What tools and techniques do you use?

[busybones]

Have some great ideas? Here are some things that make my fishkeeping easier..you may already use them..Please share what ideas you have!


When doing water changes I use a Lazer Temp gun to get my new water temps dead on my current tank water temps! My husband uses the gun to test the temps of his reptile tanks..P.S..my GSP's will chase the red dot...it's too funny. You can pick these up at lowes, walmart, ebay ect. they are for testing cold spots in your house. The temp reading is instant.



When adding the water back into the tank I use a cooking strainer to slow down the water and to keep my decor in place. You can get different sizes that fit the tops of the tank perfectly!



I don't like using chemicals around my tanks. So when cleaning the outside of the tank I mix a bottle of vinegar water...Take an empty spray bottle, fill about 1/4 of the way full of white vinegar, then fill the rest with tap water. This cleans just as good as windex, is cheaper, and safer!

[pufferpuggirl]

Do you also use newspaper to wipe the outside of your aquarium glass with? Works wonders, my Grandfather used to swear by it and in fact, when I'm cleaning any glass or mirrors, I always use newspaper, it works much better than paper towels.

Since I have so many tanks, it's not always easy to take the filter back to the kitchen to clean it, so I keep a measuring cup with me and I've got a pair of tweezers that I use for removing impellers out, and then I've got an old toothbrush that I use for cleaning the impeller or anything else that needs a good brushing. The tweezers are just right for pulling those tiny impellers out, would be lost without them.

[busybones]

Do you also use newspaper to wipe the outside of your aquarium glass with? Works wonders, my Grandfather used to swear by it and in fact, when I'm cleaning any glass or mirrors, I always use newspaper, it works much better than paper towels.

No I don't use any newspaper ( i don't get the paper at my house or I would) but I've used them before...works great!

[LilGreenPuffer]

I use toothpicks for feeding and cleaning out little nooks and crannies. They're ridiculously handy.

[Lil' Swimz$]

I use a turkey baster for sucking up debris.

[busybones]

That's a great idea Lil' Swimz$ i'm going to pick me up one next time i'm out!

[LilGreenPuffer]

I hear that they're great for planted tanks when you'd suck up the substrate or get too much mulm out with a siphon. With the baster, you can just grab the big stuff and leave the little stuff to fertilize the plants.