Favorite tool or random household item used most in your reef tank?

[720 Reefer]

It would be easier and more effective to drop them in a pot of boiling water ?

And then sit and pray there are no palys on said rocks lol

 

[Willis19]

Forever and always, my clothespins!! Don’t get wood ones y’all they grow mold after a couple weeks. Been using plastic ones from Walmart ($10?) for over a year now and still good! Little rusty but it doesn’t affect it at all. Used to hold a piece of string across the tank to create a barrier so floating bags don’t bump into my acros close to the surface, holding nem cups, mangroves, holding airline tubing during drip acclimation, organizing wires, etc etc etc!

Amazing reef! Do you mind to share your light settings? I would like to try in my new AI16. Thanks for considering.

 

[footgal]

Amazing reef! Do you mind to share your light settings? I would like to try in my new AI16. Thanks for considering.

No prob! Here you go . I would leave the reds at 10% or less for you though, I have it high for the mangroves that’s the only reason. Happy reefing!

 

[Willis19]

No prob! Here you go . I would leave the reds at 10% or less for you though, I have it high for the mangroves that’s the only reason. Happy reefing!

Thank you, currently mine are at 80%, R and G 5% , CW20, total watts 30. I guess i can ramp up to your settings in a week. How long have you been running the lights? I have read that the led can be burned fast in high intensities.

 

[footgal]

Thank you, currently mine are at 80%, R and G 5% , CW20, total watts 30. I guess i can ramp up to your settings in a week. How long have you been running the lights? I have read that the led can be burned fast in high intensities.

Yeah I read about that too, they seem to be okay for now and replacement lenses are $3 so I’ll take my chances. I am keeping an eye out for it though

 

[AJI23]

When we had our first child 9 years ago my wife bought a bottle brush to clean the baby bottles. It’s perfectly round and just the right size to clean my skimmer cup. My favorite tool. I also stole here cereal Tupperware to hold my 2part. Each one is just over 2 gallons

 

[stacksoner]

I have an old booster pump that I decided to connect to my skimmer drain outlet. I run the waste line into my washing machine drain. I leave the pump on literally 24/7 and it doesn't burn out when there's no liquid for it to pump. Game changer

 

[720 Reefer]

I have an old booster pump that I decided to connect to my skimmer drain outlet. I run the waste line into my washing machine drain. I leave the pump on literally 24/7 and it doesn't burn out when there's no liquid for it to pump. Game changer

Is it like a booster pump for a RODI unit or what?

 

[stacksoner]

Is it like a booster pump for a RODI unit or what?

Yessir. One of the aquatec booster pumps.

 

[720 Reefer]

Adding a new one that I just found. I had originally planned to use a Voss water bottle for a DIY dosing container, but then I realized I don't live in a rich enough part of town for anywhere to sell Voss water lol. Ended up finding these on amazon and they are perfect. The pouring spout it comes with is awesome because I just slid the dosing tube in it and it holds well.

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

I am constantly trying to think of tools or household items that could be used in my reef tank to make life easier. What is your favorite tool that you could not live without? What are some household items you use in your tank that most would not think of? I will start with one. Everyone uses turkey basters for various things, but I found this one that is used for brewing beer. The extra length helps keep your hands out of the water.

This is one of the best threads I've come across here. Now admittedly I'm new - here and to the hobby but I've been looking for some homemade ideas, tools and tricks and this thread has them all. So far I've used tweezers, turkey baster, 1/2" pvc tube to move things around but now I'm thinking of cutting a plastic comb and adhering it to the end of the pvc. Thank you everyone who contributed here

 

[Arego]

Believe it or not but besides the usual things, I employ a "snot sucker" for kids. BRS sells Julian's Thing and thought that looks like a longer booger sucker with a syringe.

A little airline tube attached to a wood dowel or what I use is rigid hard plastic flexible tube with snot sucker on the bottom and any size syringe up top. I only fill the long tube itself, my syringe never touches the food it's around 26in.

Its nice for loading up with various size foods by enlarging the tip. You won't lose any food either until you depress the plunger so nothing is leaking out so you get precise control over your target feeding. Alternative options include a rock blowing tool for hard to reach spots and tiny pockets.

Anyway, yeah. Try it and you might become a fanboy of it like me lol.

 

[720 Reefer]

Glad someone

This is one of the best threads I've come across here. Now admittedly I'm new - here and to the hobby but I've been looking for some homemade ideas, tools and tricks and this thread has them all. So far I've used tweezers, turkey baster, 1/2" pvc tube to move things around but now I'm thinking of cutting a plastic comb and adhering it to the end of the pvc. Thank you everyone who contributed here!

Glad someone is getting use out of it! That was my goal and I hope people keep viewing it and adding when they come across anything handy.

 

[MapleLeafReefer]

Also made a feeding ring out out 1/2" pex piping. Works great!

 

[Ponto633]

Turkey Baster

 

[pbrown]

I use a magnet on my glass but post vacation when there is more build up I use my Cast iron skillet scraper- ( new of course)
Amazing inexpensive and removes algae off the glass better than any fish store product. Mine came with my skillet - will post pic of it when I get off the cardio bike
Get the glass clean in all those hard to get places.

 

[pbrown]

Pantyhose for holding carbon in a high flow area of the sump

I do the same thing… have used this for phosphate remover also.

 

[Dburr1014]

Also made a feeding ring out out 1/2" pex piping. Works great!

You have pics? This sounds great.

 

[720 Reefer]

I use a magnet on my glass but post vacation when there is more build up I use my Cast iron skillet scraper- ( new of course)
Amazing inexpensive and removes algae off the glass better than any fish store product. Mine came with my skillet - will post pic of it when I get off the cardio bike
Get the glass clean in all those hard to get places.

Yeah would love to see a pic of the scraper! Is it the little plastic ones without a handle?

 

[Amandakayphoto]

I use this bottle drying rack to dry all of my test tubes. Works like a dream!