DIY Quick and Cheap Pod Hotel

NanoCrazed · May 31, 2017

In case anyone (particularly fellow nano reefers) is looking to put together a quick and dirty pod hotel, here's a quick and dirty idea that's worked really well for me, and my now extremely fat mandarin.

Best part is it only cost me $2.50 at my local TAP Plastic store and a few minutes of drilling. (Granted not careful drilling as this was originally meant as a trial/prototype...but git lazy and just kept it as is in my tank, cracks and all)

I left the bottom undrilled to keeps sand out but drilled all sides and top. Stuffed it with chaeto and stuck it in a corner of my tank with my powerhead sitting on top, which helps water movement through the box. Also, put a cheap USB led mini lamp to shine onto the chaeto from the outside to keep it healthy and happy (box is located in dark corner of tank).

Adam113 · May 31, 2017

Thinking about trying this for my rainford goby. Is any kind of plastic reef safe? Won't leach anything into the water?

NanoCrazed · May 31, 2017

Probably should have clarified I used an acrylic box. Figured no worse than an acrylic tank. I haven't noticed any ill effect.

Can't speak expertly about whether it will leach over time but I think it will be minimal if any.

Katrina71 · May 31, 2017

Adam113 said:
Thinking about trying this for my rainford goby. Is any kind of plastic reef safe? Won't leach anything into the water?

Is he eating?

Adam113 · May 31, 2017

Katrina71 said:
Is he eating?

Still can't tell. When I feed he's all over tank, but have yet to see him grab food from the water column. Hopefully he is picking it off the rocks

NanoCrazed · May 31, 2017

Thought I would share a pic of the pod hotel in place...

Adam113 · May 31, 2017

I wish I could find a tiny acrylic box.. I want to do this in my Nuvo 10.

Katrina71 · May 31, 2017

Adam113 said:
I wish I could find a tiny acrylic box.. I want to do this in my Nuvo 10.

Look in the cosmetics isle.

NanoCrazed · May 31, 2017

Adam113 said:
I wish I could find a tiny acrylic box.. I want to do this in my Nuvo 10.

Do you have a TAP Plastic store near you? If not, try an office supply store.

Adam113 · May 31, 2017

NanoCrazed said:
Do you have a TAP Plastic store near you? If not, try an office supply store.

Never even heard of it. I'll try to look around in stores. Maybe take Katrina's advice and go stroll down the makeup aisle :)

Adam113 · Jun 1, 2017

If this works out I'm going to stick it in my second chamber with a light back there.

Katrina71 · Jun 1, 2017

Adam113 said:
If this works out I'm going to stick it in my second chamber with a light back there.

Omg is that chaeto?

Katrina71 · Jun 1, 2017

You could drill it out and put a suction cup on it to keep it stationary too

enthejungle · Jun 1, 2017

I used a breeders box with my magfloat holding it in place for an in take fuge

Forsaken77 · Jun 2, 2017

Chaeto, while a great nutrient exporter, is just sooo messy. Pieces of it get everywhere and decay, especially when you prune it. I wish there was something that worked as well that was less of a headache. Other macro algae you have to worry about it going sexual... ect... I wish there was just something you could leave to do its job and then trim it without tiny pieces flying all around. Maybe I'll try that big round one. What's it called again? Ulva or something like that?

NanoCrazed · Jun 2, 2017

Adam113 said:
If this works out I'm going to stick it in my second chamber with a light back there.

Looks good!

Only suggestion, if you haven't already done so, is to maybe drill at least one larger hole at top that will fit a baster tip to make it easier to load supplemental pods and/or feed phyto directly.

NanoCrazed · Jun 2, 2017

Forsaken77 said:
Chaeto, while a great nutrient exporter, is just sooo messy. Pieces of it get everywhere and decay, especially when you prune it. I wish there was something that worked as well that was less of a headache. Other macro algae you have to worry about it going sexual... ect... I wish there was just something you could leave to do its job and then trim it without tiny pieces flying all around. Maybe I'll try that big round one. What's it called again? Ulva or something like that?

You mean caulerpa? Ulva is the lettuce looking one...

One advantage of chaeto in a box is that you can always take out to trim and then put back in your tank. Minimizes mess floating in tank