Money saving hacks

[eggplantparrot]

Mag floats usually say not to use on acrylic tanks for fear of scratching

pretty sure Flipper makes a plastic scraper that is for acrylic. i like my flipper for glass, works great and has replaceable scrapers tips

 

[Mariette]

Don't the Melamine Sponges break down?
I have used the around the house and they do a good job but as you use them they get smaller, or they did for me!

They’ll tear is used on sharp objects like live rock. In glass, you’re just fine. Also, at $0.10 a sponge, you can afford to toss after a few uses

 

[Mariette]

pretty sure Flipper makes a plastic scraper that is for acrylic. i like my flipper for glass, works great and has replaceable scrapers tips

I have a scrapper. Love it. But not needed for weekly wipe downs. Sponge I find is easier and faster on the new growth. I bust out the scrapper when I’ve let a section go for a while

 

[Mariette]

Why use sponges on the inside of the tank, instead of a mag float that's a one time purchase?

Because I hate those things. If you pull it away and the cleaner detaches, it reattaches really roughly. Also, my glass is 15mm and if need a big ugly one.

 

[eggplantparrot]

I have a scrapper. Love it. But not needed for weekly wipe downs. Sponge I find is easier and faster on the new growth. I bust out the scrapper when I’ve let a section go for a while

the thing with the Flipper is that it had both a scraper and a pad side. you can flip between either side as needed, hence the name flipper

 

[Mariette]

the thing with the Flipper is that it had both a scraper and a pad side. you can flip between either side as needed, hence the name flipper

Don’t like em on my tank. I think they’re ugly. And I don’t like the way they reattach.

 

[eggplantparrot]

Don’t like em on my tank. I think they’re ugly. And I don’t like the way they reattach.

to each their own i guess lol. for me it keeps my hands out of the tank at least

I also keep mine behind my powered in such an angle that it is completely blocked by it, so I don't see it in the usual viewing angle

 

[Sailingeric]

Learn to brew beer.. Not only will you save money on beer but you can use a lot of the equipment for reefing. My brewing buckets are good for mixing salt water, my mash paddle is good for mixing, if I need to heat a large amount of water for an emergency water change my brew kettle and gas burner can handle 20 gallons of water at a time. RODI unit could be using for beer brewing water if you live in a place that has not so good water for brewing.

 

[GThompson]

Learn to brew beer.. Not only will you save money on beer but you can use a lot of the equipment for reefing. My brewing buckets are good for mixing salt water, my mash paddle is good for mixing, if I need to heat a large amount of water for an emergency water change my brew kettle and gas burner can handle 20 gallons of water at a time. RODI unit could be using for beer brewing water if you live in a place that has not so good water for brewing.

I’m noticing a trend here.

 

[Mjl714]

let’s have em guys. Here are my 2

1 - melamine sponges (with no cleaning agents) used to clean inside glass. Was so sick of paying $17 a sponge at LFS

2 - hermit crab shells. I buy dollar store shells that are sold in jars as bathroom decorations. Make sure not scented or painted. I soak in saltwater, give em a good scrub, and toss em in

What melamine sponges are you using these days?

 

[DSEKULA]

I’m noticing a trend here.

Haha I keep reefs and hubby brews, it also keeps him happy when I spending cash on reefing, just toss him another brew... Is it drunk shopping if I get him drunk so I can shop?

 

[dzfish17]

Mag floats usually say not to use on acrylic tanks for fear of scratching

They make mag floats specifically for acrylic tanks

 

[EMeyer]

Lots of good tips already in this thread.

One of the best way to save money is to not to buy unnecessary things in the first place.
#1 Any kind of mechanical filtration - socks, roller mats, etc.
#2 Any kind of "media reactor" -- amazingly overpriced for what they do, and not needed.
#3 Any kind of automated testing device

 

[DSEKULA]

They make mag floats specifically for acrylic tanks

They do but ime (I have an acrylic tank) they still scratch on occasion.

 

[dzfish17]

They do but ime (I have an acrylic tank) they still scratch on occasion.

Yep... Exactly why I went BB. One piece of sand and bam, nice new scratch... Lol

 

[ichthyogeek]

Reuse your salt buckets! Most of them hold around 5 gallons, and can be used for storing all sorts of nifty things (like fish during quarantine).

Don't be afraid of cheapo stuff on amazon.

Still trying to figure out what to do with RODI waste water....