Stuff a Reefer Shouldn't be without! And other cool Ideas!

[2FarNorth]

I thought it would be neat to start a topic like this. Hopefully others will share some ideas!!

Ok, We all have items that we use in or around our Aquariums that are either non-aquarium related or are related, but not normally seen (good finds). I think it would be great if we could have a thread for members to come and get ideas, and hopefully make their tanks more enjoyable, and save a little money!! And we all like that idea!!!

So on that note, Please share some products or ideas!!

[2FarNorth]

First, One of the most usefull items, that I use every day, actually I can't think of a day that goes by that I don't use it.....

Turkey basters!!



I use them to feed Rod's food, and other frozen food.

I also use them to blow stuff off of coral and rock (mainly sand from my Goby that decides to dump mouthfulls of sand on my corals)

You can even attach a piece of flexible tubing to the end to reach hard to reach spots!!

[2FarNorth]

Waucedah_joe actually started me on to this "Plumbing" Epoxy putty, by PC products. but I thought I'd share it!! I did read about it before, but never really knew anyone that used it. I always purchased the Aquastick stuff from 2LittleFishies, which, really isn't that cheap... depending on the color, around $8.00 a tube. I'm sure you can use other kinds of epoxy, but just make sure it's safe for Potable Water. (NSF approved) This stuff is $3.97 a tube at Home Depot. Granted your not saving much for money, but just the time to go to the local pet stores to find out they don't carry any of the other stuff in stock, now you can just swing by HD and pick some up!!

I mainly use this stuff to bond Live Rock together, build coral shelves, attach coral to Rock, etc. And the best part, just kneed it together, and use it right under water.

And I've never had any troubles using it. It is non-toxic once cured, Actually it can't be too harmfull when not-cured, cuz I watched my cleaner shrimp stuff pieces by the claw-full in it's mouth, and that was close to a year ago!! The only thing  you gotta watch out for, but same with all epoxies, is I've had my skimmer go nuts and overflow within minutes after using it in the tank... Which is good, the skimmer is doing it's job!!





Another adhesive I use regularly is Super Glue, mainly the Gel type. You can use plain 'ol Super Glue Gel (Cyanoacrylate) such as Loctite brand. It will bond items under water (put a glob on the item, coral, rock, whatever, and plop it under water, glueing it to other items). Again, non-toxic, and again, my cleaner shrimp ate some while it was still wet  (yeah, doesn't sound too smart does it?) But, I kept it away till it was dry,,, can't be good, but maybe something with the salt water, and being injested that it didn't glue it's mouth shut!!

I mainly use it to mount coral frags to either plugs, or rock rubble.

I've for years just used some slow gel from a Hobby store, but you can get the gel anywhere, Loctite makes a good one. There are brands that are sold in the hobby, I've used many, I like the Gel from "Boston Aqua Farms" and also the CorAffix from 2littlefishies. I got a great deal on the CorAffix at the swap so I've been using that lately..... 

[2FarNorth]

Other items that I use regularly are long Forceps (or tweezers) I find these tools invaluable to the reef tank. I believe I purchased these from Drs. Foster & Smith. But you can find them everywhere.

I mainly use them for feeding my Serpent star, and also to pick out hard to reach items, (such as bubble algae, other algae, moving small rocks around, etc.)

Also I really like the Tissue cutters,,, they have a clean cut compared to regular scissors, mainly used for soft coral propagation, and cutting stuff like Chaeto algae, etc. I've also used the kitchen type shears, but the tend to rust quickly.





Oh,and just another tip, to keep them rust free, rinse under fresh water before putting them away!! The ones in the picture I had for at least 3 years.     

[2FarNorth]

A couple electronic goodies that I will not go without out.

First off is a DJ power strip, or power center, It is basically a power strip, with each outlet having a on/off switch. I have the normal 'computer' strips on a couple of my other tank setups, but on my reef, I have 2 of these DJ power centers. If you worked around an aquarium at all, you know that it sucks when your hands are dripping in saltwater, and you need to shut a pump off,, granted I never was shocked unplugging stuff wet handed, but it can't be good!!  With these power centers, all you need to do is flip a switch and it cuts power to the item!!

These are used in DJ music setups to control lights and other equipment. I have the Chauvet power center, There are other brands such as Monster power, American DJ, they all work basically the same.  And they can be purchased at either online/mail-order DJ supplies, or local stores. I believe I only paid under $20 each for mine, so plan on around that price.... 





Another electronic device I will never set up another tank without is an Electonic temperature controller. Specifically the Ranco Temperature control. There are other brands made for the Hobby, but These are by far heavier duty, and built to be reliable. They are Industrial controllers, originally made for temperature control for commercial HVAC/R. They provide on/off control for heating and cooling systems, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

All it does is you set a Hi temp, and a lo temp (if it's a 2 stage) and when the thermometer probe gets a reading of a lo temp, it switches power to your heaters. If it gets a hi temp, if switches on power to your chiller (or fans on my system)

Using a controller you cut down the risk of a heater sticking, which is fairly common, and also if you have high output lighting, when you use a controller, you can keep your tank cool, esp. in case a timer sticks, and your lights stay on. I always got nervous when we went on vacation, worried about the tank over heating, well now with the controllers, If the tank hits 82, the controller switches on a couple larger fans blowing across the top of the tank.

Some pet supply stores are starting to carry them, but I purchased mine directly from Ranco ( http://www.rancoetc.com/ ) That and they had the best price! For a 2 stage controller, fully wired (watch and be aware of places on eBay and etc., most come unwired, Not that the wiring is hard, it is pretty basic, it is just easier to plug and go....) with the probe water proofed. They only charged me $120. plus shipping, which wasn't very much.  It was well worth the price, and the piece of mind!!

[waucedah_joe]

Good Posts Jim.  I too am a big fan of the turkey baster, forceps, super glue gel, and of course the plumbers epoxy.  I also added a Ranco temperature controller to my system in the last year.  After reading on other sites about so many cooked tanks due to a heater sticking on I figured it's cheap insurance.

[Ontosrob]

Great post Jim!  I have to agree with everybody about the temp controller.  I wished I had one this spring when I had a tank "boil" this spring. 

[Risika67]

I can't live without my baster!!  The pistol shrimp covers everything with sand

[2FarNorth]

Another thing I use quite often is whats called a 'Fish Bagger' you usually see them at fish stores, when they bag up fish and such, but I tend to use them for other stuff..... I mainly use mine when I groom the tank of unwanted algae, just hang it on the side of the tank, and go to town!! I also use it for of course bagging up corals, and also for doing transfer dips between tanks..... You can even use them for a small QT type tank, or to seperate a new fish or critter.... I haven't yet, but I've heard of people doing that....

I also cut a piece of eggrate to fit in the bottom of one so I can carry corals to different tanks, or when I'm fragging, like after glueing, and such, to hold them in there until they go back in the tank......






I got a couple at F&S for like $4.99 each for the large ones... you should be able to get them at most of your fish stores, and probably not too much over that price.

[Ontosrob]

Ok, maybe this is the geek in me (I use it for all kinds of closeup work) or I'm getting old and can't see as well anymore!  The LED headlight!

[2FarNorth]

Boy they would make life alot easier!! I think they are on my next shopping list!!


Sure, And I thought we would get a picture!! 

[Mr James]

I like posts like this...

DIY Skimmer (Airstone design)  Worked great for curing some liverock.



Vinegar (for obvious reasons as seen in the next two pictures)...

Before:


After:


A must have if keeping SPS...  Interceptor for annihilating Red Bugs!!



RO/DI:



I truely believe in skimmers.  Also a must have.  This was my older ATi BM200

[Mr James]

A couple more things...  Hey, nobody said this hobby was cheap....

Whether you are keep softies or SPS, I have always dripped Kalk:





And of course a secretary to keep your sump in order!!  ha ha ha....

[Vauche]

Nice stuff and great information.  I particularily like the secretary idea, I never thought of that!   What kind a salary does a sump secretary demand?

Now, do you just gravity drip that kalk or is it on a dosing pump? (Kalk scares me, not sure why, but it does)

Interesting DIY skimmer, how does that compare to the ATI?

[Mr James]

Nice stuff and great information.  I particularily like the secretary idea, I never thought of that!   What kind a salary does a sump secretary demand?

Clean diapers, toys and food.  Simple really!!

Now, do you just gravity drip that kalk or is it on a dosing pump? (Kalk scares me, not sure why, but it does)

Gravity drip.  That was one container.  I went on later to a 5g salt bucket.  Kalk only hurts your system if you pour it in and add it really fast.  A slow drip is best.  Mrs Wages Pickling lime works good and is cheap.  OR you can get the "good stuff" from any online vendor.  It's more concentrated.

Interesting DIY skimmer, how does that compare to the ATI?

The DIY skimmer is fun to play with, but no where's near efficient as a commercial skimmer.  Now.  You can make an efficient skimmer, but it takes time and money to make the correct skimmer.  How do you think brands like MRC, GEO, ReefConcepts, etc... came about??  They are all companies that invented a better version of a protein skimmer.

That skimmer you see in the picture with my daughter (the secretary) is an early version Volcano Skimmer.  It had 4 x Ocean Runner 2700 recirculating pumps on it.  I removed one of the pumps and added a cluster of air stones.  CRAP!!  Did it double it's output or what!!  The collection cup itself was 12" diameter and 6" tall.  Cool!!