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Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:25 pm
by LilGreenPuffer
Plastic craft canvas is about the handiest thing ever for a fishkeeper to have around.

It's the stuff that looks like this:
Image
(Not my picture.)

And you're supposed to use it to make these ugly things:
Image
(Not my picture.)

But instead, you can use it to make cheap and sturdy tank dividers (directions here: http://www.ultimatebettas.com/index.php ... 10124&st=0):
Image
(Yes, that's my tank; please excuse the water spots.)

Or cover large holes in the back of tank hoods:
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(Also my tank.)

Or a cave for your fish to hide in, or a breeder box net, by "sewing" the edges of separate pieces together with fishing line.

It's absurdly cheap stuff (a couple dollars for several large sheets), and so multipurpose. (And a tank divider that actually works is so much better than a Kleenex box with reindeer.)

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:39 pm
by L!$A
You can also get what is called egg crate, and it is incredibly sturdy, very easy to cut and can be found at any hardware store :)

Image

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 7:42 pm
by Flutter
What do you cut your egg crate with?

We've wanted to get some but have nothing to cut it with. We need a lid that'll let lots of light in but prevent fish from jumping out.

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:02 pm
by LilGreenPuffer
I bet egg crate is very useful for larger fish and tanks. I definitely work on a smaller scale!

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 10:48 am
by L!$A
Yeah for sure LGP, it is very sturdy, & comes in a large sheet, but you can cut it to any size.

Flutter we just used scissors, but needlenose pliers would work best, and you want to be sure you get all the little pieces cut properly so the edge is smooth (well as smooth as you can get it) its pretty easy to work with, we had it dividing our 90 gallon for a short period when we had a teacup stingray in the tank.

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:58 pm
by JoseDepacos
Theres no excuse for water spots. Go take a shower and wash off the shame. :P

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 2:30 pm
by LilGreenPuffer
JoseDepacos wrote:Theres no excuse for water spots. Go take a shower and wash off the shame. :P
Thbbbpt.

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 5:53 pm
by bazil323
It's also great for creating a corral to keep your floating plants in one spot and to protect them from a strong filter output.

Or making a moss wall.

I've seen egg crate used to help support/spread out the weight of large rock formations in, for example, cichlid tanks.

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 5:57 pm
by Pufferpunk
JoseDepacos wrote:Theres no excuse for water spots. Go take a shower and wash off the shame. :P
C'mon woman, you're a Mod now--don't embarass me! :badboy:

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 6:29 pm
by Woodbutcher
Flutter wrote:What do you cut your egg crate with?

We've wanted to get some but have nothing to cut it with. We need a lid that'll let lots of light in but prevent fish from jumping out.

Cut mine on the table saw, then sand it on a tabletop belt sander. :) ( Woodworking tools......they are handy around aquariums ) :lol:

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 6:35 pm
by Pufferpunk
I just used wire cutters.

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 7:10 pm
by Rusty
I heard there was a new television series coming out this fall MacDiver. It follows a fishkeeper and his crazy DIY solutions. :lol:

Re: Plastic canvas - multipurpose, great to have around

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 2:38 pm
by LilGreenPuffer
Pufferpunk wrote:
JoseDepacos wrote:Theres no excuse for water spots. Go take a shower and wash off the shame. :P
C'mon woman, you're a Mod now--don't embarass me! :badboy:
It's pretty decent now, actually. I need to take some new pictures.