DIY Feeding Ring?

[Melody]

I am getting way too much food in my Java Moss. I have to have gobs of it and there's lots of snails in there, but it still ends up a mess. I can shake it out before a water change but its often too fine to settle & be vacuumed. Tonight I took it all out of one tank and washed it (no bubbles....lol) after having to fill and drain a tank three times to get it reasonably clean. With Livebearers the moss is pretty much a necessity. I don't mind washing it out, but I want my Long Fin Bronze Cory's to spawn in it when they're ready so I can't be manhandling it all the time.

I figure a feeding ring would keep the food in one spot while I keep the moss in another spot. I have a commercial feeding ring but its kindy tiny, so I thought I'd make one out of a plastic container cover. Cut the center out and voila.

Y'all know how mechanically challenged I am, so I had to ponder this a bit. I know I can use a suction cup to keep it in place, but does anyone have any nifty/easy idea of how I can attach the ring on a little 'arm' and then to the suction cup? I don't want to use anything like fishing line because I want it to be more stable. Obviously I can't use wire but something like that would be perfect. The only other thing I can think of is one of those thick plastic tie thingies with the little teeth that lock it.

:rolleyes: I hate being a girly girl....lol....I hope that explains what I mean. Any ideas for the mechanically challenged? If I can rig something up, I want to use a large container cover to make a ring for my floating plants too.

Thanks!

[CACAdmin]

How long do you want the 'little arm' to be? ...namely how far do you want the feeding ring to extend from the side of the tank?

[Melody]

How should I know? :laugh: Ok so I'm not quite that bad....lol.

Doesn't matter really, close enough that the movement is controlled. The length & flexibility is more so it doesn't have to be adjusted constantly with the waterline. I think the commercial one would be around 2-3", haven't looked at it in awhile. Its hinged, with cork lining the underside of the ring so its always just on top of the water. I have cork so I could probably do something like that if its necessary.

[CACAdmin]

I have an idea... just created a prototype for you... but the arm is short and not adjustable (will put my thinking cap on to see if can come up with something to incorporate that).

What you need is a suction cup, a plastic container lid and a plastic hook (one that's used to hold wires. Pics below (This is only an example as this is the only plastic lid I had on hand and didn't take time to cut it out smoothly.)

Parts required:
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/feedringpartsjpg.jpg

Close up of suction cup & plastic hook:
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/parts-2.jpg

Connect the suction cup and plastic clip:
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/step-1.jpg

Punch a hole in the side of the plastic ring just a little smaller than the clip bracket with a pair of scissors (easier if you start it with an exacto blade). Then insert the bracket through the hole (you will have to force it but that ensures it is tight enough so that it won't come off.) Voila... a feeding ring!
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/step2.jpg

[Melody]

Looks like its all there except the piece between the hook and the ring. Since it has to always be floating right at the surface, it will be constant adjustment if I don't have something flexible or hinged. I can wrap the plastic tie thingies around it loosely enough to have it move up or down, but that's all I can come up with.

Thanks for the visual - I would have just nodded without a clue otherwise. Just ask Patrick....ROFL... "Ok first you do this" :yes: "and then that" :yes: "and put that there":yes: "then do this - got it?"




:no:




:laugh:

[CACAdmin]

The clip has holes in it so you could run a long thin elastic band through one of the holes and and loop it back:
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/adjfeedstep-1.jpg

Then do the same thing with the ring:
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/adjfeedstep-2.jpg

[CACAdmin]

The only thing about using an elastic band is that it is not rigid and allows the ring to move in a radius from the anchor point so as it floats with the current or will move when nudged by fish. Hence you have a feeding area range as opposed to an exact feeding location. However, as long as it's positioned such that the java moss is not in range it'll work.

[Melody]

Yeah that's why I was after something rigid - I thought of fishing line. I'm sure we'll come up with something, thanks!

[CACAdmin]

Yeah that's why I was after something rigid - I thought of fishing line. I'm sure we'll come up with something, thanks!
Duh, how could I have missed that from your initial post.:rolleyes: OK so it's back to the drawing board.

[CACAdmin]

OK, how's this. Use the suction cup & clip but make a slot in the clip (by opening up the space between the two holes in the clip & thread a zap strap through it. (Be sure to use a zap strap that is large enough to be rigid namely about 3/16" in width... I tested it with a 12 in. zap strap.)
Cut a slit in the upper rim of the plastic lid large enough for the zap strap to move freely through it.
Now your ring can float freely vertically in your tank regardless of water level with the zap strap as a vertical tether.

Because sometimes things are as clear as mud when I explain them I've included some pics of a hastily made prototype (lid should be made of more rigid plastic and cut with a smooth edge):
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/fr-1.jpg

http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/fr-2.jpg

Finished prototype in tank (note you can cut the zap strap so that it isn't so long (just ensure it is longer than the lowest water level possible.
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/fr-3.jpg

[Danzig]

you could silicon a small piece of piping to the edge of the ring. A generic heater/filter suction cup will clip the piece of piping (assuming its filter/heater diamter) and hold it securely in place

[Melody]

Those are the teeth thingies I was talking about, Mr. CAC Admin. Zap Strap huh? Catchy :yes: .

I think both would work, thanks! I'll dig around and see what I can find and go with whatever I have the hardware for. I might even post a pic so you guys can make fun of it :laugh: .

The edges worry me - I'm not sure how I could .... oh I know! I'll melt it the edges with a lighter to smooth them!

You do realize that you've just sent a mechanical clutz off with silicone and a lighter, right? :wideeyed:

[CACAdmin]

No fried fingers, ok? That wouldn't be good.:no:

[Soggybottom]

Dang nice work. I'd like a small spaceship with artificial gravity if you have the time...

[CACAdmin]

OK, you find the funding and we'll get started. I'll design, you build, I fly it. Those are the rules.! :DevilGrin: Oh, and you get to come along to fight off any extra terrestrials.

In the meantime, how about we work on an elevator to assist elderly fish to the surface at feeding time?:spinny: :twitcy:

[Soggybottom]

I was going to suggest maybe little umbrellas to keep the rain off fish, but then I was inspired by another post:
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6372#post6372

We need to invent robot fish!

[CACAdmin]

Somebody beat us to it! :mad: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4313266.stm

And back on topic... Melody, you'll have to post a pic of whatever design you ultimately come up with

[Melody]

I'm going to wait until I'm done whining & blowing my nose. Heaven knows what I'd come up with while on cold med's and inhaling silicone fumes. :Worried:

[v.bow]

i just connected straws together. you know those drinking draws. and it just floats around.

[Melody]

Good idea!

[Melody]

Well like most of my DIY plans, this one fell off the brain when placed on the bottom of a looooooong list of things to do.

However, I needed something at the spur of the moment in a temp tank with a lot of plants/moss. I went mumbling and grumbling around my kitchen and found the lid to one of those mini disposable containers (this one is Gladware). Its shape is perfect both for feeding and floating. I didn't have to attach it as the plants keep it in place in this tank, but I'd have to in other tanks. It's an easy start though, if anyone wants to try it. It can easily be cut with scissors and the little lift thingy on the side can be hole-punched for attachments.

Disclaimer: If any annoyed spouses demand to know why their container lids are floating in your aquariums, you didn't read it here!

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-DIY_Feeder_Ring.jpg


Those are my first attempt at making food flakes...

Don't ask. :frown: LOL

[Melody]

Since I don't have styro under it, this ring dips under water (although it doesn't sink). I just reposition it when I'm feeding, no big.

I was turning off lights late the other night when I saw these Mollies ensuring that they wouldn't miss breakfast. They were sound asleep in the ring.:rolleyes:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/mm-AlbinoMollies-Snoozing.jpg

[CACAdmin]

:laugh: That's so cute. Smart mollies (and pretty too). If we didn't know it was a hollow ring one would think they were lying on their own little air mattress (submerged because too many of them go on it. :wink: )

[blainep]

:rofl:

And the phrase 'Smarter than your average bear' is going thru my mind in Yogi's voice.


BTW, good idea on the feeder ring, doesn't get much simpler than that !

[Melody]

One is right on the ring, in the space between the outer rim and the middle, while the second is balanced on the edge and partially into the same space, so I guess an air mattress is definitly a good comparison. :rolleyes:

Thanks Blaine, unlike your handy self, 'simple' is all I can manage...lol.

[CACAdmin]

'simple' is all I can manage...lol.

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones.:yes:

[Melody]

The best inventions are born from necessity... or something like that...lol. The outer ring is perfect for fitting styro or cork in. It's better than paying a ridiculous amount for one in a store that promptly falls apart anyway.

Rings really make a difference too. All of the excess food stays in the same area and out of the plants. It also prevents overfeeding, I find. It's easier to see just how much you're putting in and as it falls it's easy to see that there's plenty.

[Betty]

What a fantastic idea. Thanks for a great post. I too have to constantly rince out java moss. Definitely going to give it a try.

[Melody]

That's great Betty, let us know how it goes. My version is more than a little incomplete, so maybe others will come up with something to make it more functional.:yes:

[T Dawg]

Another option is to use airtubing.
Parts list:

1 long piece of air tubing (4” or desired)
1 short piece of air tubing (1” or desired)
1 airline T
1 airline suction cup
Sorry no pic (yet). Take longer piece of tubing, attach to T to create loop. Take shorted piece of tubing and attach to other part of T. Attach remaining end to suction cup, and stick to side.
Tubing floats, and is rigid enough to keep ring in place even in moderate current but allows for water level variation. My tubing is also transparent so it is also not very noticeable.
If you do not need it in a fixed position you can just make a simple loop and let it float.

[Melody]

Sounds like a good idea!

I'm sure it was Jay who put that container lid into my head, now that I've reviewed the thread...lol...I should have known I wouldn't dream up anything functional on my own.

[CACAdmin]

:laugh: I was you that started the whole idea... I just tossed ideas into the mix.

[T Dawg]

Here is a quick picture of the ring I made.

1052

1050

1051

[Melody]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Functional and it also looks better than the hideous purple plastic they make the rings out of (what were they thinking when they picked that colour? :rolleyes: )

The suction cup on the manufactured rings isn't very good either - mine are always coming loose. :no:

[T Dawg]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Functional and it also looks better than the hideous purple plastic they make the rings out of (what were they thinking when they picked that colour? :rolleyes: )

The suction cup on the manufactured rings isn't very good either - mine are always coming loose. :no:
I left the longer handle on mine to deal with inevitable suction cup failure. I bought two piece ones last time and if the suction cup does not fail the plastic comes off of it.

Now that you have a lid-less cup you could try cutting it just under the rim, it is frosted plastic and should float.

I think they were trying to find a colour that would make the green moldy stuff growing in it look nice!

[Melody]

You may be onto something there :Think: .

Why can't they just offer a decent suction cup? How hard is that? It's not new technology, we can make them strong enough to hold up Christmas lights on a window... :twitcy: :laugh:

[CACAdmin]

You may be onto something there :Think: .

Why can't they just offer a decent suction cup? How hard is that? It's not new technology, we can make them strong enough to hold up Christmas lights on a window... :twitcy: :laugh:

:laugh: I think it could be that the window lacks the slime factor.:wink: Mind you that doesn't excuse the the two part ones that come apart. :rolleyes:

[T Dawg]

You may be onto something there :Think: .

Why can't they just offer a decent suction cup? How hard is that? It's not new technology, we can make them strong enough to hold up Christmas lights on a window... :twitcy: :laugh:
Some seem better than others. The trick is finding which is which before they have been in the tank for a week.