What is your most valuable aquarium device/tool? - Aquarium Advice

newhobbist · 04-23-2005, 08:02 AM

What are devices/tools that you use for your aquarium (for, feeding, maintenance, etc.) that, in your opinion, is "must have" for every aquarium keeper?
I will start with my 2-month experience in this hobby:
1. PYTHON siphon: Though it took me some time to figure out how to use it for sucking water out of the tank, it is a "must have" for everyone, who owns a tank bigger than 20g. Having a bucket for emergency in contrast to using it for every water change is a relief.
2. MAG-FLOAT floating magnetic aquarium cleaner. I bought a bunch of scrapers, cleaning pads, and other tools to clean the glass, but all of it sits in a corner of a cabinet since a large MAG-FLOAT does great job without any mess.

Blazeherd2306 · 04-23-2005, 08:10 AM

1.MAG-FLOAT because they're easy to use and they float so that you can easily take it out of the tank.

2.Battery operated air pumps especially if you live in an area where power goes out a lot of times.

Jchillin · 04-23-2005, 08:21 AM

Ditto
1. Python. I change 30-40 gallons of water weekly. I'd be lost without it.
2. Master Test Kit (AP) - What decent aquarist could do without a test kit?

kaaikop · 04-23-2005, 08:46 AM

The Python for sure is a must (150g), but as I just "planted" my tank, I am very
greatful to my "long reach tongs". The tank is 27" deep, sure was handy!

fishyrican · 04-23-2005, 08:49 AM

Double ditto.

1. Python
2. Test Kit - may have to buy separate test for nitrates.
3. I also keep a log on each tank. That way I can keep track of what I've done, when I bought fish/equipment, etc... as well as help me track when my fish are not acting normal. I have excellent memory, it just doesn't last very long, so I need all the help I can get to remember what I've done.

jsoong · 04-23-2005, 03:26 PM

Towels! Lots of 'em .... I always make a mess when I do any maintanance!

fisch · 04-23-2005, 04:13 PM

1. My timer for my lights. I never forget to turn them on or off.
2 Towels. I too make quite a mess when doing maintanance.

sawallace · 04-23-2005, 04:19 PM

Python

For planted tanks:
A good ml dropper
Digital pH meter
Test kits for Nitrate, Phosphate, kH, gH, [acronym:5a0101b494="Calcium"]ca[/acronym:5a0101b494]

catwumman · 04-23-2005, 04:35 PM

1. Python
2. Lots of towels
3. Tile floor where aquarium is located
4. Canister filter

**An t-iasg** · 04-23-2005, 04:36 PM

Lots of towels! -- and a plastic dropcloth to cover my hardwood floors

A fish-only measuring cup (to boil veggies)

A digital thermometer -- from the kitchen store

A bucket clip (my tank is too small for a python) so this clip keeps the gravel vac tube from jumping out of the bucket. But yes, it happened once and made a mess before I got the clip!

Regular drinking straws -- to easily get just the right amount of water to do a test!

04-23-2005, 08:02 AM	#1
newhobbist Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 177	What is your most valuable aquarium device/tool? What are devices/tools that you use for your aquarium (for, feeding, maintenance, etc.) that, in your opinion, is "must have" for every aquarium keeper? I will start with my 2-month experience in this hobby: 1. PYTHON siphon: Though it took me some time to figure out how to use it for sucking water out of the tank, it is a "must have" for everyone, who owns a tank bigger than 20g. Having a bucket for emergency in contrast to using it for every water change is a relief. 2. MAG-FLOAT floating magnetic aquarium cleaner. I bought a bunch of scrapers, cleaning pads, and other tools to clean the glass, but all of it sits in a corner of a cabinet since a large MAG-FLOAT does great job without any mess. __________________ 72g bowfront with Emperor 400: Gouramis: 1 Opaline, 1 Gold, 1 Dwarf Bolivian Ram, German Blue Ram, Kribensis 1 Black and 1 Lyretail Mollies, Swordtail Purple Spotted Gudgeon, Pictus Cat Gold Nugget Pleco, Rainbow Shark, Silver Dollar 6 Harlequin Rasboras, 6 Long-Finned Zebra Danios, 3 Cardinal Tetras Plants: Banana plant

04-23-2005, 08:21 AM	#3
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	Ditto 1. Python. I change 30-40 gallons of water weekly. I'd be lost without it. 2. Master Test Kit (AP) - What decent aquarist could do without a test kit? __________________ _________________________________

04-23-2005, 08:49 AM	#5
fishyrican Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 642	Double ditto. 1. Python 2. Test Kit - may have to buy separate test for nitrates. 3. I also keep a log on each tank. That way I can keep track of what I've done, when I bought fish/equipment, etc... as well as help me track when my fish are not acting normal. I have excellent memory, it just doesn't last very long, so I need all the help I can get to remember what I've done. __________________ Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it. -Pericles Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of Liberty -JFK

04-23-2005, 03:26 PM	#6
jsoong Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 1,894	Towels! Lots of 'em .... I always make a mess when I do any maintanance! __________________ 75 gal FW with 30 gal DIY wet/dry/sump. 9 fancy golds, 1 hillstream loaches, 1 rubber-lip pleco (C. thomasi), 3 SAEs, planted.

04-23-2005, 04:13 PM	#7
fisch Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 38	1. My timer for my lights. I never forget to turn them on or off. 2 Towels. I too make quite a mess when doing maintanance. __________________ 30 [acronym:ddb515a691="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ddb515a691] - 11 cardinals, 8 black neons, ~15 pygmy cories, 2 otos 6 [acronym:ddb515a691="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ddb515a691] - clown pleco 10 [acronym:ddb515a691="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ddb515a691] - 11 platies 5.5 [acronym:ddb515a691="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:ddb515a691] - male betta

04-23-2005, 08:10 AM	#2
Blazeherd2306 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2004 Location: U.S. Posts: 1,723 Images: 5	1.MAG-FLOAT because they're easy to use and they float so that you can easily take it out of the tank. 2.Battery operated air pumps especially if you live in an area where power goes out a lot of times.

04-23-2005, 08:46 AM	#4
kaaikop Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 221 Images: 9	The Python for sure is a must (150g), but as I just "planted" my tank, I am very greatful to my "long reach tongs". The tank is 27" deep, sure was handy!

04-23-2005, 04:19 PM	#8
sawallace Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Southern CA Posts: 20	Python For planted tanks: A good ml dropper Digital pH meter Test kits for Nitrate, Phosphate, kH, gH, [acronym:5a0101b494="Calcium"]ca[/acronym:5a0101b494]

04-23-2005, 04:35 PM	#9
catwumman Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 24	1. Python 2. Lots of towels 3. Tile floor where aquarium is located 4. Canister filter

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