Tricks of the Trade.

ficklefins · Jul 13, 2008

Everyone has little things they do with their tank that could be considered good tips or tricks to new and experienced users. So what are some things that you do with your tank that users may or may not have thought of.

Starting a Siphon:
Use the output of a powerhead to start a siphon from inside your tank.

Glass Protection from Magnets:
Use adhesive surfaces (kitchen cabinet adhesive) on the back of your tank to give better protection from strong powerhead magnets or for better movement of powerheads over painted surfaces.

abe · Jul 13, 2008

Superglue: thin layers surrounding one thick layer works best, as hermit crabs cannot pry off the the glue anymore

Stopping A Siphon (in case of black outs) drill small hole as close to the waterline as possible (underwater though) so when pumps stop, they do not start a siphon (via same method stated below)

if that's not possible... i'd have to post a picture of what i use... its a valve that has zero waterflow restriction

oceanparadise1 · Jul 13, 2008

I use a power head for all my water changes. Works great, i never have to use my mouth lol!

gflat65 · Jul 13, 2008

Roller dollies for WC's...

reefboy · Jul 14, 2008

A big trick that most people dont do that can save your life and house is a GFCI also a baby bottle brush works well to clean most filter or hose type componets I also like to keep a bottle(gal of generic) of white vinegar around you use to mix 50/50 to soak calcium deposited filter parts or to remove Coraline algae from filter parts also works great to clean protein skimmers if encrusted just sit in a bin with 50/50 mix usually within 24 hours you can wipe clean, safer then using acid

Snprhed · Jul 15, 2008

This is one I just got from Chris (Reefdoctor Micromussa). When you are mounting something to a frag plug or disk, do not elevate it. Mount the growing edge as close to the flat surface as possible.

oceanparadise1 · Jul 15, 2008

Also when you do sps, mount them on 45 degrees, not straight up and down.This helps promote faster branch growth and will result in a colony faster.

abe · Jul 15, 2008

oceanparadise1 said:
Also when you do sps, mount them on 45 degrees, not straight up and down.This helps promote faster branch growth and will result in a colony faster.

i forget about that one all the time... mostly because it is too hard for me to do. dang those hermit crabs. :horse:

gooch · Jul 15, 2008

reefboy said:
A big trick that most people dont do that can save your life and house is a GFCI

Until you get one that fails to trip and almost burns your house down. Real fun when 20+ firemen are getting ready to rip down walls because something is burning but you just can't find it. It was enough to scare me into shutting down every tank I have. But only for a little while.

I still use GfCi though.

And do not use cheap powerstrips. I use the heavy duty expensive ones(about $40) and if they get wet they get tossed. Learned the hard way with the cheap ones. I swear my curlies got curlier. I actually do not use any powerstrips on my fish tanks anymore and all my outlets are placed far above the water line. Many in the ceiling.

Also when I do my big tank I am actually going to plumb in a drain that I can hook a hose up to to directly drain the water from my tank for water changes.

And if there is a piece of equipment that has made my life easier is the Tunze Osmolator. Best top off I have ever used. I know there is a lot of good ones out there but the Tunze has never ever let me down.