Post by tom on Jan 16, 2008 19:47:18 GMT -5
I've been using a floating hatchery for keep my Aldrovanda in my aquarium along with my fish. This way, the plants stay almost undisturbed in a corner, from either the current from the filter and from the fishes. I find it very useful, since I read somewhere that some aquatic utrics dont like to be disturbed much, and it keeps it near the water surface. It also can restrain the propagation of some 'invasive' species in the aquarium (aka U. gibba), and it's great to separate several species of plants in the same aquarium without having them all intertwined. Here's the device i am talking about
www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~HG10931~tab~2.html
But you can easily make one for yourself with a clear plastic box and 2 wine corks (or belgian beer corks).
Material:
A clear plastic box, about 6" L x 3" W x 3" H (a plastic Ferrero Rochers chocolate box is perfect, and are a pleasure to empty for the good cause) img412.imageshack.us/img412/7060/ferrerorocherdh7.jpg
2 wine corks
4 garbage ties, or similar metal wires coated with plastic
a scalpel or any sharp/tin piece of metal that you can heat
a lighter
Note that i dont take any responsability with your use of fire. Do this in a well aerated area and be cautious.
First, empty and clean your plastic container. You might keep the lid although it is not necessary. You'll have to create a few holes in the bottom of the container to allow water exchange with the aquarium and ease the flotability of your device with the water level of your aquarium. By heating the scalpel, you can easily make some 'linear hole' (how do you call this in english? slits?) under the container, as long as they aren't too large to allow the plants to come out/critters to come in.
Next, you'll have to do some holes on the sides, about 1-2" from the top. There will be 2 rows of them, 2 holes by rows, on each 2 sides. Thw width between each depend much of the lenght of the corks, since you'll pass wires through thoses holes to secure corks on each sides of the container. Sorry if i can't be clearer, I hope the pictures will help, although they were took in haste so they're not very good... Theses corks will replace the 'air pockets' in the plastic fish hatchery, to allow the container to float in your aquarium.
Once everything's done, all you have to do is to place it in your aquarium/water plans, let it stabilize and add your plants. I think it could be used as well outdoor during summer for easy monitoring your plants in your ponds.
I also think that if you pierce holes in the low sides instead of the bottom, you can use this device to grow terrestrial utrics which like to be covered all the time by shallow water (affixed aquatic).
(Oh and sorry for the algae!)
www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~HG10931~tab~2.html
But you can easily make one for yourself with a clear plastic box and 2 wine corks (or belgian beer corks).
Material:
A clear plastic box, about 6" L x 3" W x 3" H (a plastic Ferrero Rochers chocolate box is perfect, and are a pleasure to empty for the good cause) img412.imageshack.us/img412/7060/ferrerorocherdh7.jpg
2 wine corks
4 garbage ties, or similar metal wires coated with plastic
a scalpel or any sharp/tin piece of metal that you can heat
a lighter
Note that i dont take any responsability with your use of fire. Do this in a well aerated area and be cautious.
First, empty and clean your plastic container. You might keep the lid although it is not necessary. You'll have to create a few holes in the bottom of the container to allow water exchange with the aquarium and ease the flotability of your device with the water level of your aquarium. By heating the scalpel, you can easily make some 'linear hole' (how do you call this in english? slits?) under the container, as long as they aren't too large to allow the plants to come out/critters to come in.
Next, you'll have to do some holes on the sides, about 1-2" from the top. There will be 2 rows of them, 2 holes by rows, on each 2 sides. Thw width between each depend much of the lenght of the corks, since you'll pass wires through thoses holes to secure corks on each sides of the container. Sorry if i can't be clearer, I hope the pictures will help, although they were took in haste so they're not very good... Theses corks will replace the 'air pockets' in the plastic fish hatchery, to allow the container to float in your aquarium.
Once everything's done, all you have to do is to place it in your aquarium/water plans, let it stabilize and add your plants. I think it could be used as well outdoor during summer for easy monitoring your plants in your ponds.
I also think that if you pierce holes in the low sides instead of the bottom, you can use this device to grow terrestrial utrics which like to be covered all the time by shallow water (affixed aquatic).
(Oh and sorry for the algae!)