae scrubbers
rotozip tool
Table saw?? Overkill much? :laughing:
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/390457/what-are-some-unconventional-things-you-use/20#post_3458940
I am not much of a drinker, so my vodka lasts a very long time...
Its a way to get rid of all the nitrates and phosphates in the tank. You MUST have a very good skimmer or don't ever attempt it
. Starting dose is 0.1 ml per 25g. Every week you increase the dose of vodka by 1 ml until you get the 0 readings you want on the nitrates and phosphates....cut the dose in half at that time.....then you have the daily dose to maintain. If nitrates and phosphates begin to climb you increase the dose by 1ml each week until the magic 0, then cut the dose again and then maintain. You must test each week and really watch your tank to make sure no critters are stressed, including your corals..If they look pale or bleached, stop.. It sucks the oxygen out of the tank...so good strong surface movement is really needed. (even so with the Aquaripure)
LOL.... or you could just substitute drunk for stressed. If your fish are swimming into things... they probably had too much to drink.
 
I would actually like to know what most of the stuff was used for. Would have been nice to have storys with the items so we could learn... of course this is coming from a noobie and some of this stuff may be common knowledge that I just dont have yet.
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390457/what-are-some-unconventional-things-you-use/20#post_3459176
I would actually like to know what most of the stuff was used for. Would have been nice to have storys with the items so we could learn... of course this is coming from a noobie and some of this stuff may be common knowledge that I just dont have yet.
I agree, we can all benifit from the great minds that think up these things. I got this idea from somebody here on the site.... A plastic container top for tomatoes...the top is clear and has those little holes. I invert the top over my mushrooms with some rubble rock. To allow water to pass thru it, and not have to worry they would float away and be lost in the tank.
 

manners

Member
i use zip ties with a c clamp for my alge clip, hangs off my light fixture about 3-4" under the water line. every other day some one would rip it off the glass and i was always having to reach to the bottom of the tank to pick it up. now i dont even get my hands wet wile feeding.
toothbush to for scrubbing those hard to reach areas.
 

xandrew245x

Member

 
No such thing as overkill.  If you need it and you dont have it... you sing a different tune my friend.
By what I understood, he was using a table saw to cut pvc pipe, I use a handsaw with a fine blade to cut pvc ;P its not that hard.
 

xandrew245x

Member
I have never cut sch. 40 pvc lengthwise, but I have cut some of the flimsy plastic pipe, sch. 40 would be a pita by hand.
 

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by xandrew245x http:///t/390457/what-are-some-unconventional-things-you-use/20#post_3459227
I have never cut sch. 40 pvc lengthwise, but I have cut some of the flimsy plastic pipe, sch. 40 would be a pita by hand.
LOL. Hence the table saw.
When I made my scrubber (need to slit PVC lengthwise for a scrubber) I drilled lots of little holes and cut them out with some other wood working tools. But it did not make a very straight cut, so I have had to take it apart twice and use a file to try to file out the imperfections. Took a very long time. But I was a bit leery about using the table saw. LOl
 

xandrew245x

Member

 
LOL.  Hence the table saw. 
When I made my scrubber (need to slit PVC lengthwise for a scrubber) I drilled lots of little holes and cut them out with some other wood working tools.  But it did not make a very straight cut, so I have had to take it apart twice and use a file to try to file out the imperfections.  Took a very long time.  But I was a bit leery about using the table saw. LOl
Lol, yeah I think I would be Leary about cutting pipe on a table size, especially lengthwise.
 

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Not that hard, really. Just set your fence to the proper length. Certainly safer than trying to do this with any other power saw. Although that new mini saw looks interesting...just need an excuse to buy one!
 

desertdawg

Member
Turkey baster for man made storm surge.
Pot scrubber on a handle for those hard to reach areas.
1/4 square balsa sticks to reach the bottom all the time.
Dobie pads, the most awesome glass cleaner.
Rubber Maid sump.
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
I have one of those extra-large wine glasses
the novelty kind. I better explain. After Quarantining a fish I like to give it a final once over before introducing it into my DT. If you place the fish in the wine glass (with saltwater of course) it is in a small captive area and the shape of the glass gives you a magnified look that is really amazing. Just another old timer’s trick
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Thanks joe! What else goes in it? :laughing:
Small ceramic tiles are great frag plugs.
Large ceramic tiles are used for demersal spawning fish for breeding operations
2 liter coke bottles not only make great fish traps but also good rotifer, plankton and brine shrimp culturing
Rubbermaid containers for various things
Ever made a birdsnest with fishing line while casting an open faced reel? Save em and use it for filter media.
Womens nylon socks are great disposable filter socks and great to put media in.
 
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