Go Back   Aquatic Plant Central > General Interest Forums > DIY Aquarium Projects
User Name
Password

Advertise on APC

DIY Aquarium Projects For those that are handy or looking to save some money, discuss your DIY aquarium projects here.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-08-2009, 12:17 AM   #1 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
ghengis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cairns, Australia.
Posts: 272
iTrader Ratings: 0
ghengis is a regular member
Plant Points: 15900
Default Excel Algae Brush

Just a little something I dreamed up the other day. Don't even know as to its effectiveness, just yet... But anyhoo. A little background. We all know the effectiveness of spot treating algae with Flourish Excel. Well I had been using the technique for a while, with great success, until I noticed the riccia below the algae affected area was starting to burn...obviously the Excel was just floating down and OD'ing the riccia. So I gave that idea away. Recently I had noticed the GHA starting to get a little prominent...not excessive, just annoying. So, I took my algae magnet (the rough half) and began scrubbing the affected rock, to little avail. That's when it hit me...I needed something that would dispense some Excel, very accurately, and make the most use of it before it was dispelled or floated away.

This is what I came up with.

Take one new, firm, toothbrush; a small syringe; some airline; and an airline elbow (note the elbow in the pic has had the end barb already sawn off)



In the back of the head of the t'brush, I drilled a pilot hole, followed by a hole just large enough to accomodate the elbow







Insert elbow...



...and attach syringe (with zip tie, for security)



Take measured dose of Excel. I usually dose 10ml daily, but the syringe will only take 5ml. The remaining 5ml was tipped straight into the tank.



...it is at this point that I became re-aquainted with gravity



...oooops!! So, I hastily removed the syringe, filled it separately and re-attached it.

Time for a test out! ...and for a very inquisitive Paradise Fish to see if the new thing is edible...



The idea is that I dispense just enough Excel as I work, scrubbing away on the affected rock. As I say, I don't even know if it will work, time will tell as to the effectiveness, but I like the idea and thought maybe someone here could use it too

Thanks for looking!

Last edited by ghengis : 11-08-2009 at 12:27 AM.
ghengis is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Advertisement [Remove Advertisement]

Old 11-08-2009, 01:57 AM   #2 (permalink)
Member
 
wearsbunnyslippers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Johannesburg - South Africa
Posts: 81
iTrader Ratings: 0
wearsbunnyslippers is a regular member
Plant Points: 5600
Default Re: Excel Algae Brush

that looks like a damn fine idea!
wearsbunnyslippers is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 02:08 PM   #3 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Near San Francisco
Posts: 508
iTrader Ratings: 0
Diana K is a regular member
Plant Points: 26150
Default Re: Excel Algae Brush

That looks like a great way to spot treat!
Diana K is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 03:36 PM   #4 (permalink)
Moderator
 
davemonkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posts: 2,743
iTrader Ratings: 20
iTrader Positive Rating: 100%
davemonkey is a regular member
Plant Points: 147000
Default Re: Excel Algae Brush

That is a really great idea!! You better get a patent on it.
davemonkey is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2009, 06:48 PM   #5 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Bunbuku's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Houston,TX
Posts: 548
iTrader Ratings: 10
iTrader Positive Rating: 100%
Bunbuku is a regular member
Plant Points: 87150
Default Re: Excel Algae Brush

Great idea! A smaller diameter tubing should allow you more control so you don't "dump" excess amounts of Excel while pushing on the plunger.
Bunbuku is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2009, 09:44 AM   #6 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 30
iTrader Ratings: 0
eiginh is a regular member
Plant Points: 2250
Default Re: Excel Algae Brush

Kind of an old post... I can't see pictures!
eiginh is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 11-20-2009, 08:54 AM   #7 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 30
iTrader Ratings: 0
eiginh is a regular member
Plant Points: 2250
Default Re: Excel Algae Brush

Oh... it's photobucket... My work filters it as well. I will check when I get home tonight. Thanks!
eiginh is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Aquatic Plant Central > General Interest Forums > DIY Aquarium Projects > Excel Algae Brush

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:24 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0

Copyright © 2006 - 2009 Aquatic Plant Central | About Aquatic Plant Central | Advertising Opportunities | Legal | A member of the Crowdgather Forum Community
Created by Blue Moose Designs