Things we take for granted
 

I thought that it would be a good idea to start a thread where people post information about things that they assume everyone else knows.
this way, we can pass on information to those who might not know.
there are is alot of knowledge within the members of canreef and to me this is what it is all about..sharing info.
It can be anything..
As an exapmle, everyone might want to know that you can get unseasoned sushi wrap..aka..dried algae at superstore for like 3.50 for 20 sheets...which is much much better than the 1.00 or so a sheet that a lot of the pet stores like to charge. It is in the oriental section.
I have been feeding it to my tanks for well over 6 months with no known ill effects.
if anyone know different about this please let me know cause unless otherwise told, I am going to continue to save myself money and feed my fish sushi wrap verses dried algae.
so yea, get in the christmas spirit and give those little-known or well-known secrets away.
Looking forward to what people pass on
thanks
Neal

Im pretty sure I bought those sushi wraps at the chinese supermarket in downtown lucky 97 i think its called for like 1.50 just in case any one was looking. Also you can get a large bag of sea food medley there for 2.00. I made two bags worth of homemade food(squid, shrimp, clams, octopus, and someother stuff in the bag) Ive been using it for 2 months now and havent even used up the first bag. Pretty good value I think. My fish love it.

I get my Sushi wrap from Fujia & the seafood mix & T&T superstore.

I have some in my cupboard. It is "roasted" but not flavoured. Would that be ok?

The brand is Yakinori "Silver"

Thanks.....

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Some people may not know about the two part Alk buffer that you can make at home from Baking soda. It cheep and it works.

So...dont keep me in suspense..The recipe

Thanks

richy44
roasted is fine, in fact, I think they are all roasted.
just check the ingredients to make sure nothing has been added
Neal

Things we take for granted: Hydro!

I was out for 15 hours and it was a stressful hell worrying about the tank. Couldn't imagine being one of those unlucky people that were out longer, I feel for them.

You can also save money on refugium lighting by getting a clip-on lamp with a CFL 6500k Phillips Daylight bulb or an old-fashioned incandescent lighting unit, rather than getting more expensive PC or aquarium lighting.

Grows chaeto & other macro very well.

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Bake 1 box of baking soda at 300 degrees for an hour. This burns off 1 carbon atom creating a carbonate instead of a bi-carbonate. The result is that it raises PH where regular baking soda lowers it. You can now add 1 parts washing soda as it is now called, to 6 parts baking soda for a completely neutral 2 part ALK (carbonate hardness) buffer. Adjust your ratio accordingly to either raise or lower your Ph a bit.

Its that easy.

Do I take it out of the box first?

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:microwav:

Yes, I usually make a tray out of foil and then place it on a cookie sheet.

Good thread idea Neal. I'll pass one on here for ya's. Instead of going thru the hassle of getting a float switch for my quarantine tank (10gal). I went to a local veterinarian clinic and got from them a saline drip hose and adjuster thingy. You know the one I'm talkin about. I just put my water in an old 4l milk container, put it higher than my tank and adjusted the drip rate. It takes a bit of tinkering to get the right drip rate to equal the right evaporation rate, but it works great. Oh yeah, it was free! :mrgreen:

This bulb is more like 4100k to 5000k but yes it does grow macro very well.

bulb K
 

Most of them are at that K but there are the ones at 6500 K.

I just went and bought 2 of those bulbs this afternoon. The guy at home depot showed me the different color temps on a flourescent cover. They range from from? 3000 to 6500. The daylight is supposed to be 6500K acording to the chart on the flourescent tube cover. So I purchased 2.

On another note: I use a "Nutrition Bag" with the drip adjuster to dose my tank with CA and ALK. I got mine at the local pharmacy. When I told them it was for a Marine Aquarium they gave it to me..

Richy.............

this is what I hoped would come from this thread.
cool..
keep passing on those ideas so that we can all benefit.
Another one from me is if you mix some kalk and water together to make a watery mix and throw in some flake food..viola you have joe's juice at a 10th of the cost.
works great.

If you can find 5100K go for that, it will grow macro (especially chaeto) the best.

I made some pretty effective 24 inch reflectors for my power compact actinics by buying furnace ducts (halfpipe) for 3 bucks each and polishing them with auto rubbing compound. Instant polished aluminum.

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Any time I'm acquiring strange devices for a DYI project the store staff usually look at me funny, and chuckle.:wink:

I got 50 sheet packs, used 1 sheet and through them out. where can you find some that doesn't fall apart so fast.. Personaly I think it is worth it to spend the extra few bucks on seaweed selects or what ever brand.

Steve

I find my fish devour it far before it starts falling apart.
I also put into my invert tanks for everything to munch on as well.
I go through alot so the few extra bucks for a few sheets would add up to quite a bit of money.
if you only go through a bit, then I can understand.

I've used the old home rolled smokers trick of keeping the sheets in a sealed coffee can with a wedge of raw potato. Keeps it moist and fresh far far longer.

Here's a tip I will share...
 

Have an outbreak of ich & don't have a QT tank? Or maybe you just have 10 gal but you have too many fish to all fit in it? Or maybe you want to QT a new fish before going in your main tank?

Most people think they have to use a glass tank. NOPE. You can pickup a 30 gal + rubbermaid storage container at any Walmart for about $5 bucks! NOTE: Make sure this rubbermaid container does not have anti bacteria, anti mold on the label. Usually it's only the more expensive, but just be sure.

It's easier to setup & tear down. More room for your fish too. Also the bigger the container the less likely your water will hit ammonia like a 10 gal will. You can add a air stone, heater, aqua clear or if you have a skimmer and your all set! You can perform Hyposalinity treatment or just monitor your new addition before it goes into the main tank. I find that the dark blue containers work best and the fish are more relaxed cause they have more privacy, since you can only see them from the top. It's also cheap to do!

PLEASE NOTE: NEVER do copper treament in the rubbermaid, as copper absorbs into the plastic. Only Hyposalinity treatment (dropping salinity slowly) can be performed. Also you can do tub transfers to cure Marine Velvet. This consists of having several rubbermaid containers, transfering after a few days into new ones, leaving container dark. ASk for more details if you need.

So no more stressing you dont have a QT tank or that u can't afford to buy one.


Hope this helps someone! Season greetings everyone!

I feed my Puffer Raw Shrimp 50-60 counts from Safeway and it's cheaper then those frozen food from Pet shop. Just wait until the discount day and you get to buy 1 and get 1 free =) which I stock a lot of raw shrimp.. feed my fish and myself too =)