Stupid Aquarium Tricks

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I've done various small DIY projects to improve my aquarium setup over time, and I thought it would be cool to start a thread that shows off some Stupid Aquarium Tricks. I'll start off with a few:

Eggcrate + Window Screen for acclimation to new bulbs:
I place sections of eggcrate across the top of my aquarium, and then layer on pieces of window screen. You can peel off a layer every few days to acclimate your tank to new bulbs/lighting.

Child Proof latches for the tank:
I got some magnetic latches from Lowes and installed them on the doors to my aquarium stand. Keeps the looks clean. No play in the doors. And the kids can't get in

 

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some more...

some more...

Easy Pour Carbon:
I took a funnel I got from the Dollar Tree and trimmed both ends off a bit. I then cut a hole in the lid for a carbon container, and glued the funnel to the lid with some PVC glue. Pouring carbon has never been easier

GCFI outlets wired in parallel to isolate lights from the rest of my equipment:
I used an outdoor receptacle box from Home Depot, and some heavy duty GFCI sockets. They are both wired to the power cord so that if one trips, the other keeps cranking.

 

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and even more...

and even more...

DIY Kalkwasser Reactor:
I made this out of a double height water filter canister. Here is a thread about the build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=888146

Automated 2-part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation:
I got a materflex peristaltic pump for $40 off of ebay that came with some small caliber tubing. I have this on a timer and it completely automates dosing of my 2-part

Acan:
Cool looking Acan. Not a DIY, but I just had to add a coral to the thread

 

[geewizzitsme]

Cool stuff! Nice acan, too!

 

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Thanks!

Anyone else with something to share?

 

[ocd_mariner]

I got sick of the algae growing on the teeth of my overflow. It would affect the amount of water that drained and the water in my display would rise. This is an issue because high water level + tunze wavemaker = scary.

I ordered some black acrylic and cut it into a U shape to sit on top of the overflow. Voila! No more algae in the teeth.

 

[Pickupman66]

DUDE, those locks work like a charm I got them too...

 

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11085435#post11085435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ocd_mariner
I got sick of the algae growing on the teeth of my overflow. It would affect the amount of water that drained and the water in my display would rise. This is an issue because high water level + tunze wavemaker = scary.

I ordered some black acrylic and cut it into a U shape to sit on top of the overflow. Voila! No more algae in the teeth.

Great tip! I have to keep cleaning that stuff out every so often.

 

[DMBillies]

I used a piece of styrofoam fish cooler to cover my overflows. It helped with the algae growth, keeps fish out, and I reasoned that if something ever happened that the water actually got above the top of the overflow teeth, the lid would float off (although this is a very remote possibility). It was also a very cheep solution, which may not be attractive, but only me and other fish geeks who would understand ever look under my hood.

 

[DMBillies]

On another note... I see Jack has found a way to incorporate an automated brewery with an under-the-fish-tank space saving feature. I'd like some more info on that build.

 

[Pickupman66]

I bought a fridge a while back and one of big sales features was a cute bin in the freezer perfect for emerald entree and cyclopeze!

 

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11089476#post11089476 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DMBillies
On another note... I see Jack has found a way to incorporate an automated brewery with an under-the-fish-tank space saving feature. I'd like some more info on that build.

That hooks directly into my beer hat that I wear while watching the aquarium or mowing the lawn. Instead of beer cans in the hat, I have a direct feed from the under-the-tank reservoir.

:beer: