New Library Article - How to - Turn a cheap net into one that functions like an expensive net.

[Squiggle]

Nice work Chi, these are both great articles & I'm going to make one of the filter guards soon, just need some SS for it.

[CNgo2006]

Thanks squiggs...maybe you should get in SS mesh and sell on your site as I know alot of people ask where they can get it from.

[Squiggle]

I'll definitely look into it dude.

[newbreed]

Great articles Chi!

[OzShrimp]

does this close at midnight ?

[newbreed]

Yes, any further articles can still be entered into this thread until Midnight AEST tonight. Only three hours to get your submissions in everyone!! 

[OzShrimp]

Shrimp proofing your fish tank for using insecticide bombs.

Was taught this from 2OFUS 

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I have suffered the catastrophe of losing a tank full of shrimp after having to bomb for cochroaches in a house we rented a while ago and left my air pumps on and my tank unprotected.

Here is how you can successfully bomb for cochroaches and fleas safely without an impact on your shrimp.

 

What you need -

Lots of cling wrap.

Time

Towels and sheets

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Step 1

Step one is to wrap your entire tank(s) in cling wrap. I did this a with two layers of cling wrap which cover the glass and over the lids.

You want to ensure there are no gaps in your cling wrap.

 

Step 2

Wrap some wet old bed sheets around the top of your tank or utilise wet some towels. You then want to place the towels over the top of the tank, the idea of the sheets and towels being wet is to catch any of the pesticide particles and have them settle on the towel as opposed to entering any gaps you cant see.

I utilized 3 towels for extra precaution

 

 

Step 3

Repeat step 1 and wrap another layer of cling around the tank and towels.

 

 

.

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Step 4 

Turn off all air pumps and wrap them in cling wrap. The last thing you want is any pesticide from the spray landing n your pump and being pushed into the water column when you turn the pumps back on. 

 

Step 5

Wrap you cabinet in cling wrap, my cabinet is an open back so was imperative that i covered it. You want to ensure any gaps in the doors and what not are covered.

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Step 6

Wrap any items which go into your tank in cling wrap or remove them from the room which is being sprayed. This might include things such as nets, gravel vacs, air hosing and even containers holding your food. You do not want pesticide on the outside of your container and you touch it before feeding your shrimp. Another big one is Buckets! Last thing you want is insecticide in a bucket and you do a water change!

 

Step 7

Wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after removing the cling wrap and towels.

 

 

It sounds like overkill but the last time i utilized this method was to deal with a flea infestation and would not put my shrimp before my families well being. Thankfully utilizing this i was able to keep both safe without 1 loss my shrimp.

[newbreed]

Great articles and profiles everyone!! It's going to be a close competition I think!

 

Starting a new thread with a voting poll now.

http://shrimpkeepersforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/7058-skf-library-competition-2014-voting-time/

 

Be sure to vote for your favourite article!

 

Thanks to all entrants!! 

Edited June 9, 2014 by newbreed

[ineke]

Congratulations to the winners. Well done guys!

[Squiggle]

Awesome work everyone who participated & congrats to the guys who won!

[OzShrimp]

Was a very close competition! 

[jayc]

Well done @OzShrimp and Chi @CNgo2006

. 

Congrats.

Edited June 23, 2014 by jayc

[CNgo2006]

Thanks guys...grats to the others as well..was very close but am happy with my prize as I already have the magz and posters

[OzShrimp]

Everyones a winner! 

[Jenbenwren]

I'll start off with a small simple "How to" How to - Turn a cheap net into one that functions like an expensive net. What makes a good shrimp net?It can be materials, price, function, does it catch shrimp successfully? I've used had many shrimp nets, and the best ones, that actually catch shrimp easily, are the ones whose net stays open and forms a little cup that does not scare the shrimp into swimming the other way when you try to catch them. Because it is not obstructed and looks like an escape route, the shrimp just seem to swim right in.  Unlike soft, floppy nets, that look like a barrier. These nets don't have enough stiffness to keep the net open.   The solution?A cable tie cut into the appropriate length to keep the net open.  Carefully place it into the net like so ...    There you have it.A $2 net that will now catch shrimp like the $30 one I have. Jayc.This post has been promoted to an article[/quote

I had trouble catching my shrimp with my nets then I remembered reading your post. Only problem was I didn't have any cable ties and with the kids asleep I couldn't get some from the yard. Then I saw the icecream tubs with a pin hole in them I use for water changes and top ups and noticed the top edges of them that lid sits in. Out came the scissors and I cut off a part of the lip on the edge of one of the tubs, placed it in my net and bingo. It worked like your cable tie and the shrimp were much easier to catch.

[jayc]

Sounds cool Jen.

Glad this inspired you to build your own.