lesser reef-keeping tools

[Noctem]

Figured I'd post some of the lesser equipment that makes my reef keeping easier.

Turkey Baster: Real handy for catching small critters for observation. Also can deliver target feeding of anything liquid.

5/8" rigid airline tube: The diameter is only important in as much as your thumb should be able to cover the end of it. That way you can use it to catch stuff too quick for the turkey baster. (put your thumb over the top, push it into the water and then move your thumb) I use it to suck the hermit crabs off my turbo snails (sometimes they try to hijack a shell) and to prod my Long Spine Black Urchin away from where I need to clean. I can also be used for target feeding as long as the food will sink down it.

Old box filter: The hang on tank variety, nano tanks can take out the filter pad and plop a wad of cheatomorpha in for a mini fuge! (you didn't throw out the old whisper from the freshwater tank did you?)

Toothbrush: Unused! Cheap, disposable, and handy for clearing hard to reach intakes of whatever has clogged them. An absolute must if you have (dun dun DUN) hair algae...

[Travis]

Cool idea!!

Credit Card-- Cleans coralline safely.

Old water bottle-- Easy DIY temporary filter. Works great when you're cleaning off hair algae and need a way to suck up and contain the algae.

[phillipm]

Figured I'd post some of the lesser equipment that makes my reef keeping easier.

Turkey Baster: Real handy for catching small critters for observation. Also can deliver target feeding of anything liquid.

5/8" rigid airline tube: The diameter is only important in as much as your thumb should be able to cover the end of it. That way you can use it to catch stuff too quick for the turkey baster. (put your thumb over the top, push it into the water and then move your thumb) I use it to suck the hermit crabs off my turbo snails (sometimes they try to hijack a shell) and to prod my Long Spine Black Urchin away from where I need to clean. I can also be used for target feeding as long as the food will sink down it.

Old box filter: The hang on tank variety, nano tanks can take out the filter pad and plop a wad of cheatomorpha in for a mini fuge! (you didn't throw out the old whisper from the freshwater tank did you?)

Toothbrush: Unused! Cheap, disposable, and handy for clearing hard to reach intakes of whatever has clogged them. An absolute must if you have (dun dun DUN) hair algae... :D

I have a 2ft plastic tube Iuse for the same purpose of uneaten food extraction. I plug a tooth brush handle into it to clean the powerhead intakes as well I also use it to irritate my Salakias Fasciatus by using it to drop small peaces of coral rubble into his shell home. He then picks them up & drops them on the other side of the tank & gives me a dirty look at the same time.