JoJo's No Funny Business Office Tank Thread

[tbrown]

How long are you running the Plank? A full minute?

 

[JoJosReef]

How long are you running the Plank? A full minute?

Full minute, although I tested it for a full 2 min and it didn't seem overkill for the tank. Will prob keep it at 1 min, 4x per day and watch the fish, maybe bumping it to 5x or 6x. They seem hungrier since the doser has been clogging, leaving me with manually feeding them ROE.

 

[JoJosReef]

My news feed is... strange. Plastics littering our tropical reefs? Nope, plastics somewhere else entirely unrelated to reefs. And for some reason I want to know how hot dogs are ranked?...

 

[ESABOE]

Thanks Mothy! That's what the Techbee timer is for at the bottom of the Amazon order. It is programmable to set up a countdown timer in seconds at intervals throughout the day. At least that's the idea. Will have to play with it a bit.

Hey JoJo,
I went ahead and also ordered the Plank. Realized my time away from home might be longer than expected and I needed a really good feeder. Bummed I couldn’t wait for a sale - not an expense I had planned for.

Question: in the Plank User Manual, it mentions different options and brands of timers. I was going to order the Nearpow; however, I see you got the techbee which wasn’t listed. I’m the opposite of a techy (I’m a Treky); seriously though, reason you chose one over the other?

I have no clue how to program either, but hope I can get a timer ordered and at the house by Saturday so I have a couple days to setup and experiment with it. I fly out on Tuesday so need to figure this out ASAP. Appreciate any insight you might have.

Timer Outlet, Nearpow Multifunctional Infinite Cycle Programmable Plug-in Digital Timer Switch with 3-Prong Outlet for Appliances, Energy-Saving Timer, 15A/1800W

 

[VintageReefer]

Custom lids affordable prices
90$ for dual lids for my 75g. Customized exactly how I requested

And he’s on our forum

Best Aquarium Lids, Crystal Clear and Durable

Elevate your aquarium experience with the best lids on the market. Our precision-crafted aquarium lids offer crystal-clear visibility and exceptional durability, ensuring your underwater world remains pristine for years to come. Explore our range today for unmatched clarity and longevity!

walterlids.com

 

[JoJosReef]

Hey JoJo,
I went ahead and also ordered the Plank. Realized my time away from home might be longer than expected and I needed a really good feeder. Bummed I couldn’t wait for a sale - not an expense I had planned for.

Question: in the Plank User Manual, it mentions different options and brands of timers. I was going to order the Nearpow; however, I see you got the techbee which wasn’t listed. I’m the opposite of a techy (I’m a Treky); seriously though, reason you chose one over the other?

I have no clue how to program either, but hope I can get a timer ordered and at the house by Saturday so I have a couple days to setup and experiment with it. I fly out on Tuesday so need to figure this out ASAP. Appreciate any insight you might have.

Timer Outlet, Nearpow Multifunctional Infinite Cycle Programmable Plug-in Digital Timer Switch with 3-Prong Outlet for Appliances, Energy-Saving Timer, 15A/1800W

The Nearpow and the Techbee looked basically identical to me. I can't remember if there was a price difference of a dollar or two, but I remember just saying "I'll go with this one". I think the Nearpow and the Techbee are likely the same in terms of function and quality--Nearpow has a How To video on the Avast website, though, which might be helpful!

That said. I haven't even unboxed the Techbee yet. It turns out, the Plank goes slow enough that I can let it run for a minute or two and not overfeed. So with that, I prefer to use my wifi power strip and it's app. I turn the Sicce pump on at, for example, 9:59am (give it a min to start swirling and alert the fish), then turn on the Plank at 10:00am, turn off Plank at 10:01am, turn off Sicce pump at 10:25am. Rinse, repeat, for however many feedings in a day. If you need less than a minute, definitely get the Nearpow or Techbee, though.

 

[ESABOE]

Reminder to self: stop doing DIY, you're not any good at it!

Lid complete. It's not hideous, but not too pretty. A few instruments of DIYerism would have come in handy: a clamp to keep the screen borders steady while hacksawing them, a flexible tape measure to make measurements, something to make fine cuts in the plastic corner pieces (more on that later), ah yes, and a spline tool to replace the one I couldn't find in my fish stuff boxes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I cut an plastic rod to brace the lid in front of the Plank cutout since it was bowing inward. Seems to work if not a little janky. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The internal elbows of the cutout were a problem. I hadn't considered that they are only made to turn a corner in one direction, not make a Z shape. So I had to cut about 2/16" off the side of each internal piece to make them fit backward, which also made them wobbly. The plastic rod helps with that, but to be sure, I also super glued each of the corner pieces in. Apparently the super glue spreads across metal, so now there's a powder white coating stretching out from the corners. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Stretching and splining the net was a nightmare. Thumb + -80C freezer pin for the job--I can't feel my thumb now--but loud expletives every time a netting square would snap wasn't too great in the office. It got done. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

At least it all fits! Yes, I had to recut pieces because I messed up a few calculations, and it took about 10x longer than a real DIYer would take, but it works!

And best of all, no way any fish can jump through, knock on driftwood! Onward with the wrasse plan!

Tested out the Plank. Love it. The fish were all really curious about what was going on. Even the yellow wrasse was smimming about in the front inspecting all the floating goodies. Reef Jerky, A+! One minute, maybe two is perfect, so didn't need the seconds countdown timer--back ti Amazon you go!--and can just use the wifi strip. Noice!

Next time I'm just paying someone to make a decent product. Better start feeding those nems...
/rant off

Now to start the work I missed doing today... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Looks damnnnn good to me! You underestimate your capabilities!
My Toplid’s lid came with a generic cutout for future auto-feeder use. the Plank will fit, but I need to make a styrofoam cutout around to cover the open space around it. While temporary, it will take a few weeks to get the modification piece from Toplid’s. As I mentioned, not a DIY gal, but have no choice but to create something as Plank will be only feeder at some point for 7ish days.

Super nervous because I just added a new pair of lil baby Helfrichi Firefish and they could fit through most anything.

Sorry if I’m spamming your thread; if you prefer I can take this to DM.

 

[JoJosReef]

Custom lids affordable prices
90$ for dual lids for my 75g. Customized exactly how I requested

And he’s on our forum

Best Aquarium Lids, Crystal Clear and Durable

Elevate your aquarium experience with the best lids on the market. Our precision-crafted aquarium lids offer crystal-clear visibility and exceptional durability, ensuring your underwater world remains pristine for years to come. Explore our range today for unmatched clarity and longevity!

walterlids.com

I looked at Walter Lids, amd only reason I didn't go that route is that I'm always dumping food through the mesh lid, and I wouldn't be able to do that with the polycarb lid. The diluted food would run everywhere. Was very close, considering foregoing that way of feeding, but I just like feeding through the screen too much.

 

[ESABOE]

The Nearpow and the Techbee looked basically identical to me. I can't remember if there was a price difference of a dollar or two, but I remember just saying "I'll go with this one". I think the Nearpow and the Techbee are likely the same in terms of function and quality--Nearpow has a How To video on the Avast website, though, which might be helpful!

That said. I haven't even unboxed the Techbee yet. It turns out, the Plank goes slow enough that I can let it run for a minute or two and not overfeed. So with that, I prefer to use my wifi power strip and its app. I turn the Sicce pump on at, for example, 9:59am (give it a min to start swirling and alert the fish), then turn on the Plank at 10:00am, turn off Plank at 10:01am, turn off Sicce pump at 10:25am. Rinse, repeat, for however many feedings in a day. If you need less than a minute, definitely get the Nearpow or Techbee, though.

Uhmmm, the Sicce pump? Was I supposed to buy a pump? Didn’t realize I would need to turn one on and off.

I only have the following fish, so not sure if your timing is ok. Pair of clowns, diamond goby, Mel wrasse, blue-side wrasse, rosy-scale wrasse, pair of Helfrichi.

 

[JoJosReef]

Looks damnnnn good to me! You underestimate your capabilities!
My Toplid’s lid came with a generic cutout for future auto-feeder use. the Plank will fit, but I need to make a styrofoam cutout around to cover the open space around it. While temporary, it will take a few weeks to get the modification piece from Toplid’s. As I mentioned, not a DIY gal, but have no choice but to create something as Plank will be only feeder at some point for 7ish days.

Super nervous because I just added a new pair of lil baby Helfrichi Firefish and they could fit through most anything.

Sorry if I’m spamming your thread; if you prefer I can take this to DM.

That's what this thread is for! I'm ok with active discussion intermingled with LOLs and photodocumentary

Nice thing about the Plank is that I'm sure it can last a week, two or maybe even a month when you fill it up.

Thanks for the compliments on my DIY project. It didn't turn out bad at all, just took a very long time during which I was obviously not pulling my weight at the office--will have to make up for that soon.

 

[VintageReefer]

I looked at Walter Lids, amd only reason I didn't go that route is that I'm always dumping food through the mesh lid, and I wouldn't be able to do that with the polycarb lid. The diluted food would run everywhere. Was very close, considering foregoing that way of feeding, but I just like feeding through the screen too much.

But now that you have a plank…you could get a custom polycarbonate with a cutout

 

[Stang67]

Reminder to self: stop doing DIY, you're not any good at it!

Lid complete. It's not hideous, but not too pretty. A few instruments of DIYerism would have come in handy: a clamp to keep the screen borders steady while hacksawing them, a flexible tape measure to make measurements, something to make fine cuts in the plastic corner pieces (more on that later), ah yes, and a spline tool to replace the one I couldn't find in my fish stuff boxes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I cut an plastic rod to brace the lid in front of the Plank cutout since it was bowing inward. Seems to work if not a little janky. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The internal elbows of the cutout were a problem. I hadn't considered that they are only made to turn a corner in one direction, not make a Z shape. So I had to cut about 2/16" off the side of each internal piece to make them fit backward, which also made them wobbly. The plastic rod helps with that, but to be sure, I also super glued each of the corner pieces in. Apparently the super glue spreads across metal, so now there's a powder white coating stretching out from the corners. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Stretching and splining the net was a nightmare. Thumb + -80C freezer pin for the job--I can't feel my thumb now--but loud expletives every time a netting square would snap wasn't too great in the office. It got done. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

At least it all fits! Yes, I had to recut pieces because I messed up a few calculations, and it took about 10x longer than a real DIYer would take, but it works!

And best of all, no way any fish can jump through, knock on driftwood! Onward with the wrasse plan!

Tested out the Plank. Love it. The fish were all really curious about what was going on. Even the yellow wrasse was smimming about in the front inspecting all the floating goodies. Reef Jerky, A+! One minute, maybe two is perfect, so didn't need the seconds countdown timer--back ti Amazon you go!--and can just use the wifi strip. Noice!

Next time I'm just paying someone to make a decent product. Better start feeding those nems...
/rant off

Now to start the work I missed doing today... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Done is better then perfect.

 

[Stang67]

And agree, it didn't measure up to expectations, although that may have been influenced by the 100 people clamoring to get a brief look.

Twss

 

[tbrown]

Uhmmm, the Sicce pump? Was I supposed to buy a pump? Didn’t realize I would need to turn one on and off.

I only have the following fish, so not sure if your timing is ok. Pair of clowns, diamond goby, Mel wrasse, blue-side wrasse, rosy-scale wrasse, pair of Helfrichi.

Sicce pump is part of why it's expensive. It's included in the package. You can leave it always running per their more recent instructions or turn it on and off. My plan is to let the Plank feed, let the food hydrate for a few minutes, then turn on the pump for 30 minutes or so.

Feeding for 1 minute is equal to a cube of frozen. Wrasses like to eat 3-25 times a day so if you use the Plank 4 or 5 times, I'd recommend not feeding for a full minute but also understand that the Wrasses will likely eat an 1/8 to 1/4 of a frozen cube equivalent each feeding?

 

[tbrown]

Sicce pump is part of why it's expensive. It's included in the package. You can leave it always running per their more recent instructions or turn it on and off. My plan is to let the Plank feed, let the food hydrate for a few minutes, then turn on the pump for 30 minutes or so.

Feeding for 1 minute is equal to a cube of frozen. Wrasses like to eat 3-25 times a day so if you use the Plank 4 or 5 times, I'd recommend not feeding for a full minute but also understand that the Wrasses will likely eat an 1/8 to 1/4 of a frozen cube equivalent each feeding?

Edited to add more...

 

[JoJosReef]

Uhmmm, the Sicce pump? Was I supposed to buy a pump? Didn’t realize I would need to turn one on and off.

I only have the following fish, so not sure if your timing is ok. Pair of clowns, diamond goby, Mel wrasse, blue-side wrasse, rosy-scale wrasse, pair of Helfrichi.

I missed this post. How many times per day are you thinking. Like Tim says, 1 minute is like a cube of mixed frozen. If you've got a lot of CUC and corals consuming stuff, I don't think it makes too much of a difference 30 sec vs 1 min, but you'll want to know what your NO3 and PO4 are like. I'm usually pushing the low end, so no sleep lost here. The wrasses will enjoy getting more frequent doses.

 

[AVAST Marine]

Uff, only partway through this new screen/Plank process. Found the only space in the tank that the plank would fit without breaking apart corals. Cut the mesh on the AIO baffle (my custom fish-jumper-through-emergency-overflow shield) to exactly fit the Plank. Looks beautiful! Thanks @AVAST Marine for making the custom AIO baffle fittings! Fits perfectly!

I did have to raise the tube as much as possible, because otherwise it would have been injecting reef jerky right on top of the favia--who may not have minded.

Took precise measurements for the lid cutouts and currently hacksawing window screen framing! A clamp and a level would have just been awesome... Likely going to finish this project tomorrow and start calibrating the Plank!

Perfect fit!

 

[JoJosReef]

Day 1 of my parents visiting:
"An elderly couple sat in church. The old lady said to her husband 'I've just done a silent fart. What should I do?' The husband replies, 'You should change the batteries in your hearing aid.'"
Gonna be a lot of old dad/grandfather jokes coming this week...

 

[JoJosReef]

Looks like Trachy likes the new Reef Jerky as well

And shhh, don't tell the others. New favorite coral:

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Mine cost about $30 and I'm very happy with it. Not the best looking but it do the job

De-rim that bad boy!! It changes the look completely!