Satisfying and Effective - share some random tips

[hamfist]

Get a 2.5ml syringe and half the test volume & no of drops for API ammonia & nitrate. Not even being tight, just means they run out more in line with pH & Nitrite

I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this !

 

[valevelo]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this !

Bad enough collecting High pH test bottles without using the others at twice the speed

 

[nijat11]

One more, when cleaning with magnet, apply some water on glass, it will make process much easier.

 

[Fluxtor]

Forgot to add, MTS is your essential weapon against cynobacteria which occurs in anerobic areas of aquarium

MTS?

 

[Marcia]

Using a puppy training mat to protect the floor when doing water change or maintenance is more absorbent than towels. And it’s anti-slip too.

 

[ValleyMykel]

Remembering to scrub the caked on rich dirt on rocks you source from bypass/runoff canals before putting them in the aquarium is a great way to prevent algae issues. (speaking from recent experience)

 

[simon_the_plant_nerd]

This is not the type of tip I want to hear! 😛

Even if you're right...

I have heard this tip many times and have ignored it just as much. It’s not that I don’t think it would be beneficial, I just don’t want to do it.

 

[Bradders]

I have heard this tip many times and have ignored it just as much. It’s not that I don’t think it would be beneficial, I just don’t want to do it.

I understand that. The mess, gunk and complete saturation of gunk is pretty bad when doing it!

 

[simon_the_plant_nerd]

Remembering to scrub the caked on rich dirt on rocks you source from bypass/runoff canals before putting them in the aquarium is a great way to prevent algae issues. (speaking from recent experience)

I did the opposite with my shrimp tank (I cleaned nothing!) and ended up with lots of cool stuff in my tank.

 

[richardcunliffe]

MTS?

Ha this confused me for a bit too until I saw another thread with more context. Still, I think having more tanks is also a valid way to dilute your worries about algae in just one of them, even if it does potentially mean less time to combat algae in the first place...

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

MTS?

malaysian trumpet snails. they dig through the substrate and come out at night

I think we have a <"Mineralised Top Soil"> (MTS) thread that <"caused some confusion">. The there is also "Multiple Tank Syndrome" (MTS) <"help with translation 'MTS'">.

I'm thinking of a new post something along the lines of.......

I have MTS, and MTS has a problem with MTS ............

As clear as mud (or non-mineralised top soil).

Also you can't search for three letter words (or acronyms) on UKAPS, so no-one will ever be able find this post again.

cheers Darrel

 

[Spartacus]

I use a syringe with a 10cm blunt needle for dosing liquids into the tank. Being a blunt needle I have not managed to stab myself yet but early days 😀

Also found some plastic clamps to be invaluable for holding water change hose / drip acclimatisation pipe. Enough force to stay still without being excessive - Means you dont have to call the other half to switch off the tap during a water change when you realise you cant leave without risk of flooding the floor 😀

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfcraft-FZH-40-Spring-Clamp/dp/B003CRM14Q?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

IKEA do a bedside cabinet available in two sizes that is a nice cheap and cheerful storage system for inside the cabinet. Name is KNARREVIK I have attached a photo 😊



Finally if you take some airline tubing and two L connectors you can make a floating plant barrier 🙂

 

[Guest]

Remembering to scrub the caked on rich dirt on rocks you source from bypass/runoff canals before putting them in the aquarium is a great way to prevent algae issues. (speaking from recent experience)

Dirt, is dirt which is dirt.

Try your best, water change the rest.

 

[Bradders]

Try your best, water change the rest.

I didnt know you were a poet?

 

[MarcusA]

When you’re painting something, the tricky part is naturally the edges. You either load up the brush and end up with paint where you don’t want it or you keep the brush fairly dry and it takes forever. The trick is to load up the brush and draw a thick even smear parallel to the edge about 1-2 inches away from it. Then use that as your paint supply. Push the paint from the smear to the edge. It gives you a nice steady supply to work with but not as too much.
This video shows how:
It makes painting stands and such so much easier.

 

[Marcia]

IKEA do a bedside cabinet available in two sizes that is a nice cheap and cheerful storage system for inside the cabinet. Name is KNARREVIK I have attached a photo 😊

Oh I like that storage system, yours look very organised. Is there a thread about “show us inside your cabinet” or something like that? I know there is one for maintenance trolleys 👍

 

[ianmianmianm]

Ceramic media rings (the white ones) make pretty good planting weights.

 

[ianmianmianm]

One more, when cleaning with magnet, apply some water on glass, it will make process much easier.

I guess that means the outside. I already do on the inside.

 

[Gill]

I feed all my fish the Hikari Cichlid/Gold/algae/carnivore Sticks.
I used an empty pink salt grinder and added it all to the jar, and just grind it all into the tank as a extra feed in the afternoon.

 

[Gill]

if you want those teeny precise pruning scissors. Just go to the tool section of your hardware store, they will have them, for a few quid.

Scaping tool set - Search for the brand YNR much much cheaper.
Reptile supplies are alot cheaper than scaping supplies and also look in the medical supplies section of ebay and amazon.. alot of the same stuff in there.
The christmas light suction holders work well as spares for your internal filter suctions cups.