Tips and Tricks thread

FINWIN

Alligator Gar
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2018
5,619
8,953
188
Washington DC
Make tank background out of aluminum foil Gently crunch and fold foil and tape it dull side up tp back of tank. You can spray paint areas brown/green/gray for extra realism. Use more foil for more depth by pushing foil out.

Have a floor mop used to clean the sides of big/tall tanks.

Use Mr clean magic erasers for algae on acrylic tanks. No scratch.

For gaps in lids use plastic wrap to cover. Reduces humidity and evaporation.

To reduce intense led lighting causing algae, partially cover lids with black filter foam or translucent acrylic (amber or green)

Getting a smaller led light strip adds more depth with a spotlight look and reduces algae. So say you have a 36" tank get a 24" strip instead of 36". Also saves money. It isn't necessary to get a strip to match the span.

Got gunk/mulm build up on substrate? Use water pumps. Turn pump stem upside down and let it blast the substrate clean. Water will go completely brown. Then put tube on pump and drain brown water out.

Make super fast, super easy caves with pond filter foam. Get a sheet of foam then silicone rocks on both ends facing up. Let dry. Roll foam into a tube. The weighted edges will hold the foam in place. Go 3x the length of the size you want. Because it unfolds there's no problem with top openings.

Example. For a 12 inch diameter tube the length needs to be 36-37 inches (Pi)

Re use silk plant scraps that are in good shape. Get small custard or pimento glass bowls (the flat ones) and silicone rock or gravel around the base of the plant scrap inside the small dish. They make nice bases for a zen look.

Copper and stainless steel scrubbers are great for getting glass lids whistle clean. Use hot water.

Use a toothbrush or bottle brush to clean hob filter stems on the inside.

Got a hob filter that won't lay level and tips? Cut a piece of sponge, wet it and squeeze out. Stuff it in the space between the tank frame and filter to level.

Measure stubborn fish by taping a clear ruler on the glass. get an 18 inch one.
 

AR1

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Jan 27, 2023
1,251
1,479
154
Make tank background out of aluminum foil Gently crunch and fold foil and tape it dull side up tp back of tank. You can spray paint areas brown/green/gray for extra realism. Use more foil for more depth by pushing foil out.

Have a floor mop used to clean the sides of big/tall tanks.

Use Mr clean magic erasers for algae on acrylic tanks. No scratch.

For gaps in lids use plastic wrap to cover. Reduces humidity and evaporation.

To reduce intense led lighting causing algae, partially cover lids with black filter foam or translucent acrylic (amber or green)

Getting a smaller led light strip adds more depth with a spotlight look and reduces algae. So say you have a 36" tank get a 24" strip instead of 36". Also saves money. It isn't necessary to get a strip to match the span.

Got gunk/mulm build up on substrate? Use water pumps. Turn pump stem upside down and let it blast the substrate clean. Water will go completely brown. Then put tube on pump and drain brown water out.

Make super fast, super easy caves with pond filter foam. Get a sheet of foam then silicone rocks on both ends facing up. Let dry. Roll foam into a tube. The weighted edges will hold the foam in place. Go 3x the length of the size you want. Because it unfolds there's no problem with top openings.

Example. For a 12 inch diameter tube the length needs to be 36-37 inches (Pi)

Re use silk plant scraps that are in good shape. Get small custard or pimento glass bowls (the flat ones) and silicone rock or gravel around the base of the plant scrap inside the small dish. They make nice bases for a zen look.

Copper and stainless steel scrubbers are great for getting glass lids whistle clean. Use hot water.

Use a toothbrush or bottle brush to clean hob filter stems on the inside.

Got a hob filter that won't lay level and tips? Cut a piece of sponge, wet it and squeeze out. Stuff it in the space between the tank frame and filter to level.

Measure stubborn fish by taping a clear ruler on the glass. get an 18 inch one.
And I’m guessing this was just the demo? The rest of the 'Tips and Tricks' classes cost, what, like 50 bucks a month? Alright then, count me in—just kindly send over the registration form!
 
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Reactions: FINWIN

Backfromthedead

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Jul 12, 2017
4,690
6,420
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Fredericksburg va
Ill participate i guess. I was pretty proud of my last cheap DIY project, these simple but effective filter sock holders/media baskets i made from plastic "chicken wire"($4) and a few zip-ties(several cents). They can be moved around and easily adjusted to use different style socks or media.
20240812_170208.jpg
I had been hanging the socks from the plumbing which worked but would start to weigh down the socks as they fouled up.

So i guess my tip is always try to DIY before throwing money away on expensive gadgets.
 

FINWIN

Alligator Gar
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2018
5,619
8,953
188
Washington DC
Yup it pays to be cheap!

Some more:

If you have nicks or cuts it's not smart to immerse your arms and hands in tanks. Get some of those elbow high gloves if you have broken skin.

For precise medication measurements, get a glass millimeter cup, the medical type. Also get yourself some milliliter measuring spoons. Some meds are so powerful you don't want to overdose a small tank.

For ick, I just dump all the salt in the tank right over the substrate and let it sit in piles. Any buggers fall off the fish they're gonna meet their maker. I did this with the 225, just dropped 8lbs in right over the sand. (I discovered fish love eating salt). Worked like a charm. Had salt in for 10 days and replenished each water change. Did 3 partial changes during that time. Didn't fiddle with temps at all, tank stayed at 76 degrees.

For cleanup get some microfiber car towels, jumbo size. You'll be shocked how much they can absorb quickly in an emergency flood. Get about 10-15.

Get microfiber washcloths and hand towels for minor cleanup after water changes.

Use vinyl numbers on different tanks and number the buckets that go with them. If a bucket is for QT only, put a "Q" on it. Any equipment goes in the designated buckets so stuff doesn't get mixed up.

Blue shop towels are also good for cleaning algae and surface scum on glass.

I color code towels for aquarium use so they don't get mixed up. Either blue or green.
 
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