Tools of the trade for large tanks....
- Thread starter Jeff000
- Start date
lol, yes. I have a 6' ladder right now, the top rim of the tank is at 6'. I plan on building a standing platform in the sump room to get rid of the ladder.
dave.m
Active member
You really want to get some of those long-handled Pik n Grip type tools. Also some long handled scrapers. You need access from both the front and back of the display tank. But most important of all is that you need a second pair of eyes, as the deeper the tank is the more impossible it becomes to see what you're doing down at the bottom of the tank.
Dave.M
Dave.M
Yes those tools for the 'old' people that let you reach something at a distance. (I have two of them)
A step ladder that you are comfortable standing on.
A table that is tall so it can be within arms reach of you picking or putting something on it.
A 1x8 cut to slightly larger than your tank so you can put it, running front to back, on top of the tank so you can have a very small workspace right there. Good for moving rock where you have to cross some braces and your arms have a hard enough time fitting. Not for sitting on, just large enough to put a rock slide it down, or move your own ladder, and then pick it back up and place it.
A step ladder that you are comfortable standing on.
A table that is tall so it can be within arms reach of you picking or putting something on it.
A 1x8 cut to slightly larger than your tank so you can put it, running front to back, on top of the tank so you can have a very small workspace right there. Good for moving rock where you have to cross some braces and your arms have a hard enough time fitting. Not for sitting on, just large enough to put a rock slide it down, or move your own ladder, and then pick it back up and place it.
Access only from the rear for me. I wanted a seamless wall on the front. And completely avoid the chance of drips on the carpet.
Do you have a grip tool you recommend
?
The 1x8 idea is great!
I half wanted to build something so I could lay down and look down into the tank to work, like suspend a massage table, lol.
What is a good grabber arm? I have one but it sucks for anything more than picking up the tongs if I drop them in.
Yeah granted the tank could prob handle it to a degree, but I would not lay down on it. I agree on suspended on rollers or something.
IDK I got my tongs from BRS. They are pretty good and I have no issues. They have rubber tips too.
THanks for the suggestions.
Just having a hard time finding a reacher/grabber that doesn't look like it sucks.
72x32x32. Not 30x30. My bad. actual dimentions are 73x33x33l.
but that is a weird *** dimension to write and explain all the time. I wanted inside dimension to be 72x32x32. It's slightly less because the glass is thicker than 1/2 inch though.
Just having a hard time finding a reacher/grabber that doesn't look like it sucks.
72x32x32. Not 30x30. My bad. actual dimentions are 73x33x33l.
but that is a weird *** dimension to write and explain all the time. I wanted inside dimension to be 72x32x32. It's slightly less because the glass is thicker than 1/2 inch though.
Osteoclast
New member
You can obtain long handled sponge tools at Home Depot that are good for glass or gravel work. Some marine boat companies make nice tools also. I bought a squeegee from Shuhold that is a quick glass cleaner with a 12 inch width. The Kent scrapers are good for coralline maintenance but have a small blade. Plenty of 3 foot gravel vacs are available and in the large aquarium forum Dan Feig made a nice tool out of PVC to power wash live rock that I copied and it works well. Plenty of tongs are out there in the market.
Osteoclast
New member
I think your room is your best guide. Your ceiling height should determine the tank size. Although my tank is deep and a challenge to maintain, I find with the proper equipment it is well worth the effort. My tank sits in a large tall study and does not dominate the room. Many tanks are in basement areas with shorter ceilings and a 48" height would be out of proportion and overwhelm the room.
FuzzyZipperbaum
New member
MetalTech Job Site Series 4 ft. Mini Pro Folding Steel Scaffold with Toolshelf and Safety Hand Rail 500 lb. Load Capacity
I am on my mobil but type in the above on Home Depots website.... you can put all your tools on it, has a shelf....you roll it down the length of your tank without getting off.... and it folds up to easily store.....you will end up using this all over your house....I almost never use my ladder unless I need to be higher...
and to the question of depth....27 inches allows most to get their entire arm down to the bottom....most of us go with a 30 and just cuss to themselves while cleaning the last 3 inches....
I am on my mobil but type in the above on Home Depots website.... you can put all your tools on it, has a shelf....you roll it down the length of your tank without getting off.... and it folds up to easily store.....you will end up using this all over your house....I almost never use my ladder unless I need to be higher...
and to the question of depth....27 inches allows most to get their entire arm down to the bottom....most of us go with a 30 and just cuss to themselves while cleaning the last 3 inches....
dca22anderson
New member
I use a 4' - 3/8" oak dowel to flip snails and move little stuff around daily to keep it from stinging each other. :thumbsup:
One snail upside down waiting to be consumed by the next passing wrasse...
One snail back on track!
Hammer face down in the sand next to the palys
Upright hammer with room to hydrate
One snail upside down waiting to be consumed by the next passing wrasse...
One snail back on track!
Hammer face down in the sand next to the palys
Upright hammer with room to hydrate
