Reaching the Bottom?

MechEng99 · 10/02/2010, 04:55 PM

So, I've learned a 31" deep tank looks awesome, but isn't so great when I'm trying to get corals down and my arms are faaaar from reaching the bottom. What sort of tongs, etc do you guys find the best to use to get SPS just in the right spot? I don't want super-strong tongs since they might damage SPS, but I also don't want tongs that don't work well. Thoughts?

rezaktp · 10/02/2010, 05:03 PM

Try using a small stool / ladder to step on so you can get your arm in all the way. Tongs are a PITA to use!

MechEng99 · 10/02/2010, 09:12 PM

Um, I don't have 31" long arms. I'm a short girl, so I'm already using a small step ladder. Even my husband doesn't have arms long enough to put coral on the bottom of the tank.

Are there any decent tongs out there? What does everyone use?

dave.m · 10/02/2010, 11:03 PM

This is from Hutch's thread. I thought it was brilliant!

Dave.M

GhostCon1 · 10/02/2010, 11:43 PM

No, I want the ones on the bottom

MechEng99 · 10/03/2010, 06:43 AM

Unfortunately, I'm already doing the whole scuba mask/snorkel with a ladder. I have no other option to put frags on the bottom. Someone out there *has* to be using tongs of some sort to get frags on the bottom!?

tlalok · 10/03/2010, 09:39 AM

i have always hated hobbyist tongs. i use grill tongs. better even pressure.

MechEng99 · 10/03/2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlalok

i have always hated hobbyist tongs. i use grill tongs. better even pressure.

Any problem with rusting moreso than hobbyist tongs? I can just see it now...hubby coming home to me using his Craftsman grill tongs in the aquarium.

I'm starting to think I want a DIY project...maybe something like this?
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Litter-Tongs/

tlalok · 10/03/2010, 10:54 AM

they make similar to those out of bamboo that are pretty nice. i use an anodized aluminum set i picked up a couple years ago and have coated the teeth with silicone.

also you could look into snake/reptile tongs as well.

bamboo

http://www.google.com/products/catal...wBg#ps-sellers

anodized aluminum snake tongs

http://www.ketch-all.com/index.php?p=show&id=9

there are others as well though

here are some plastic tongs

http://www.google.com/products/catal...MAY#ps-sellers

there are plenty of options outside of the reefing world.

dave.m · 10/03/2010, 11:22 AM

You could follow those DIY plans but make them out of that PVC faux wood that is being used more and more for outdoor projects. Supposed to be the same strength as pine. That way you'd have no concerns about rusting metal parts, breakdown of wood in salt water or any leaching of chemicals into the tank.

djm

MechEng99 · 10/03/2010, 11:44 AM

I'd love those snake tongs! Those don't look like they'd fall apart easily.

Dave - I like your idea of using the PVC faux wood. I think I'm going to use the DIY plans, the faux wood, and then make different ends to the tongs that can screw on/off so I have some options for the various coral types going into the tank.

sasharotty · 10/03/2010, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GhostCon1

No, I want the ones on the bottom

From the cold tank preferably! LOL

10/02/2010, 04:55 PM	#1
MechEng99 aka Reef'd Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,311	Reaching the Bottom? So, I've learned a 31" deep tank looks awesome, but isn't so great when I'm trying to get corals down and my arms are faaaar from reaching the bottom. What sort of tongs, etc do you guys find the best to use to get SPS just in the right spot? I don't want super-strong tongs since they might damage SPS, but I also don't want tongs that don't work well. Thoughts? __________________ See my homepage for more information on rescuing coral! PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Systems: 200g SPS-dominant, 75g Rescue, 30g QT, & 10g QT

10/02/2010, 05:03 PM	#2
rezaktp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gurnee, IL Posts: 1,407	Try using a small stool / ladder to step on so you can get your arm in all the way. Tongs are a PITA to use! __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: 180g. Reef w/8-80w t-5's, 70g. Rubbermaid basement sump w/10g. fuge, APEX, Reef Octopus SRO 2000 Skimmer, 1/3hp Aqualogic chiller, 57w Aqua Ultraviolet UV, BRS 2-part w/2-Drews Dosers, 4-MP40wES

10/02/2010, 09:12 PM	#3
MechEng99 aka Reef'd Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,311	Um, I don't have 31" long arms. I'm a short girl, so I'm already using a small step ladder. Even my husband doesn't have arms long enough to put coral on the bottom of the tank. Are there any decent tongs out there? What does everyone use? __________________ See my homepage for more information on rescuing coral! PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Systems: 200g SPS-dominant, 75g Rescue, 30g QT, & 10g QT

10/02/2010, 11:03 PM	#4
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	This is from Hutch's thread. I thought it was brilliant! Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

10/02/2010, 11:43 PM	#5
GhostCon1 Rebmem Deretsiger Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,590	No, I want the ones on the bottom __________________ In the works Current Tank Info: Getting a big'un

10/03/2010, 06:43 AM	#6
MechEng99 aka Reef'd Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,311	Unfortunately, I'm already doing the whole scuba mask/snorkel with a ladder. I have no other option to put frags on the bottom. Someone out there has to be using tongs of some sort to get frags on the bottom!? __________________ See my homepage for more information on rescuing coral! PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Systems: 200g SPS-dominant, 75g Rescue, 30g QT, & 10g QT

10/03/2010, 09:39 AM	#7
tlalok Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NC Posts: 33	i have always hated hobbyist tongs. i use grill tongs. better even pressure. __________________ I am a psychopath for high color zos or palys Current Tank Info: 220g extra tall ******* custom acrylic. 48x40x26

10/03/2010, 10:54 AM	#9
tlalok Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NC Posts: 33	they make similar to those out of bamboo that are pretty nice. i use an anodized aluminum set i picked up a couple years ago and have coated the teeth with silicone. also you could look into snake/reptile tongs as well. bamboo http://www.google.com/products/catal...wBg#ps-sellers anodized aluminum snake tongs http://www.ketch-all.com/index.php?p=show&id=9 there are others as well though here are some plastic tongs http://www.google.com/products/catal...MAY#ps-sellers there are plenty of options outside of the reefing world. __________________ I am a psychopath for high color zos or palys Current Tank Info: 220g extra tall ******* custom acrylic. 48x40x26

10/03/2010, 11:22 AM	#10
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	You could follow those DIY plans but make them out of that PVC faux wood that is being used more and more for outdoor projects. Supposed to be the same strength as pine. That way you'd have no concerns about rusting metal parts, breakdown of wood in salt water or any leaching of chemicals into the tank. djm __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

10/03/2010, 11:44 AM	#11
MechEng99 aka Reef'd Up Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,311	I'd love those snake tongs! Those don't look like they'd fall apart easily. Dave - I like your idea of using the PVC faux wood. I think I'm going to use the DIY plans, the faux wood, and then make different ends to the tongs that can screw on/off so I have some options for the various coral types going into the tank. __________________ See my homepage for more information on rescuing coral! PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Systems: 200g SPS-dominant, 75g Rescue, 30g QT, & 10g QT

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