What's Your Most Useful Non-aquarium Tool (for Aquarium Use)?

[goldface]

I really like that idea. can I just ask. Do you keep it full of water then when a top off is needed you add from that and use Prime ? or is it just for water changes so it doesn't blow everything around? My 5.5 seems to evaporate quite quickly ( no lid ) and sometimes deal with a bacteria bloom so I feel sometimes a top off would be better. It only has a Betta and an Otto Cat in it. Thanks!

I do both water changes and top offs with it. For topping off, you could fill it up and let the water age overnight or for 24hrs in order for the chlorine to gas out (doesn't work for chloramines). I personally don't have a problem with evaporation, but when I do add more water, I normally add it using a cup. The amount of chlorine is so negligible, I don't use dechlorinator.

 

[Aquaridiot]

I get a bag of plastic 10 cc syringes withOUT the needle off amazon to fill the API test tubes. I also have a little plastic test tube holder that I label each space with a parameter

 

[angelcraze]

View attachment 538698

Where did you get those black caps? They look much more leak-proof than the caps that come with the kit. Very helpful when you have to shake the tube a lot.

 

[Biff]

Definitely twist ties and velcro straps !

 

[DarkOne]

Where did you get those black caps? They look much more leak-proof than the caps that come with the kit. Very helpful when you have to shake the tube a lot.

#000 Rubber stoppers from Amazon.

*Edit*
Was in a bit of a rush before. There's a few vendors selling these stoppers on Amazon and prices vary. A 5pk is $9 shipped and so is a 40pk. I bought a 25pk last year for $13. There's also a 100pk for $20.

The ones that I got are now $14 for 25.


These are 4mm shorter (17mm vs 21mm above) so chances of it slipping out might be greater.


One tip is to make sure the stopper and tube opening is dry so it doesn't slide off. I use a 20ml syringe with a 4" blunt needle (14 guage) to fill the tubes so the opening stays dry most of the time. I bought a 10pk of the 4" needles to make it easier to get Prime and other Seachem ferts out of the bottle as well. The syringes and needles are luer lock so it's a half twist to get them on/off. I bought a supply of 3ml and 10ml luer lock syringes since I use them the most.

 

[DarkOne]

Another project I'm starting is making pleco caves. I found some 12" x 24" slate tiles at HD. I also picked up a diamond cutter blade and some silicone and will try to make a few pleco condos. The ones being sold aren't too bad at $20-40 ea but hard to find and usually a wait list for them. I'm pretty handy and have a bunch of power tools (arg arg arg!).

 

[angelcraze]

Another project I'm starting is making pleco caves. I found some 12" x 24" slate tiles at HD. I also picked up a diamond cutter blade and some silicone and will try to make a few pleco condos. The ones being sold aren't too bad at $20-40 ea but hard to find and usually a wait list for them. I'm pretty handy and have a bunch of power tools (arg arg arg!).

For breeding or just hides? Those PVC pipes work well too. Stack 'em and silicone together for condos.

 

[DarkOne]

For breeding or just hides? Those PVC pipes work well too. Stack 'em and silicone together for condos.

Just a mock up right now but this is what I'm going for. I'll probably make a few 2-3 slot caves too. I ended up buying a wet tile saw from HF. Makes the cuts repeatable and easy.

 

[The_fishy]

My most useful things would have to be....



-An unused toothbrush (great algae scrubber for small spots or rough textures)

-Turkey baster

-Five gallon bucket with gamma seal lid (I put everything in this and the lid is a good resting spot for tools or the vacuum when they are wet. I can also fill the lid with water to make a shallow pool for small critters if I need to relocate them temporarily.)

-Two gallon bucket and lid (Great to bring out on plant trimming day instead of the whole five gallon bucket.)

-Paint Scraper (Easily remove salt creep, I use one of these at work. Might also be nice for hard water marks if it is dipped in vinegar, but I haven’t tried this yet.)

-Pipette

-Fishing line (Tie plants to things.)

-Dust cloth (For crystal clear viewing. Also nice as a towel for wiping tools.)

 

[DarkOne]

For breeding or just hides? Those PVC pipes work well too. Stack 'em and silicone together for condos.

Just realized I didn't really answer your question. They're just hides for now but hopefully my L128s (and L333s) will use these for breeding. I thought about PVC pipes but they're ugly, IMO.

I just finished 5 condos . The tops aren't glued on so if there's any breeding going on, I can easily get in there to retrieve the fry. They're heavy enough that you would need huge fish to move them around.

 

[angelcraze]

Just realized I didn't really answer your question. They're just hides for now but hopefully my L128s (and L333s) will use these for breeding. I thought about PVC pipes but they're ugly, IMO.

I just finished 5 condos . The tops aren't glued on so if there's any breeding going on, I can easily get in there to retrieve the fry. They're heavy enough that you would need huge fish to move them around.
View attachment 540612

Oooh, those look just like the mock only better since the top can be removed to retrieve eggs. I hope they breed for you

 

[H2O Concierge]

Another project I'm starting is making pleco caves. I found some 12" x 24" slate tiles at HD. I also picked up a diamond cutter blade and some silicone and will try to make a few pleco condos. The ones being sold aren't too bad at $20-40 ea but hard to find and usually a wait list for them. I'm pretty handy and have a bunch of power tools (arg arg arg!).

I am perhaps over paranoid about what I put in my tanks, and I love slate for making caves. I used to have the old school tanks which were made with slate bottoms. When the leaks couldn't be repaired I broke up the slate and that is what I am using now. I would love to use the HD slate, but..
WARNING!

This product can expose you to chemicals including silica which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. CAUTION: SILICA DUST HARMFUL IF INHALED. Exposure to silica dust from cutting, grinding, or polishing product can cause acute lung injury or cancer. Wet cutting methods are recommended. Use adequate dust prevention methods. Children should not be present during cutting, grinding, or polishing. So be careful when you work with it. I still have not ruled it out. Thanks.

 

[DarkOne]

I am perhaps over paranoid about what I put in my tanks, and I love slate for making caves. I used to have the old school tanks which were made with slate bottoms. When the leaks couldn't be repaired I broke up the slate and that is what I am using now.View attachment 540746 I would love to use the HD slate, but..
WARNING!

This product can expose you to chemicals including silica which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. CAUTION: SILICA DUST HARMFUL IF INHALED. Exposure to silica dust from cutting, grinding, or polishing product can cause acute lung injury or cancer. Wet cutting methods are recommended. Use adequate dust prevention methods. Children should not be present during cutting, grinding, or polishing. So be careful when you work with it. I still have not ruled it out. Thanks.

Everything can cause cancer in CA. Good thing I moved out of there years ago.

 

[FergusDaFish]

Everything can cause cancer in CA. Good thing I moved out of there years ago.

Must..... Not...... Rant!!!.....ead:

I've been keeping my live blood worms in a tupperware container in my fridge the last couple weeks. Not a spectacularly exciting addition to the thread but there you go.

 

[bitseriously]

Skate de-burring stone. Used to take the sharp edge off cut glass for safety. Works way better than emery or sandpaper.


Here’s the water bath tank I built using glass made safe with this stone. 24x12 footprint, by 6” high.


Also this seive/colander insert, placed over substrate when setting up tank to allow easy fast water pouring.

 

[Frisbee]

Straws! lol use it in all my tanks, I use them as feeding rings and also my bettas love building bubbles nest in it.

I tried it, it works great, rosencross loves it.

 

[Guanchy]

I tried it, it works great, rosencross loves it.

Haha I'm glad! My bettas love building bubble nest in it

 

[FergusDaFish]

I was using straws a couple of weeks ago to corral my floaters until it got to the point where I had to have three or four corrals and decided I needed to purge.

Now I have but a handful of floaters and they're roaming free... but that also means Fergus doesn't have a spot to build his nests...

 

[bitseriously]

I was using straws a couple of weeks ago to corral my floaters until it got to the point where I had to have three or four corrals and decided I needed to purge.

Now I have but a handful of floaters and they're roaming free... but that also means Fergus doesn't have a spot to build his nests...

Just remember, every time you "purge" floaters, you're literally removing nitrates from the tank. Purging is good!

 

[Addie42]

Just made a discovery
Dollar store pipecleaners are like, the best to clean this part out of the aquaclear filter (I got a new pipe cleaner for photo purposes)

 

[kallililly1973]

I picked up an assortment of 9 different size pipe cleaners from harbor freight for 3-4$

 

[Mychal]

A minI toothbrush and a spoon

 

[Frisbee]

I picked up an assortment of 9 different size pipe cleaners from harbor freight for 3-4$

Haha, you can get a 50 or 100 pack at the dollar store (for 1 dollar of course)

 

[kallililly1973]

Haha, you can get a 50 or 100 pack at the dollar store (for 1 dollar of course)

Hahahaha nice NOW u tell me ... but I got assorted sizes

 

[JenC]

Definitely a turkey baster for me as well.

My latest non-aquarium aquarium tool is a cheap wheeled dolly to transport 5 gallon pails of water during water changes. I'm kicking myself for not getting one sooner. It makes things so much easier.

 

[DarkOne]

Definitely a turkey baster for me as well.

My latest non-aquarium aquarium tool is a cheap wheeled dolly to transport 5 gallon pails of water during water changes. I'm kicking myself for not getting one sooner. It makes things so much easier.

I use a turkey baster and a 5ml dropper.


I just got a dolly for my 32g Brute trashcan. Try carrying 30 gallon of water across the room (j/k )

 

[angelcraze]

I use a wheeled cart for my water change water. I like the dolly idea too though. I had considered large brute containers instead.

 

[DarkOne]

I was half serious. I bought a 50' roll of 3/4" ID tubing and cut it in 2 pieces, one for filling and one for draining. The piece to fill was about 5' short so I've been dragging the trashcan filled with 30 gallon of water about 5' across the kitchen floor. Rather than buy more tubing, I opted for the dolly as it could be more useful to move the trashcan around while filled. I just got the dolly yesterday so I haven't used it but it locks onto the bottom of the trashcan.

The pleco caves are a hit with my plecos . They seem to like the fry hide better than the caves. I need to make a fry hide for the one on the left.

 

[coralbandit]

I just got a dolly for my 32g Brute trashcan. Try carrying 30 gallon of water across the room (j/k )

Got 5 of the Rubbermaid carts for 32 g cans !
They do make moving water handy if that is your thing ...

 

[bigdreams]

Just made a discovery
Dollar store pipecleaners are like, the best to clean this part out of the aquaclear filter (I got a new pipe cleaner for photo purposes)

I have yet to clean the tubing on my three year old Aquaclear HOB.... :/

 

[Frisbee]

I have yet to clean the tubing on my three year old Aquaclear HOB.... :/

I have yet to clean the tubing on my 30 year old aquaclear, lol (that is more than twice as old as I am by the way, it was my dad's filter on his big cichlid tank before he married my mom and it just went down the line so now I have it on my tank and it still runs like a champ). Well, when I first set it up I did scrub it down, but I did have quite a bit of trouble getting in the tubing, I believe I used pipecleaner too, but they where cheap ones that didn't do the job very well.

 

[kallililly1973]

Not sure I mentioned these in my original post but... Water bottle caps.. I cut an X in them and push stem plants through them to bury my plants in the substrate ( pool filter sand ) when my goofy corys go dive bombing the newly planted areas

 

[bitseriously]

Funny the more I think about this thread, the more I realize I have new items to add.
1. These utility clips are in use almost daily for holding hose to tank rI'm for filling or draining, and also for floating fish bags for in-tank acclimation (or in bucket for drip acclimation).

2. This high-tech magical device I call bent-spoon. LOL I use it for slowing water that I'm pouring into small tanks (just like bartenders use spoons for layered drinks). I also used it when I raised adf tadpoles, it's really useful to gently lift slow-moving babies out of their jars on washing/water change day. The spoon is small serving spoon size, larger than a soup spoon.

3. These little kiddie cups are also used daily. Water change for betta tank; thawing bloodworms or other frozen treats, lifting sponges and prefilters out of tank for rinsing, without all the particles dripping into tank on the way out.

4. Half the replies here are in favour of turkey basters. Mine got left on the hot stove one day, and has a perfect curve that allows me to shoot water (or bloodworms or bbs) across the surface of the tank on frozen foods day, and is also optimized for squirting solid waste out of various unreachable corners on vacuum day.

 

[JenC]

These utility clips are in use almost daily for holding hose to tank rI'm for filling or draining

Ha! Those look much better than the potato chip bag clips I use.

 

[FergusDaFish]

I am currently using a 2" binder clip to clip my quarantine tank inside my 20G - the clip is above the waterline so the metal pieces don't rust into the tanks. I used to have more than I could count laying around my house but when I needed one for the Q-tank last week I had the hardest time finding any.

I keep meaning to get plastic ones but I'm forgetful AF.

 

[bitseriously]

Electric switches!!!

These go in the wall socket and your pump, filter or whatever goes into the switch. I use it during water changes, where my setup involves filling buckets in the sink, and pumping from the buckets to to the tanks. The switch is way faster and safer than yanking on cords, which usually involves two hands because all of my tanks are on power tops or power bars.

This one (below) is even easier, and smaller, and is also permanent. It’s a cheap roller on/off switch that is very simple to install in an existing two prong cord. I have it installed on a canister filter, and it makes turning off the spray bar for feeding super simple, and I don’t have to worry about losing the plug in the mess of wires beside the fish rack.

 

[DarkOne]

I've been using these switches for a lot of my filters:


I also have a bunch of these 3 outlet blocks after the switch for multiple filters.


Careful with those roller switches. They can't handle too much power. There's bigger rocker switches that are better but they're permanent.

 

[Ravynn]

Electric switches!!!

Where did you buy this one? I tried looking at the Canadian Tire website but couldn't find any.

 

[bitseriously]

Where did you buy this one? I tried looking at the Canadian Tire website but couldn't find any.

I think both were home despot.

 

[H2O Concierge]

Electric switches!!!

These go in the wall socket and your pump, filter or whatever goes into the switch. I use it during water changes, where my setup involves filling buckets in the sink, and pumping from the buckets to to the tanks. The switch is way faster and safer than yanking on cords, which usually involves two hands because all of my tanks are on power tops or power bars.

This one (below) is even easier, and smaller, and is also permanent. It’s a cheap roller on/off switch that is very simple to install in an existing two prong cord. I have it installed on a canister filter, and it makes turning off the spray bar for feeding super simple, and I don’t have to worry about losing the plug in the mess of wires beside the fish rack.

I am sure you do, but aways have a drip loop.

 

[bitseriously]

I am sure you do, but aways have a drip loop.

That is always good advice! One advantage of the rack in the basement is that I wired in a wall socket at approx shoulder height, and my power bar is screwed to the wall just below that. So all the plugs are connected at about 4' above ground. I don't even have to think about drip loops, in reality.

 

[angelcraze]

That is always good advice! One advantage of the rack in the basement is that I wired in a wall socket at approx shoulder height, and my power bar is screwed to the wall just below that. So all the plugs are connected at about 4' above ground. I don't even have to think about drip loops, in reality.

This is what I did as well in my fishroom. Makes it so easy to get to the AC plug.

 

[HairyCatFish]

I love those Electric switches and switch blocks. I don't have any myself but I use something similar: I use a separate 6 outlet surge protector just for my Canister, HOB and sponge filter. It has a switch on the side that allows me to turn all my filters off whenever I need to.

Just a word of advice from a veteran electrician: However I do not recommend the roller switch or anything that requires you to have to cut into the cord on your Canister or HOB filter. Besides the fire and safety implications, I'm almost certain that it would automatically void the warranty if anything were to go bad with your expensive Canister or HOB filter. Also make sure any plugs, switches, cords you buy are UL rated and not Made in China junk.
Just thought this needed mentioning.

 

[Samanthaljay]

I would like to add to my original comment. One of my most use tools is absolutely my 3 step step-stool. I can't reach inside the tank without it. Can't believe it slipped my mind when I posted before lol

 

[bitseriously]

The tank I keep at work is filtered by a new Seachem Tidal 55. The matrix bio media comes in a zippered mesh bag, but that bag, IMO, catches way too much mulm and physical particles. I had to rinse it pretty much weekly to keep the “I’m getting clogged” indicator button from popping up.
Enter: garlic mesh bag.

It’s the perfect size to hold all the biomedia included with the filter. I zip tied the top closed (cause really, how often do you need to open it?), and it’s working great. Oddly, even thought the original (finer) mesh bag seemed to catch/grow tons of gunk, I’m not seeing the tank or substrate be any dirtier since changing to this coarser mesh.

 

[BRP]

A mesh bag with pebble stones to weigh down wood that doesn't want to sink yet.
A rock isn't safe as it can roll from the wood and hit the glass. The mesh bag folds itself around the wood and stays in place.

 

[Elkwatcher]

Syringes !! - especially insulin syringe for measuring Prime water conditioner. I only have a 10 gallon tank so my weehly water changes are only about 2 gallons & need 2/10 of milliliter of product.

If it helps Bob I use 3 gtts Prime to a 1 gal bucket when I'm WC'ing my 10 gal. Your method is good too! Cheers!

 

[FishMommer]

Just remembered the other day as I was doing things, magnifying glass, plastic bags from stores for "wet things" and my kid's calendars. Although I try to stick to the same day on maintenance, it doesn't always happen. So I jot down wc and/or now fert. dosages etc. as sometimes I forget with so much going on.

 

[kallililly1973]

I like using my dry erase board to keep track of my WC’s and ferts schedule rite it in with a sharpie then use the dry erase marker for ferts then get small cheap magnets to put in the box for the appropriate tank on WC day

 

[FishMommer]

Wow. Impressive. My girl is getting MTS too now. She mentioned last night after looking at her tank, that it would be nice to have more tanks for the fish she didn't get to get...