moneysaving ideas

[Shiftaltumlock]

Originally posted by jtrei
Isn't table salt bad for fish?

I've always heard even minute amounts of iodine (like in iodized table salt) were harmful to fish.

I asked ya not to say that. Geez!!!


Here, read this!!!


http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/salt.html

BTW: Good article RTR. I just realized you wrote it.

 

[goldfish freak]

Agreed, that was a good article. Thanks RTR.

 

[brackishwannbe]

For the Ebay scavengers, I just bought 3 brand new TRONICS heaters. 2x 50W and a 100W for less than $35 inclulding shipping. It's a good place for brand name items at a cheaper price, but like always use caution. .. my two cents.

 

[Matak]

Cheap & accurate thermometer

I haven't got one yet, but I've heard that Walmart sells cheap digital thermometers with a remote water-proof probe for only a few measly bucks. Has anyone got one of these?

 

[marsupialvomit]

For those of you who are like me and a pressurized CO2 system is just too expensive, here is a great way to inject CO2 into your planted tank. You will need:

a 2 liter soda bottle
2 cups of sugar
1/4 teaspoon of yeast
airline tube
super glue (or silicon, either will work)


First, fill the soda bottle half way with warm water. Next, add your 2 cups of sugar and your 1/4 teaspoon of yeast. (*) Use something like a drill or screwdriver to make a whole about the size of the tube in the bottle cap. Put some super glue around the top of the cap to make sure no air leaks from around the hole. Attach the other end of the tube in the tank to either a powerhead, a canister or power filter, or an airstone. Within an hour or so, you should see bubbles in your tank, that is the CO2.(**)

(*) I used to say to shake the mixture at this point, but I have found out that if you don't, the mixture will not ferment as fast and therefore, there will not be a very large burst of initial CO2. It will also make it last longer.

(**) Sometimes, it might be too cold for the mixture to ferment. If this is the case, put your bottle(s) in a small bucket of water with a small heater. This will keep the mixture hot so it can ferment.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This is one of the most effective ways of dissolving Carbon dioxide into your tank. You will need:

Gravel tube made by Python Products or something similar. (part #13-D)

powerhead

aqua Clear filter sponge or something similar.

BioBalls (your choice)*

super glue (or silicon, either will work)



Drill a hole the size of the CO2 tubing into the top part of the gravel tube. Place the CO2 tube in that hole and put super glue around the top to prevent leaks. Put the Aqua Clear sponge in the bottom of the gravel tube. Make sure it fits snuggly. Attach the gravel tube to the powerhead output. That's it, very simple.



*You can put some BioBalls in the gravel tube before putting the sponge in to help break up the bubbles.



The final product should look something like this. I tied it to the powerhead to keep it still.

 

[spinjector]

i use sandblasting sand and hypoallergenic kitty litter as a substrate

Be careful with sandblasting media - it might not be "sand". A common compound is pure aluminum oxide, which would raise holy heck with aquarium health.

I would suggest you make sure it's plain old quarry sand. I would feel safer using sandbox sand instead, because you know with all the lawsuits these days, if it's safe to put the kids in, it's probably safe to put the fishies in.

 

[spinjector]

I've heard of people using poly fill from craft departments for media

I second the poly-fill cotton batting idea, instead of buying filter floss. I've been using that one for awhile.

I'll third that with a helpful suggestion: make sure you get the stuff with NO fire-retardant chemicals in it. I actually asked the little old lady in the fabric dept at Walmart (never underestimate the power of the little old lady in the fabric dept - the force is strong in those ones ), and she said look for "hypoallergenic" and that is the stuff with nothing but the polyester floss and no treatment chemicals.

 

[katfood]

What an awesome thread. Good job everyone.

 

[Kasakato]

Whoo This trend is 3 years old!

 

[Jallen]

Another great glass cleaner is a plastic stone scraper from "Pamper Chef". It has a point on one end and is tapered along the edge. I use it on my freshwater and my saltwater. It scrapes off salt creep on tank and pumps.