General DIY Tips
Some general DIY tips that anyone can do.
By Ken Uy
Here are my general DIY tips:
- Check out the hardware store. There's a lot of stuff there that could have aquarium applications, especially in the plumbing and houseware departments. Stuff that I've bought from there include PVC pipe and fittings, nylon nuts and bolts, plastic cable ties, various plastic containers, acrylic sheets, plastic tubing, chemicals to recharge resins with many things that you don't even know you'd need, until you see something and go "Hmmmm...!" It's good to know where you can get things too, in case something breaks and you need a replacement. Better than waiting for it to come from the mail order place, and often cheaper than the fish store. Learn what's out there.
- Before starting a DIY project, check and see if the cost and effort is worth it. If you're doing it entirely for fun, then go for it. But if it's to save money sometimes it's cheaper just to buy a quality commercial product. At least, try to see an actual working model of the thing you want to build, to get an idea of what it will take to make one. Try to make sure you get it right the first time, because something that leaks or doesn't work can be VERY frustrating! Think of how much it will take to clean up after a bad leak, and be extra careful if the life of your reef is at stake.
- Don't expect a slick looking job if you do these projects on a regular basis. Usually the point is to make something that works well, not necessarily that looks good. In my opinion, gadgets should be kept out of sight anyway, so the focus is on your reef and not on the hardware.
- Keep things easily accessible and easily cleaned, or you won't do it often enough.
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