PETROCHROMIS
                                                                                          DIY
                                                                                    PROJECTS

 

 

 

                                                                                                             DIY
                                                                                               HOSPITAL / HOLDING 
                                                                                                       TANK FOR 
                                                                                                  THOSE PETROS
                                                                                            Frank Schulterbrandt  10/24/2010

1

       Because of the aggressive nature of the species called  Petrochromis when housed in a aquarium, there are lot of skirmishes in the tank.

These skirmishes results in a ton of injuries. If the wounded petro is not removed/separated from it’s aggressor , death may soon follow.

An obvious solution to this problem is to remove the petro from the tank and place in another tank. There are possible consequences in this method (see the article Petrochromis Aggression). But for the time being let us focus on the safety of the injured petro.  So you have placed this petro into a hospital tank. What happens if another petro is wounded and then another. How many hospital tanks do you have ?  If you had a four foot tank you could partition the tank into 3 or 4 sections. A way to do this is to make a slot into the tank frame on each side and take a measured piece of  Plexiglas and slide it into the slot. But before you insert the Plexiglas into the slot make a lot of holes into the Plexiglas to allow a continuous flow of water.
Suction cups must be used at the bottom of the Plexiglas. 

     Perhaps a better solution is to replace the Plexiglas and use egg crating you must however use strong rubber suction cups to keep the egg crating in place.  By using the egg crating there is much better water flow. Your only concern here is to make sure that the egg crating is secure.

 

     If you decide to use Plexiglas then the suction cup  #2 or #3 will work well.

If you decide to use egg crating which in my opinion is the best and the cheapest way, use the suction cup  #4 or #5  displayed below.

    In any case no matter what method you use  good filtration is an absolute must.

 

 

 

                                                                                                             DIY
                                                                                                  EGG TUMBLER 
                                                                                                       TANK FOR 
                                                                                                  THOSE PETROS
                                                                                            Frank Schulterbrandt  10/30/2010

2

           Your petrochromis female or females are holding, you now decide to strip the female of her eggs.
You will now put these eggs in  an egg  tumbler which usually cost about twenty dollars.
So three would cost you about sixty dollars. Here is a solution to this problem.

           What is needed:

            1: Twenty gallon long tank is required.

            2:  8 food strainers (diameter should be 3 to 4 inches).   From the Dollar Store

            3:  Egg crating the footprint of the twenty gallon long.        From Home Depot / Lowes
            4:  1/2 inch PVC to make a rectangle.                              From Home Depot / Lowes

            5:  Plastic air release valves                                              From Online  (plastic kit of valves)

            6:  A 50 watt heater to keep the water warm.           

            7:  At least 4 suction cups.    

      Cut the egg crating to fit snugly into the twenty gallon tank about 2 inches deep into the tank (not like the photo).
      Then cut out 8 sections of the egg crating. Each cut out section will hold one of the strainers.
      Space out the cut outs evenly across the egg crating (2 rows of 4 would be nice).

                  
      The PVC rectangle will be placed at the bottom of the tank and some form of weights will be placed on the rectangle to keep it down.

      No need to glue together, just slip it together tightly.  Drill holes in the PVC for the air valves.
      There will be air releases valve on the PVC. These air release valves should line up under each strainer above.

      You could have additional air valves if desired.  Your air line will be attached to the PVC using an air valve.

      The food strainers handle should be cut off , only leaving a stub so that could rest on the edge of the egg crating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                  

                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                         1/2 In. x 10 Ft. Sch 40 Plain                                                      1/2 In. Slip X Slip 90 Deg. PVC Elbow

 

Or any one of the following suction cups or even different ones. Whatever works . These came from EBAY.

     #1                                          #2                                  #3                                       #4                                              #5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                             DIY
                                                                                                         MAKING
                                                                                                     SHRIMP MIX 
                                                                                                             FOR 
                                                                                                   THOSE PETROS
                                                                                            Frank Schulterbrandt  10/04/2010

 

3

 

 

1: 1 pound of frozen green peas.
2: 2 carrots.

3: Fresh Romaine lettuce.
4: 1/2 pound of spirulina powder
5: 1/4 pound NatuRose astaxanthin (for coloring)
6: 3 pounds or more of fresh or frozen shrimp... Shell off.
7: 2 pounds or more  of veggie flake food or ( spirulina/krill flakes/shrimp  blended flakes).
8: 1 - 2 crushed garlic (make sure that the garlic is blended into a paste by adding water... no lumps)
9: Polyvisol or any multi-vitamins liquid form I used 3/4 - 1 ounce.

10: use water as you blend this all together in the blender.... If you don't you will burn out the blender.
Don't let the wife catch you using her blender.
Remember clean up the mess and make sure the blender is spotless.....
that is just my mix : My next batch will include frozen MYSIS or Krill from Jehmco , maybe golden pearls ?
This is an expensive mix but.... 14+ pounds is still cheaper than 14 pounds of flake food..



Procedure :
1: Take all of the veggies and mix in the blender, while adding some water as you blend .
2: Take the flake food and add some to the blender with water .
You must add some water as not to burn out the blender.
3: pour all of the mix in a large bowl and stir and repeat with the flake food step 2.
4: put shrimp in the blender add water ....... blend ... spoon out into the pot
5: keep blending all of the items.... pour into the pot or bowl and stir.
6: Stir all of the items that are in the pots ..... mix them all ....
7: put back into the blender.....
8: pour into ice cube trays then put into plastic bags and freeze.
I put thee whole ice cube tray in heavy mil plastic bags.
but you can freeze the cubes then put into plastic zip lock bags.
9: Just a note when you pour out the mix into the ice trays...
the mix should flow out ... not a real thick paste ..... add water to achieve this.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                             DIY

 

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To be continued