Tips, Tricks and Tools

[msujohn]

I'm still a newbie to reef tanks. I'm hoping you can share some of your favorite tips and tools that you use. For instance, using a turkey baster to spot feed, etc? I'd love to hear from the experts on some other tips/tricks/tools.

 

[tyler1503]

This thread could be very useful!
The first thing that comes to mind is the use of cable ties to keep the cords under the stand organised.
I also use a steak knife to cut up frozen slab food instead of breaking off the wrong amount each time.
There are probably millions of things we could post here. I look forward to what everyone else has to contribute
It's like life hacks for the marine tank!

 

[Mussin]

Following along.....

 

[nivram]

I use my wife's jar opener to twist off the tlf 150 reactor top when I ran carbon. It makes it a lot easier.

I now use a 550. I've heard adding Teflon tape to the threads helps with removal. I haven't tested this yet.

 

[msujohn]

bump

 

[Dustinba]

Before your tank is even built just keep doing plenty of research. Like what fish will be best with each other. What corals and anemomes don't play well together etc. im no expert by any means, but just make sure you have everything planned out ahead of time before you buy parts you don't actually need

 

[tyler1503]

Bump.
C'mon guys! This thread has potential I not only be a lot of fun, but to be a really good reference guide for everyone.
Life hacks for the aquarium!

 

[Eld4nte]

You can use 3D glasses from a theatre and a lcd computer screen to see if glass is tempered BEFORE you drill. I learned this the hard way!

 

[eranschau]

Get the largest sump you can fit in the space you have to house it. You'll thank yourself later.

 

[danangelo]

Plan, plan, plan,..read l, read, read,...patience is key, stability is success. Drill holes on rocks for pegs make it easy to attach corals and move if you have to. A controller is a life saver.

 

[cdness]

- Razor blade paint scrapers are better than most glass scrapers

- Mr Clean Magic Eraser (unscented) is great for cleaning glass as well as acrylic

- Vinegar works wonders on cleaning pumps. If you use it straight (non-diluted) you can dump it back in the bottle for another day with a little straining to keep the particles out (Thanks AZ for this tip)

- Mag floats work wonders for holding acclimation lines in the tank. Clips from store hangers work great for holding the other end of the line to your bucket...

- Baked baking soda (Soda Ash) is a great and cheap alkalinity supplement

- Mrs Wages Pickling Lime is a great Kalkwasser substitute

- Kalk plus RODI is wonderful and cheap DIY Aiptasia, Majano, pest treatment

- Don't believe what you read on Facebook groups...

 

[scardall]

idea

Use a Tetra Luft pump to suck air out of overfow tube etc.

 

[svSabine]

Syringe with needle removed, 3 feet of FLEXIBLE airline connected on one side to the syringe and the other side to a 3' length of RIGID airline. Perfect target feeder for deep tanks.

 

[jack89]

read, read and read. Think and spend... and one word advice... is PATIENCE

 

[zesty]

Take notes, write down test results, get a notebook just for your reef and pictures, takes as many pictures as you can. Smart phone hooked up to an online album is how I use mine. I can go grab a pic and slap it into a thread just like this

Then when you go to question something, you can reference back to what you have done and when you did it. pictures also are a great way to go back and document growth or what was going on in your tank, etc.

I should listen to my own advice...
Documentation would have helped me from time to time. Plus, I have a bunch of notes stuck everywhere, instead of in a nice notebook. At least with a notebook, I'm just flipping thru pages. With little notes, I have 6 different places they could be (and that would be considered put away...)