So, the 25IM is set up and I wanted to run some cheato. To do so I purchased the Fixxex Hang on Fuge (not part of the build, but it is that part that the build is going to fit inside).
It seems a pretty solid product and the pump and light are quite adequate for their jobs.
Once I got to thinking I decided to try to build a mini scrubber to stay ahead of the green hair algae that I oft encounter due to my poor husbandry habits. Also thought it would be nice if it could be small enough to fit inside this fuge (or even my 10g tank).
Thus a project is born.
Anyway...
THE BUILD
Found screens at Michaels for $3.
Found potatoes at Wegmans for $2.
Found a magnetic JBJ nano fuge light on Amazon for $35.
This is the item that drove the cost of the build from under $10 to just over $40. If you have an old light you can modify or if you're handy and can build an LED unit, you'll save a few bucks.
Magnet part separated from LED unit.
Potato container cut down to height of magnet.
Magnet SILICONED to potato container. Note that potato containers are immune to superglue - the magnet is not, my fingers are not, my counter is not, the plastic bits are not, the potato container is.
Ignore the plastic clip and bubble bar, we'll get to those later.
OK, its later, lets talk about the plastic clip and bubble bar.
Theres a lot going on in this pic (and some not).
The tube bar is a bubble from Petco for $4. It is easy to cut down. In this instance it was cut to length to fit in the container. Note that unseen in this photo is a small round connector that comes with the bubble bar which will be vital to the build. Also, two clips came with the bubble bar, one was taken out of its suction cup.
Ignore the screen under the magnet, it was scrapped later.
The clip remaining in the cup had the cup cut down. In my build it was necessary to keep some of the rubber from the suction cup as a spacer, to ensure the clip was positioned properly. This may be a variable based on potato manufacturers.
Then it was siliconed into place on the 'floor' of the container so it was approximately 1/4 - 1/2" above the 'floor' and centered in the containers 'height'.
Continued next post...
It seems a pretty solid product and the pump and light are quite adequate for their jobs.
Once I got to thinking I decided to try to build a mini scrubber to stay ahead of the green hair algae that I oft encounter due to my poor husbandry habits. Also thought it would be nice if it could be small enough to fit inside this fuge (or even my 10g tank).
Thus a project is born.
Anyway...
THE BUILD
Found screens at Michaels for $3.
Found potatoes at Wegmans for $2.
Found a magnetic JBJ nano fuge light on Amazon for $35.
This is the item that drove the cost of the build from under $10 to just over $40. If you have an old light you can modify or if you're handy and can build an LED unit, you'll save a few bucks.
Magnet part separated from LED unit.
Potato container cut down to height of magnet.
Magnet SILICONED to potato container. Note that potato containers are immune to superglue - the magnet is not, my fingers are not, my counter is not, the plastic bits are not, the potato container is.
Ignore the plastic clip and bubble bar, we'll get to those later.
OK, its later, lets talk about the plastic clip and bubble bar.
Theres a lot going on in this pic (and some not).
The tube bar is a bubble from Petco for $4. It is easy to cut down. In this instance it was cut to length to fit in the container. Note that unseen in this photo is a small round connector that comes with the bubble bar which will be vital to the build. Also, two clips came with the bubble bar, one was taken out of its suction cup.
Ignore the screen under the magnet, it was scrapped later.
The clip remaining in the cup had the cup cut down. In my build it was necessary to keep some of the rubber from the suction cup as a spacer, to ensure the clip was positioned properly. This may be a variable based on potato manufacturers.
Then it was siliconed into place on the 'floor' of the container so it was approximately 1/4 - 1/2" above the 'floor' and centered in the containers 'height'.
Continued next post...
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