Products good to have on hand

Sk8r · 11/05/2019, 02:27 PM

1. Polyfilter. A resined pad that can be cut with scissors, that turns color based on what contaminant it's absorbing. Think something bad got into your tank? A snip of this may resolve IF and WHAT. It's both a test and an actual remover, primarily of metals, but also other things. It can solve a general snit-fit by soft coral, as it also absorbs organics.

2. eggcrate lighting grid---can be cut into any shape as a barrier, or as a light-admitting lid. I also put it under my rockwork before adding sand, so that 'point load' of a sharp rock won't rest directly on my bottom glass. Prevents rocks turning and dumping a landslide against your front glass while building, too.

3. carbon. The answer to many kinds of pollution. When anything goes wrong with your tank, 'run carbon' is one of the first suggestions, especially when you have no clue. It absorbs medicines and organics.

4. plastic needlepoint canvas (from hobby stores: you may have to ask) a mesh that can be cut with scissors and stitched with fishing line to make boxes, screens, or otherwise keep fish out of intakes.

5. nitrile gloves: because not everything is safe to pick up. And, very important, the more times you get stung the more sensitive you may get to it. It can be a hobby-ending problem. Wear these.

6. Prime. Also Amquel. It's a chlorine removing water conditioner that can also make a just -bleached piece of equipment ready to go safely in, and it can also get that chlorine reek off your hands. You can also use it to create safe saltwater out of tap water. In a qt or hospital tank, tap water is ok after conditioning.

7. salt. At least enough for a really big water change. Murphy's law says that disaster will strike on some holiday when you can't get any.

8. old towels: many. Water happens. Sometimes a lot of it. Knowing where a stack of towels reliably resides may save your life---or your marriage.

9. a polystyrene bucket. Because you sometimes need one really badly. Buying 50 lbs of salt can get you a 'free' one that's quite good.

10. a battery-driven Penn-plax pump with air hose and bubbler. This can save your tank if your power goes out.

Oldreeferman · 11/05/2019, 06:22 PM

Good list!
Only thing ill add is large high quality zip type locking baggies and ALWAYS keep ice ready during summer. Reason is, i lost power this last summer & it was almost 100 degrees outside so I put ice cubes in the baggies & placed a bag in ea tank to keep the temps down. Along with battery bubblers going all was fine.
Just glad i was at home that day, i think power tripped due to everyone using excessive A/C at the time in my area.

hkgar · 11/06/2019, 01:21 PM

+ 1 on the towels. Floods happen and I know you take every precaution but Murphy lives.

Good list, may I add nets?

billdogg · 11/08/2019, 12:12 PM

a spare heater or two, and also an extra power head. Both tend to fail on holiday weekends when the stores are all closed.

mcgyvr · 11/08/2019, 03:12 PM

Beer

billdogg · 11/09/2019, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Beer

And beer.

Or other adult beverages of choice. Right now, that means Scotch for me

hkgar · 11/09/2019, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

And beer.

Or other adult beverages of choice. Right now, that means Scotch for me

+1 on the Scotch

Dmorty217 · 11/10/2019, 11:21 AM

Bourbon and meds like praziquantel and chloroquine phosphate O.R. copper power if the said fish does not tolerate the Chloroquine

monkeysee1 · 11/10/2019, 07:12 PM

11. a simple LED strip in case your main one over your tank kraps the bed!!

11/05/2019, 02:27 PM	#1
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Products good to have on hand 1. Polyfilter. A resined pad that can be cut with scissors, that turns color based on what contaminant it's absorbing. Think something bad got into your tank? A snip of this may resolve IF and WHAT. It's both a test and an actual remover, primarily of metals, but also other things. It can solve a general snit-fit by soft coral, as it also absorbs organics. 2. eggcrate lighting grid---can be cut into any shape as a barrier, or as a light-admitting lid. I also put it under my rockwork before adding sand, so that 'point load' of a sharp rock won't rest directly on my bottom glass. Prevents rocks turning and dumping a landslide against your front glass while building, too. 3. carbon. The answer to many kinds of pollution. When anything goes wrong with your tank, 'run carbon' is one of the first suggestions, especially when you have no clue. It absorbs medicines and organics. 4. plastic needlepoint canvas (from hobby stores: you may have to ask) a mesh that can be cut with scissors and stitched with fishing line to make boxes, screens, or otherwise keep fish out of intakes. 5. nitrile gloves: because not everything is safe to pick up. And, very important, the more times you get stung the more sensitive you may get to it. It can be a hobby-ending problem. Wear these. 6. Prime. Also Amquel. It's a chlorine removing water conditioner that can also make a just -bleached piece of equipment ready to go safely in, and it can also get that chlorine reek off your hands. You can also use it to create safe saltwater out of tap water. In a qt or hospital tank, tap water is ok after conditioning. 7. salt. At least enough for a really big water change. Murphy's law says that disaster will strike on some holiday when you can't get any. 8. old towels: many. Water happens. Sometimes a lot of it. Knowing where a stack of towels reliably resides may save your life---or your marriage. 9. a polystyrene bucket. Because you sometimes need one really badly. Buying 50 lbs of salt can get you a 'free' one that's quite good. 10. a battery-driven Penn-plax pump with air hose and bubbler. This can save your tank if your power goes out. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/05/2019, 06:22 PM	#2
Oldreeferman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NW Indiana Valparaiso Posts: 505	Good list! Only thing ill add is large high quality zip type locking baggies and ALWAYS keep ice ready during summer. Reason is, i lost power this last summer & it was almost 100 degrees outside so I put ice cubes in the baggies & placed a bag in ea tank to keep the temps down. Along with battery bubblers going all was fine. Just glad i was at home that day, i think power tripped due to everyone using excessive A/C at the time in my area. __________________ Montipora Digitas, Cyphastrea, Blastos, different Leptoseris, Green Stylo, GSP, gorgonions, Ricordea mushrooms, psammocoras, Birdsnest coral, Clownfish, Watchman goby, Royal gamma. Current Tank Info: Nano Reef tank

11/06/2019, 01:21 PM	#3
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	+ 1 on the towels. Floods happen and I know you take every precaution but Murphy lives. Good list, may I add nets? __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

11/08/2019, 12:12 PM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	a spare heater or two, and also an extra power head. Both tend to fail on holiday weekends when the stores are all closed. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/08/2019, 03:12 PM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Beer __________________ Who me?

11/10/2019, 11:21 AM	#8
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Bourbon and meds like praziquantel and chloroquine phosphate O.R. copper power if the said fish does not tolerate the Chloroquine __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

11/10/2019, 07:12 PM	#9
monkeysee1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: MERRIMACK NH Posts: 423	11. a simple LED strip in case your main one over your tank kraps the bed!! __________________ Your "fair share" is not in my wallet; it's in my fish tank!! Current tank info: 90 Gallon saltwater 10 fish with a few inverts; NO CORALS! Tried to go reef; didn't work out so hot; FOWLR's for me!