frogman_reefer
Well-Known Member
Hey my fellow DIY'ers!
Ok, so I recently bought a gorgeous Flame Angle and after a week in the QT and an hour of acclimation, I put him into one of those netting containers that hang off the side of your tank to help get the fish used to its smell. Well son of a beachhead if the moment ( 3 days later) I put him into the tank my yellow tang tore after him along with my blue and yellow damsel.
So, that point of sale didn't work out so well, so what can I do or buy that will help me acclimate this fish and get him used to being seen but safeguard him from being beat down?
Well, one person I have watched and learned a lot from is Marc from Melev's Reef. He has this device called the Peacemaker (I believe) that he uses. Dang if I didn't want to spend 125.00 on all that acrylic.
So here is what I built to mirror that idea. Now, I know many people have done a DIY like this, but for ten bucks (if you have a dremmil or a drill) you really can't go wrong.
Do, go to your local Mom and Pop fish store (stay away from chains if you can avoid it, support the hobbyist!)
Buy one of these creature cages.
small one is 6-8 bucks.
Using your Dremmil or a drill bit rated for plastics, drill holes as seen in the pic, all four sides. But don't do the bottom, I'll explain why later.
Dowel 3 bucks.
Next take a piece of wood dowel, bamboo for yard stakes, or even a piece and cut it to fit your tanks (24 inches long for mine.
Note. You can drill the holes through the plastic if you desire, but I just hold mine in place with a heavy rubber band.
Notice that the lid on top opens, once you put this in your tank, it provides a nice easy way to put your fish in while maintaining a tight lid to prevent jumping.
Now, put it in your tank
Now this is just for example sake and you can do something that looks nicer, but for ten bucks, whose complaining?
Now, remember I said "don't drill holes in the bottom?" This is because if you are acclimating a manderin, or seahorse for instance, you want to be able to put the food on the bottom of the container without it falling through. The seahorse will appreciate that!
Well, simple as it maybe, it works, it's dirt cheap and it's easily cleaned and you could even use it for a lizard or large hermit later if you wanted. I hope this little DIY in Ghetto Mode helped someone.
Be well my friends and make sure not to hit your blue thumb with a hammer coral.
Ok, so I recently bought a gorgeous Flame Angle and after a week in the QT and an hour of acclimation, I put him into one of those netting containers that hang off the side of your tank to help get the fish used to its smell. Well son of a beachhead if the moment ( 3 days later) I put him into the tank my yellow tang tore after him along with my blue and yellow damsel.
So, that point of sale didn't work out so well, so what can I do or buy that will help me acclimate this fish and get him used to being seen but safeguard him from being beat down?
Well, one person I have watched and learned a lot from is Marc from Melev's Reef. He has this device called the Peacemaker (I believe) that he uses. Dang if I didn't want to spend 125.00 on all that acrylic.
So here is what I built to mirror that idea. Now, I know many people have done a DIY like this, but for ten bucks (if you have a dremmil or a drill) you really can't go wrong.
Do, go to your local Mom and Pop fish store (stay away from chains if you can avoid it, support the hobbyist!)
Buy one of these creature cages.
small one is 6-8 bucks.
Using your Dremmil or a drill bit rated for plastics, drill holes as seen in the pic, all four sides. But don't do the bottom, I'll explain why later.
Dowel 3 bucks.
Next take a piece of wood dowel, bamboo for yard stakes, or even a piece and cut it to fit your tanks (24 inches long for mine.
Note. You can drill the holes through the plastic if you desire, but I just hold mine in place with a heavy rubber band.
Notice that the lid on top opens, once you put this in your tank, it provides a nice easy way to put your fish in while maintaining a tight lid to prevent jumping. Now, put it in your tank
Now this is just for example sake and you can do something that looks nicer, but for ten bucks, whose complaining?
Now, remember I said "don't drill holes in the bottom?" This is because if you are acclimating a manderin, or seahorse for instance, you want to be able to put the food on the bottom of the container without it falling through. The seahorse will appreciate that!
Well, simple as it maybe, it works, it's dirt cheap and it's easily cleaned and you could even use it for a lizard or large hermit later if you wanted. I hope this little DIY in Ghetto Mode helped someone.
Be well my friends and make sure not to hit your blue thumb with a hammer coral.
