Share Your Random Tips

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by kwirky

yeah as soon as I see the slightest film on my glass I attack it with the hammerhead.

Here's one of my own:

A 6g glass jug (for winemaking), a cheap air pump, and an electronic timer equals a quite safe and very cheap auto top-off unit.

I like that one - how do you fit the air pump in the jug, though?

ANd do you set the timer for how long, 30 minutes or so?

[fishface]

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

how do you fit the air pump in the jug, though?

[GrimReefer]

for the beginners:

-when selecting LR, choose pieces that are porous and have a lot of holes. not only is it cheaper, but a porous piece provides more surface area for biological activity.

-when designing a system, don't forget flow. it's almost as important as light. and with the new affordable flow pumps on the market, there's no excuse for lack of it.

[Phanman]

For a cheap but effective source of Blue light, try Ikea's LED strip lights. 4 strips in a box for $40. You can also connect them together to make 1 big strip. I do this for my 10gallon nano, and my friend does this on his 90gallon tank and it looks beautiful.

[fishface]

Originally Posted by Phanman

For a cheap but effective source of Blue light, try Ikea's LED strip lights. 4 strips in a box for $40. You can also connect them together to make 1 big strip. I do this for my 10gallon nano, and my friend does this on his 90gallon tank and it looks beautiful.

you don't happen to have a name or link to these do you Phanman?

[bassman]

When making water for your water changes adjust the chemical balance before adding it to the tank. I struggled for months with low calcium and magnesium levels in my tank. I tested my makeup water one day and realized that my calcium and magnesium were too low, thus I was actually depleting the levels in my tank each week with my water changes. Once I started adding calcium and magnesium to my makeup water my tank levels were rock solid. I was even able to remove my kalk reactor all together.

[Phanman]

Originally Posted by fishface

you don't happen to have a name or link to these do you Phanman?

Here you go
I found that the blue LED's are rarely in.

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/store...umber=50098184

[fishface]

excellent, thanks alot! can you run just one strip at a time or is it all or nothing? it's difficult to see if they can be disconnected at the junction box.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by Phanman

Here you go
I found that the blue LED's are rarely in.

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/store...umber=50098184

I use those on my 180G too. I only used two strips since they can be pretty bright but with the surface agitation I have it's amazing how it gives the tank that shimmering moonlight look. You're able to see all the night crawlers way more too. I love it.

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by fishface

HEY!!! :P

I'm serious!!

I have those 5g water jugs from purifed water, and man - I'd have to jam it in good!

I'm making myself seem even more stupid, aren't I?