Miscellaneous Ramblings Feb 2026

[BenB]

Ever wanted to ask a question or just make a random comment about something but not start a whole thread for it? Do it here with me. Let's chat. I'll start.
Honestly you should feel free to start a new topic if you want, but if you're like me sometimes, you feel silly for starting one for something basic.

1. Looking for algae scraping tool that doesn’t involve a metal blade or me sticking my arm into the tank. Not a mag float. Does anyone have a recommendation? Something like a sponge on a stick? I'm just using it for dust algae.

2. Does anyone use Ludwigia Cuba in their tanks? It used to be the plant everyone had to have years ago, and I don't remember the last time I saw a scape with it. It's still a beautiful plant, but to be fair, it grows super fast and gets big. In the past, the only nursery that supplied it had a terrible infestitation of Utricularia gibba. So if you got Cuba, you would get it. Aquarium VD is no fun.

3. Anyone used a Hygger heater? I'm looking at that one where the temp sensor is separate from the heater. Before you comment, I have a small tank and put the heater in the HOB filter to keep stuff out of the tank. I have to set the temp differently than I want the tank to be because it is sometimes colder in the HOB. So I need a small heater with an external temp sensor. I didn't want to get involved as much an an Inkbird. Not sure the reason for that. Seems an all in one solution would be easier.

4. What do you use to dose your tank with if you’re just dosing 1-2ml? I’ve been using THESE bottles from Nilogc. They are convenient, but there is something about pressing the pump. It is hard to press, and then it gives all the sudden with force creating a splash. The splash goes out or hits the light. I’m trying to be gentle but not very successfully.

 

[Kwyet]

I do actually use a melamine sponge on a stick (actually a long, acrylic tube) for cleaning the BiOrb of occasional algae. It’s acrylic too, and also a little awkward to get into. This was helpful when I had the glass bowl running as well.,

Before setting up autodosers, I used eyedroppers for small doses like that, the kind for dispensing meds up to 5 ml.,

 

[BenB]

I do actually use a melamine sponge on a stick (actually a long, acrylic tube) for cleaning the BiOrb of occasional algae. It’s acrylic too, and also a little awkward to get into. This was helpful when I had the glass bowl running as well.,

Do you glue it on or ?

 

[Kwyet]

I bend the sponge in half over the tube and secure it with a thick rubber band. Very high tech, lol!

 

[techman81]

4. What do you use to dose your tank with if you’re just dosing 1-2ml? I’ve been using THESE bottles from Nilogc. They are convenient, but there is something about pressing the pump. It is hard to press, and then it gives all the sudden with force creating a splash. The splash goes out or hits the light. I’m trying to be gentle but not very successfully.

Before the move to autodosers, I used the 500ml Dunzy Adjustable Volume Dispensing Bottle.

 

[gnatster]

What do you use to dose your tank with if you’re just dosing 1-2ml?

2oz Amber dropper bottles. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNJR3TDH?th=1

 

[Art]

Just chiming in here as the admin, @BenB I love you for making this thread. Thank you.

 

[BenB]

Just chiming in here as the admin, @BenB I love you for making this thread. Thank you.

Ha! Glad you like it. I feel like I always have some sort of trivial question about my tank rambling around in my head. I don't want to make a whole thread about it, but I want to ask. I thought maybe others do as well. This is actually v3. v1 was a hit. HERE

 

[BenB]

I bend the sponge in half over the tube and secure it with a thick rubber band. Very high tech, lol!

I was hoping someone had a recommendation with something like THIS. There are several of these things out there, but a lot look crappy.

Before the move to autodosers, I used the 500ml Dunzy Adjustable Volume Dispensing Bottle.

I dose 2ml. I don't think those go down to that? I was dosing 15ml from one of those double neck bottles, but I thought the pump bottle would be easier. I didn't anticipate the splash.

2oz Amber dropper bottles. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNJR3TDH?th=1

That might work actually. Opening the bottle often doesn't eventually let some sort of mold in and contaminates your mix?

 

[*Ci*]

I use 2 ml pipettes for my nano tank, but they have these more precise ones:

https://www.amazon.com/Micropipette...d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&psc=1

 

[gnatster]

That might work actually. Opening the bottle often doesn't eventually let some sort of mold in and contaminates your mix?

Yes, the micros did get schmutz in the bottle. That was the first fill from the main mix stored in the fridge. Subsequent refills are only 1/2 the bottle. Dosing 1.5 ml of macros and 0.75 ml of micros, I get about 30 days in a 10-gallon tank. The smaller, no-CO2, lower-light 5-gal is 4 drops of macros and 2 drops of micros.

 

[Count Krunk]

Re the hygger heater and the inkbird.

The purpose of an inkbird is to take the control of the heater away from the heater. Heaters are notorious to fail on, and with thousands of dollars of fish and coral at risk, it's a no brainier on a reef tank. Some people like ranco, they're a bit more heavy duty.

So the inkbird/ranco will turn the heater off and on relying on their temp sensor. You can also use a third party temp sensor, such as a thermometer, to double check and adjust the inkbird/ranco as as needed.

Some models with have a heat and cool function. Below target starts heating, above targeting starts cooling.

 

[Koan]

What do you use to dose your tank with if you’re just dosing 1-2ml?

Guys you're making this too hard







(And I just noticed my Burr macros have turned to apple juice after all )

 

[BenB]

Guys you're making this too hard

Oh please.... says the guy measuring something out of a measuring device.
You need to deescalate some measuring devices.

(And I just noticed my Burr macros have turned to apple juice after all )

Mine have like 1/4 inch of something in the bottom, but I don't think it affects them. I just shake and dose.

 

[BenB]

I bought this today at Petco. It seems to be exactly what I need, but I'm a bit concerned about the abrasiveness of the sponge. It's pretty tough. I have and older ADA tank and I think way back the glass was softer. Anyone know? Where are the guys from way back? @gnatster @Art



In other comments, I hope I never have to walk into a Petco again.

 

[techman81]

There's kind of a standard for scrubbers based on color. Green should not be used on glass. Blue is safe on glass. White is safe on acrylic. Having said that, I tend to stick with white for glass as well, because as long as it's used regularly, it seems to work just as well as blue.

 

[techman81]

In other comments, I hope I never have to walk into a Petco again.

Petcos vary quite a bit. The one closest to me is a clean well managed store. The next closest is...well...not.

 

[gnatster]

I have and older ADA tank and I think way back the glass was softer.

Maybe I was always super careful around the Mini I had. I do know you don't use glass cooktop cleaning pads on them. A well-meaning friend used one while I was the guest of The Ohio State Medical Center for 3 weeks. That was the start of my 10 year hiatus from aquariums.

 

[BenB]

Maybe I was always super careful around the Mini I had. I do know you don't use glass cooktop cleaning pads on them. A well-meaning friend used one while I was the guest of The Ohio State Medical Center for 3 weeks. That was the start of my 10 year hiatus from aquariums.

Ugh.. that sounds bad.... so does being in OSMC for 3 weeks as well. I have a scratch in my glass. Not sure how it happened. Got it a couple months ago. I don't want to make my glass white. What I'm using hasn't caused any problems. THESE I'm not going to apply undue pressure, but these pads make me nervous. It is like a kitchen cleaning pad.

 

[Aquajack]

Guys you're making this too hard

View attachment 14043

View attachment 14044



(And I just noticed my Burr macros have turned to apple juice after all )

haha they're the same bottles I currently use. I think from your suggestion a while ago. The syringe is a good addition though. I'm just using the measured lines but obviously not entirely accurate. I'll be getting some syringes today.

Before the next step of auto dosing. One bit at a time.