what is your favorite maintenance tip or trick?

[david]

In a weeks time, my new Otos had covered everything with poop. I've never seen anything eat algae like this! Unfortunately, my Python can't reach most of it. So, in a rare flash of brain function, I saw a golden turkey baster! OK, the one I found was yellow and white.

So with a Python in one hand and a turkey baster in the other I set out to do battle. It worked great. I got all kinds of stuff out of the wood, away from the leaves and out from under the plants. So I have now declared the turkey baster "standard equipment"!

fyi,

[Leopardess]

That's not a bad idea:) Thanks for sharing! Never thought of using one for that purpose....though it sure would clean out the crevices under my wood.

I use a baster and a small animal syringe to feed bloodworms ....but maybe the baster will have a double use:)

[tomm10]

I've used the turkey baster for a lot of tasks. I've used it to put water into the test tubes for water tests so I don't have to dip the tubes in. I've used it to remove uneaten food and waste. I've even used it to feed. Most recently I used it to remove to tiny little fry from the main tank and place them in a breeder net.

I actually found that they had two sizes at Wal Mart. The smaller sized one has been real helpful.

[beviking]

Originally posted by Leopardess
That's not a bad idea:) Thanks for sharing! Never thought of using one for that purpose....though it sure would clean out the crevices under my wood.
)

That's why I keep one in the shower!


Best tip. Feed less = clean less and less algae!

[Leopardess]

Beviking....a little too much info;) Although I did think it sounded funny while I was typing it. LOL

Yah, feed less means less to clean....but the baster would be handy for getting snail/oto poo out of the little cracks in the wood:)

[mrbigisbudgood]

Originally posted by beviking


That's why I keep one in the shower!




TMI

:shake:



When you buy oranges in a bag, the bag makes an awesome glass cleaner.

[Sensei_the_dojo]

Originally posted by beviking


That's why I keep one in the shower!



:confused: master-basting?? :confused: :D

[beviking]

TMI? I didn't say what I did with it! I...uh...just like to make sure my driftwood is clean so I...uh...sometimes take it in the shower...yeah, that's it...to make sure it's clean.:)
I should probably stop b/c the chlorinated water kills the beneficial bacteria on it huh? I'll try. There's just a certain satisfaction from doing...uh...a good job. :)

I hope NJDF posts another cleaning hose thread so I can get off this topic...

[bayoupr]

After I vac my gravel I use a potatoe masher to even and flatten my gravel back. Works great. Also when I'm cleaning my 125g that houses my male jag, with my python in one hand and my algae brush in the other I can hold him off from bitting me. He is very stubborn and will attack my hands when I'm cleaning his domain.

[750t]

I just got a algea mit made by python. This is the best I ever used. It cut my glass cleaning time in half. Also its easier to get the curners and along the gravel line.

[Must4ng s4lly]

PYTHONS RULE!!! IF YA GOT ANY ALGAE USE A RAZOR BLADE. THAT SHOULD DO IT! :)

[STraBO]

keep a maintenance log.