PDA

View Full Version : Quickly Aquascaping a 4G Portable Tank


Melody
Mar 3rd 2007, 01:31 PM
Well here's a tall order! For the District Science Fair, my Son is using a 'Critter Keeper'. Its around 3.5-4G's in eyeballed measurements, with the bottom being more narrow than the top.

I want to temporarily Aquascape it. Lighting & all that won't be a problem since its temporary and the plants will be moved, but the plants can't be too delicate or they'll break. There won't be any substrate because the snails will be transported in the tank and I don't want them hurt. I will probably scatter shells and that's it. By the same token, there can't be anything heavy that the plants are tied to. The waterline will be taken way down for transport.

We could bag it all and do it on-site, but that would just add to the things he has to set up.

I have one small piece of driftwood so I'll probably use that. I have some small Anubias & Java Fern to tie to it. I also have a very light, plastic cave that has lots of holes, so I may decorate that too.

Did I say me? I mean the kid will do it. :rolleyes: BUT seriously though, he'll be doing it too, that's only fair, so things can't get too complicated. He could probably handle 'complicated', but I couldn't. :laugh:

Now I know there are people out there who can picture that tank in their mind's eye and design something amazing, so I'm gonna wait here for you to do that, ok?;)

The total expense of the project has to be under $25. He's used about $10. I have most of the plants and might be able to get some trimmings that can be classed under 'recyclables'. Otherwise I can spend about $10 & still be under the max with taxes. I also have to be careful not to cast any suspicion that we're fudging the costs so even with recycled plants & all that, it can't be too elaborate.

Thanks!

P.S. The project is on Buoyancy so I'll be using a few floating plants, like Water Lettuce (which I believe use their little 'hairs' to stay buoyant) and a piece of Water Hyacinth (which use the air-filled 'leaves' to float). Any other floaters that use something cool to stay buoyant?

Soggybottom
Mar 4th 2007, 12:42 AM
Duckweed floats by pure evil :)

Melody
Mar 4th 2007, 12:55 AM
Well if that doesn't win him the top prize, I don't know what will!:laugh:

CACAdmin
Mar 4th 2007, 01:04 AM
If he's as creative as his mom, he's got top prize in the bag!:yes:

Melody
Mar 4th 2007, 01:06 AM
Are you kidding? I'm useless offline. Some people would immediately envision a beautiful aquascape. I immediately envisioned a post here. :laugh:

fishykisses
Mar 4th 2007, 03:11 PM
will you be using full shells or pieces of shells?

Melody
Mar 4th 2007, 03:28 PM
Small full shells - the snails cut themselves on pieces :wideeyed:

fishykisses
Mar 5th 2007, 04:22 PM
do you have a dremill drill?
you could drill a really small hole in the shell and put cabomba through the hole, tie a knot of fishing line or string, yarn...anything around the plant once it's through the hole so it doesn't slip through again.
i have a dremill if you want some help.

Melody
Mar 5th 2007, 04:44 PM
That's a good idea but we'll probably make due with tying. That would look nice - you should do those up and sell them that way :yes: .

fishykisses
Mar 5th 2007, 05:04 PM
hmmm....

CACAdmin
Mar 5th 2007, 07:03 PM
do you have a dremill drill?
you could drill a really small hole in the shell and put cabomba through the hole, tie a knot of fishing line or string, yarn...anything around the plant once it's through the hole so it doesn't slip through again.
i have a dremill if you want some help.

Neat idea. I have a dremel and shells but I know for sure my the shells would crumble into itsybitsy pieces if I tried drilling them.:rolleyes: Give me a piece of wood, I'm fine, give me something as delicate as a shell... :nah: not a good idea. So maybe Melody has an idea there for your creative talents.

fishykisses
Mar 5th 2007, 07:34 PM
it is possible, i lost a bunch of red ramshorns and saved the shells...i drilled a hole in each of them and made a necklace for my cousin, when they dry out they're kinda dull so i put clear nail polish on them and they looked all nice and shiny again.

Melody
Mar 5th 2007, 07:37 PM
I leave mine in the tank for calcium. Am I creative or what? lol My tanks look like a snail graveyard.

CACAdmin
Mar 5th 2007, 07:51 PM
I leave mine in the tank for calcium. Am I creative or what? lol My tanks look like a snail graveyard.
Me too, but I do pick out some of the prettiest ones... have no idea what I'll do with them but thought they might make a nice addition to some project.

CACAdmin
Mar 5th 2007, 07:55 PM
it is possible, i lost a bunch of red ramshorns and saved the shells...i drilled a hole in each of them and made a necklace for my cousin, when they dry out they're kinda dull so i put clear nail polish on them and they looked all nice and shiny again.
You must have incredible patience... ramshorn shells are tiny (even adults).

fishykisses
Mar 5th 2007, 08:40 PM
my mom sometimes calls me Job when i do my art.