[Niche Nano Fish Question]

Of course Cory has a video! Thank you 

[Niche Nano Fish Question]

On 11/8/2022 at 6:38 PM, anitstuk said:

I've tried to catch them during feeding time. I got some floating pellets to distract them and got them in a cup with some water. I always try to use cups more than nets since the nets sometimes destroy the fish's slimy coating. 

Thanks! Cups should work provided I take the hides and equipment out. I'll try this as yes, you are right nets can damage the slime coat. 

[Niche Nano Fish Question]

I have some chili rasboras in quarantine and they are tinier than I expected. They will be added to a 20 long with some pygmy cories in a few weeks. My question is, does anyone know the best way to net/catch these guys when their quarantine is over? I'm thinking take out the filter, heater, hides, etc., drain the tank low, and use two nets to catch them? Suggestions? These guys seem like they'll be hard to get. I've never received fish so tiny before, even my pygmy cories seem larger! 

[Cinder Block Rack with Warping Wood]

I live in South Florida, so moisture is basically a condition of existence down here haha. I think I'll have to be that person in the hardware store sifting through every board looking for the best possible one. Thanks again everyone for your help and advice! 

[Cinder Block Rack with Warping Wood]

On 6/5/2022 at 1:40 PM, Pepere said:

As a matter of background information, I used to build boats in wood for customers.  
Wood is an area I know a bit about.

kiln drying of wood is not irreversible. I have bought “kiln dried” woodthat spit at me as I hammered a nail in it.  Ie, exposure toexcess water reabsorbs into the wood.

Also, kiln drying, or drying in any form, does not stop wood movement.  It reveals it.

when wood is cut into boards from a tree, internal stresses in the wood is present.  As it dries, the water in the cells comes out and the wood shrinks.  More across the grain than with it.

treatments to stop this are of limited utility.  Picture Sissiphus pushing the rock uphil.  Usefull for small pieces…

the best you can do is look for cuts that will minimize this function.

 

look at the end grain of the piece that is annoying you. Do you see the very center of the tree is in the center of that board, yet alsow at the lower third of the thickness? As such, as the wood dries your shrinkage is twice amuch across the rings as opposed to through them.  Ie the rings are straightening as they shrink pulling the ends of the boardup.  Ie cupping.

Alternatively, looking at the endgrain of the board not causing you problems, it shows this piece came from further away from the center of the tree.

both of these boards are plainsawn as opposed to quartersawn.  Quartersawn boards would have the growth rings vertical in the board through the narrow part of the board when looking at the endgrain.  Quartersawn boards are the leasr susceptible to cupping.

As a boatbuilder, I would cut strips of wood from a piece similar to the one causing you truble and then reglue them together alternating the growth ring pattern to even out the stresses and avoid that area around the center.

i sort of suspect you would prefer not to be cutting and pasting though.

 

as such I would reccomend buying another piece where the endgrain looks a lot more like the one not causing problems.

Thank you so much for your thorough response. I think I see what you mean about the center of the tree. And you are correct, unfortunately I don't have the tools or knowledge to start cutting and pasting wood. I appreciate your reply and will definitely take this under advisement when I get myself to the hardware store! 

[Cinder Block Rack with Warping Wood]

On 6/5/2022 at 12:35 PM, Wrencher_Scott said:

Look for dried wood, sometimes it will be labeled kiln dried.

If that didn't work I think you might have to go with something pre treated. Which is ugly. 😞 

Thank you, looks like the home depot near me has some southern yellow pine kiln dried. If this warps one more time I am just going to go the garage shelf rack route. Just don't want to give up and spend all that money quite yet! Thanks again! 

On 6/5/2022 at 12:42 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

I would also suggest warping could happen with the weight of course but also the moisture. I would put some shelf liner down on the wood to protect it from that. Inexpensive investment!

Yes, definitely a consideration. I stained all the boards and the other 3 seem to be holding up well, but I think your idea is good on top of all that. I'll have to check it out when I go to get my new wood 

[Cinder Block Rack with Warping Wood]

Hey all, 

Looking for some help with my cinder block rack: Tanks are resting on 2x8s cut to 69 inches. The frontward top piece is warping. (Pics below, you can see the end is cupping) I am going to replace it (again as this has happened before) but I'm getting so frustrated. This is the second time the wood in this position has warped. All the other boards have held up fine! Suggestions on maybe better distributing the weight on this stand or what type of wood might hold up best? 

PS: The twenty long is getting some rummy nose tetras soon and those 10 gallons used to hold bettas but one died and one was moved to a 5 gallon cube retirement tank because his fins have gotten long and heavy. 

[Watching Dean videos gave me the outdoor pond bug!!]

On 6/3/2022 at 10:23 PM, Fish Folk said:

I actually chalked-lined out exactly where the shade line fell at mid-day in order to reposition my tubs...

I use plant holders, invert them, cut holes for fish to swim into and out of, and submerse...

 

I reference this book quite frequently too. Dr. Coletti came and spoke at our fish club just a few months ago. His presentation really helped me this year...

Are those the resin/plastic barrels you're using? They look great 

[Watching Dean videos gave me the outdoor pond bug!!]

Thanks so much! I tried the Jack Daniels barrel myself but I felt like the bottom of the liner didn't touch the bottom of the barrel which worried me. Maybe I can get that plus some levelling sand to build a foundation within the barrel. Thanks again for your help!

[Watching Dean videos gave me the outdoor pond bug!!]

Hi! Is that the MacCourt preformed liner? I have one but haven't been able to find a barrel it fits in properly. Do you mind sharing what barrel you're using there with it? I'm planning on rice fish myself if I can find some! 

[Excited to be Here!]

Thanks everyone! I'll have to share my set up after I make a minor repair. I am currently dealing with a 2x8 that has warped pretty significantly. I think this forum is the motivation I needed to go down to the hardware store! Thanks again for the warm welcome! 

[Excited to be Here!]

Hi, I'm Colleen, a graduate student with a study fish room supported by the trusty old cinderblock and lumber rack! I'm excited to be here, as is Duke, the beautiful betta pictured below.