Unconventional ideas that work

[Zookeeper]

Guys we all have tried something unconventional on our setups ,some which work,some which fail.I was thinking it would be great to hear of ideas which actually worked out well.To start of with I was looking for a quiet pump to use as a return from my sump.Tried 3 or 4 pumps until I found a Laguna pond pump.This pump comes in a big bulky strainer basket, no problem I dumped the basket.This pump runs so quiety you cant even tell its running.So now I have a pond pump as my return .

 

[jacquesb]

Hi zookeeper - you mean like using Vodka to dose one's tank with, to encourage bacteria growth? ;-) Or perhaps like phat says - p in the tank ;-)

 

[irie ivan]

My favourite is exposing corals to air during water changes. Got a thread here somewhere about it.................
Lots of research still required, but I believe there are some merits, albeit rsiky!

 

[irie ivan]

Not quite unconventional, but surge devices/dump buckets, the mot overlooked yet efficient methods of creating flow for reef crest corals.

 

[ShaneW]

How bout having a thread for unconventional methods that didn't work, or maybe 'Don't try this at home'...I've got plenty of those

 

[Mike]

This one is from a UK forum some of you may be familiar with, it's worth pointing out that although it worked, you may want to research it before you try it (if you try it.)

http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=211460

 

[tyson_1]

usless experiments try t kill an aptasia by inserting sand into its mouth to block from eating and t strangle it

 

[Warr7207]

This one is from a UK forum some of you may be familiar with, it's worth pointing out that although it worked, you may want to research it before you try it (if you try it.)

Nitrate free-fall, 70 to 7 in just 14 days!!! - UltimateReef.com

Cat poo, OMG

 

[lanzo]

nope nothing yet, just the baked bicarb instead of the expensive ph buffer from lfs.

 

[Mekaeel]

using pratley putty to seal a corner of a leaking tank from the inside

 

[459b]

how big was the leak that you sealed? I didnt know it would stick to glass.

 

[Mekaeel]

small,about 2 drops a second.i didnt know myself that it will stick to glass.
by the way this is on a 60l tank (RO resevoir)

 

[Mike]

Cat poo, OMG

Yep, young Scoob is generally considered "unlucky" i even got a shock off his tank, just by standing near him

 

[Reef Maniac]

Tried 3 or 4 pumps until I found a Laguna pond pump.This pump comes in a big bulky strainer basket, no problem I dumped the basket.This pump runs so quiety you cant even tell its running.So now I have a pond pump as my return .

I've used two of them myself some years back, and they do work great

Just one word of warning - there used to be two types of Laguna pumps, the 'hobby' range and the 'pond' range (not sure if this is still the case...). The 'pond' range of pumps have small brass (I think) inserts (nuts) into which the casing screws are screwed - these could react with the salt water, and increase the copper level of the water.

I solved this problem by covering the nuts with silicone before screwing in the casing screws. Used these pumps for about 4 years without any problems, and still have them as backup pumps, nearly 10 years after buying them.

Hennie