DIY projects

For some reason, no matter what tank I set up, people invariably ask me "where is the woodwork" or "when are you going to do the woodwork" or any other compilation of such words... it's almost a running joke going way way back to 2005.

Woodwork is nice, and hides all the equipment. The bright lights are shuttered behind panels or doors, and the finished look is quite appealing. That being said, it never has been a pressing issue to me. Perhaps my reasonings are merely excuses but ...

The newer version of the Marineland 400g came with a lowered water line than previously. The black plastic trim didn't hide it this time, and my preference is to keep that invisible. A few months ago, in anticipation of this situation, I ordered some flat black vinyl strips to apply to the tank once it was setup and running.

I didn't want to ruin the vinyl during the process of adding sand, rock and livestock, but now that everything is in the tank, it was high time to get it done. ...

It's official, the tank is out of the house. Prior to everyone's arrival, I built a quick 8' pallet out of landscape timbers, 1x material, and some wafer decking.







Installing 2x4s under the ...

It is always a challenge to add new fish to an established reef, primarily because of territorial issues. Each fish in the tank has already picked out their favorite haunt, and they are not prepared to share space with a newcomer. As hobbyists, we always try to come up with ways that might work: dump them in and pray, add them after lights out, introduce many at once (shock and awe), or put them in a section divided off from the rest of the reef.

Several years ago, a friend of mine ...

The one task I truly hate is cleaning filter socks. When I built my new sump for the 400g, I included a filter sock hanger and purchased four socks to rotate through as needed. These are the large 7" filter socks, not the smaller 4" type.

As they get dirty, I pull them out of the sump and place them in a container near the back door, and usually the next day they are put outside to be cleaned later. Well, I had one out there. A few weeks later I had another dirty sock sitting ...