Best Tank Stuff

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Best Tank Stuff; You can't buy at the local fish store
Topic Started: May 14 2010, 08:42:55 AM (367 Views)
Post #1 May 14 2010, 08:42:55 AM	Suzy
Best tank stuff you can't buy at the Local Fish Store! Hey, guys! In the past few years of buying stuff for my tank, I have been finding myself a bit skeptical about the marketing in our hobby! So many things we buy are taken from other areas and brought into our hobby, with a cost increase of 300%! I first noticed it when I bought a really cool grabber thingamajig from Kent. It is cool, or I should say was cool, until it rusted out. But, this contraption is taken from the adaptive equipment for grandma trade! http://www.marinedepot.com/Tunze_Aquarium_Tongs_%2823.6_inch%29_0220.400_Tongs_Tweezers_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Tunze-TZ1135-FIMTTT-vi.html http://www99.shopping.com/xPO-House_Brand_16_Rainbow_Reacher One is $12, one is $38! We all know the chemical stuff. Baking soda is $1.99 a box, Kent Marine Buffer is $16.99. Epson salt is $0.99 a box, Kents Mag is a lot more. Here is a goodie: http://www.marinedepot.com/Taam_Reef_Precision_Coral_Clippers_Coral_Propagation_Tools_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-TAAM-TA5111-FIMTCP-vi.html How much would these tile nippers cost at Home Depot?	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,047 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!


Post #2 May 14 2010, 08:50:50 AM	Suzy
Ok, off the soapbox and back on topic: Check out these clamps I found at the hardware store. These are cheap, and perfect for our hobby! They have no metal spring to get rusty, and hard to manipulate. I use them to hold bags in a tank while I drip water, to acclimate a new specimen. And, I have one hold the return line from a tank, just because if it got bumped when I wasn't around, it would be such a mess! I use clamps constantly and I have been a bit bummed when one gets rusty and has to be replaced. Plus, this one opens wide for many uses, and releases with a simple click of it's trigger. Sweet, huh? Posted Image	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,047 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!


Post #3 May 14 2010, 01:12:28 PM	BobC
Here are a few more for you Suzy: A) Pickling Lime (Calcium Hydorxide) = $2.69 for 16 oz. jar Posted Image - OR - B ) Kalkwasser Powder (Calcium Hydroxide) = $14.99 for 16 oz jar Posted Image C) Kent Pro Acrylic Scaper w/ plastic blade = $24.99 Posted Image - OR - D) Plastic Putty Knife from Home Depot = $0.99 Posted Image E) Oceanic Acrylic Sump. 34g = $329.99 Posted Image - OR - f) Rubbermaid tote sump setup, 54g = $24.00 total Posted Image YOU decide!!! ^o)	breeding stock Posts: 103 Group: Members Member #122 Joined: February 2, 2009 Name Bob Carlson
- Insert witty comment here -


Post #4 May 14 2010, 04:15:00 PM	Clint
This has been a source of incredible frustration for me. I don't think I buy hardly anything that is marketed for the trade anymore. The exception is bulbs. I know I am getting ripped off but don't have a good alternative at this point.	breeding stock Posts: 377 Group: Members Member #69 Joined: November 22, 2008
Midvale (435) 213-6215


Post #5 May 14 2010, 05:00:21 PM	Suzy
Bob, thanks! I so forgot about those! Clint, I wonder if we went to a lighting supply store, and asked them to look at their suppliers. I do know they have/can get the actinic no bulbs I use for my planted tanks, at a third of the price that the lfs asks.	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,047 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!


Post #6 May 14 2010, 05:22:03 PM	Amie
great pictures Suzy. I've always wondered what the container for pickling lime costs. Also, washing soda is just baked baking soda. 13.5 pounds at Costco $6.66 Posted Image To make washing soda, place on cooking sheet, and bake for an hour at 300 degree. Attached to this post: baking_soda.jpg (30.21 KB)	stormy, stormy nights Posts: 2,362 Group: Admin Member #4 Joined: June 29, 2008
http://www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/interns.html Tell them Adam sent you.


Post #7 May 15 2010, 06:21:21 AM	Suzy
Those are Bobs pics! They have another brand near me, at a local market with different packaging, different brand. A giant bottle that lasts forever! What about the cool stuff at the craft store? Bridal veil is the most uber cool diy material. I use it to hold softies to rock, to keep pods in a nursery,to line a false bottom on a shrimpery. Sweet stuff, comes in different sizes of holes and colors! Plus, it is a $buck a yard! Plastic needlepoint mesh is indispensable. It can be used as a tank divider without much work or can be used in more elaborate construction. I've used it to make in tank floatable nurseries, coverings for overflows to protect small fish, ect.	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,047 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!


Post #8 May 15 2010, 08:23:54 AM	Amie
Suzy May 15 2010, 06:21:21 AM lastic needlepoint mesh is indispensable. It can be used as a tank divider without much work or can be used in more elaborate construction. I've used it to make in tank floatable nurseries, coverings for overflows to protect small fish, ect. Neddlepoint mesh is great stuff. I've got it in my refugium to stop the bubbles from jumping up and hitting the light and making all that salt creep. Amphipods love to nest in it. If you have to isolate a fish for a long time in a tank with other fish, you could make a quick box out of the mesh with zipties and suspend the box in the tank with fishing line. It's going to be a little tough zip-tieing the top on after the fish is in the container , but once it's done, the fish will be safe, be able to eat, and you can make the box any size you want for under $2-$3.	stormy, stormy nights Posts: 2,362 Group: Admin Member #4 Joined: June 29, 2008
http://www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/interns.html Tell them Adam sent you.


Post #9 May 15 2010, 04:51:34 PM	Suzy
Not sure if everyone already knows this, but an easy way to create a turn/ fold in needlepoint mesh: mark the line of squares where you want the bend. Then, cut every other, every third or just a few every little bit. Then, it will hold the bend just where you want!	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,047 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!


Post #10 May 15 2010, 10:15:54 PM	sterling18
BobC May 14 2010, 01:12:28 PM Here are a few more for you Suzy: A) Pickling Lime (Calcium Hydorxide) = $2.69 for 16 oz. jar Posted Image - OR - B ) Kalkwasser Powder (Calcium Hydroxide) = $14.99 for 16 oz jar Posted Image C) Kent Pro Acrylic Scaper w/ plastic blade = $24.99 Posted Image - OR - D) Plastic Putty Knife from Home Depot = $0.99 Posted Image E) Oceanic Acrylic Sump. 34g = $329.99 Posted Image - OR - f) Rubbermaid tote sump setup, 54g = $24.00 total Posted Image YOU decide!!! ^o) Hey Bob, the lime looks familiar. :P Any luck finding it locally?	breeding stock Posts: 63 Group: Members Member #239 Joined: May 6, 2010 Name Peter



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