Deans fry boxes?

[Flyin Jawaiian]

Hey everyone I’ve been tryna figure out where dean has been getting his fry breeder boxes that he places on his tanks in his videos with the white bottom but water is still able to flow through with a sponge as the filter. Any ideas is his custom made or ordered??

[mountaintoppufferkeeper]

I would search Deans fry box on youtube and watch those results but it is custom using off the shelf containers that are then hotrodded to that layout with the proper paint bolts and sponge. I have heard rumors that there may be a club member talk going in depth on that systrm in the future. 

[Jason A.]

I went to Daiso store, my mother in-law called the Japanese dollar store. anyways I found a pan that looks similar to what dean uses for his fry, it's white with rounded corners but the size fits the top of a 10g exactly lengthways with 5" of room left on either side of the tank. this could be the grail so many have been searching for. I'll have to post a picture.

They are roughly 2" deep

[Hobbit]

I too have searched for the perfect container to try to replicate Dean’s fry boxes. I haven’t figured out all the pieces yet, but this bin from The Container Store fits across a 55 gallon perfectly! It’s not what Dean uses—yours looks much closer @Jason A.—but I’m hopeful it will work just as well!

[Jason A.]

the thing I was looking for was one that was not too deep so fry had no issue coming up for air, yours looks 8"-9" deep

[ARMYVET]

On 9/20/2021 at 5:45 PM, Jason A. said:

the thing I was looking for was one that was not too deep so fry had no issue coming up for air, yours looks 8"-9" deep

Good Point....I got a bit excited at @Hobbit bin because I could fit a few side by side like @Dean’s Fishroomdoes but you caught it quick about the depth.  

The Hunt continues...LOL

[Jason A.]

Here is a picture of the label if it helps you at all

[Struggle]

I think Bentley Pascoe had links to these trays in the comment section of the video that he did on Dean’s fry rack.

[Hobbit]

On 9/20/2021 at 5:45 PM, Jason A. said:

the thing I was looking for was one that was not too deep so fry had no issue coming up for air, yours looks 8"-9" deep

The picture is deceiving—it’s actually only 5” deep. Though either way, you can control the depth of the water by where you cut the sponge hole. (You’d have to fill the tank to match, otherwise you’d get floating bins. 😅)

[Flyin Jawaiian]

All of these systems though would require a drain through system right? I see everyone using the drip system to cycle water through the tanks. I was trying to think of a way of implementing a sponge filter tube then glue it to the bottom of the box and have the bubbles push air up then have the excess flow out through the sponge filter cutting 

[Tihshho]

On 9/21/2021 at 1:00 PM, Flyin Jawaiian said:

All of these systems though would require a drain through system right? I see everyone using the drip system to cycle water through the tanks. I was trying to think of a way of implementing a sponge filter tube then glue it to the bottom of the box and have the bubbles push air up then have the excess flow out through the sponge filter cutting 

Funny you said this, I toyed with this idea a few years back. The issue I ran into was the flow generated in this. For larger and robust fry this isn't an issue. For tiny and delicate fry, you're going to run into issues of too much flow and adding a trapping point for them with too little flow. The other thing about it too was that it wasn't quick to pull and swap tubs as you had to disconnect the airline from the sponge setup. For a holding tank I would say this is ideal, for a fry system you'd want to make it as 'dummy' proof as possible so that your order of operations are simple and quick as to not risk the fry. The other issue with the hole in the bottom method is that you cannot pull the tray easily without the risk of it draining unless you silicon the tube in place. That as well is that if you have something protruding you can't pull the tray and sit it down on a flat surface in a stable manner. 

[Flyin Jawaiian]

On 9/21/2021 at 7:21 AM, Tihshho said:

Funny you said this, I toyed with this idea a few years back. The issue I ran into was the flow generated in this. For larger and robust fry this isn't an issue. For tiny and delicate fry, you're going to run into issues of too much flow and adding a trapping point for them with too little flow. The other thing about it too was that it wasn't quick to pull and swap tubs as you had to disconnect the airline from the sponge setup. For a holding tank I would say this is ideal, for a fry system you'd want to make it as 'dummy' proof as possible so that your order of operations are simple and quick as to not risk the fry. The other issue with the hole in the bottom method is that you cannot pull the tray easily without the risk of it draining unless you silicon the tube in place. That as well is that if you have something protruding you can't pull the tray and sit it down on a flat surface in a stable manner. 

Brooo you nailed my question right in the head! Lol. Now it just made me more stuck on what I could do. I was thinking of possibly making some type of u bend on a small piece of plastic tubing similar to how the python hook hose attracted to the side of the tank, then adding the stone on the bottom just like how the fluval hang on the back breeding tank, how their water cycle system works just gotta figure out how to implement that onto a container inside of the tank. I also Feel as if I’m possibly overthinking it like how you guys said earlier the easiest and dumb proof setup it probably the best lol. 

[Tihshho]

The outside tube idea is actually pretty novel idea if it doesn't take up too much space. Would also reduce the need of having a water pump to fill the tray. You'd just need to find a way to make the tubes with the right bend and you'd be good to go. 

[Flyin Jawaiian]

On 9/21/2021 at 12:55 PM, Tihshho said:

The outside tube idea is actually pretty novel idea if it doesn't take up too much space. Would also reduce the need of having a water pump to fill the tray. You'd just need to find a way to make the tubes with the right bend and you'd be good to go. 

I was thinking of something around this design? I love my hang on fry box it just sticks out and looks really ugly lol I wouldn’t mind dedicating a 29gal or even just a 20 long to be just a fry tank, keep the larger grow outs on the bottom then keep multiple fry trays on top. Then all you would need is air splitters above, and have your airlines run to each box’s tube. 

[Tihshho]

Yep, that was the design I thought you were talking about. They can create a ton of flow with the right pressure, but probably more than necessary here. Keep up posted if you go this route, it definitely would be awesome to see a water pump free setup for all of this!

[Hobbit]

On 9/21/2021 at 3:29 PM, Flyin Jawaiian said:

I was thinking of possibly making some type of u bend on a small piece of plastic tubing similar to how the python hook hose attracted to the side of the tank, then adding the stone on the bottom just like how the fluval hang on the back breeding tank, how their water cycle system works just gotta figure out how to implement that onto a container inside of the tank

On 9/21/2021 at 6:55 PM, Tihshho said:

The outside tube idea is actually pretty novel idea if it doesn't take up too much space. Would also reduce the need of having a water pump to fill the tray. You'd just need to find a way to make the tubes with the right bend and you'd be good to go. 

Funny you should say this…

Making this tube was super easy after watching Dean’s muck bucket video!

The part I can’t figure out is the bottom. I know I want an airline attached to the end, but I haven’t quite figured out a way to do that. It may involve an elbow like this, but how to attach it? Not sure superglue would be enough on two pieces of plastic.

 

 

 

[Flyin Jawaiian]

On 9/21/2021 at 6:13 PM, Hobbit said:

Funny you should say this…

Making this tube was super easy after watching Dean’s muck bucket video!

The part I can’t figure out is the bottom. I know I want an airline attached to the end, but I haven’t quite figured out a way to do that. It may involve an elbow like this, but how to attach it? Not sure superglue would be enough on two pieces of plastic.

 

 

 

Woooow that looks soo perfect!! If you know the dimensions of the tubing, I think you may be able to source a type of cap, then I would drill a hole large enough for that elbo and use 100% silicone to seal that then you can drill holes on the bottom of the cap to allow water to be pulled up. That would be for the bottom I’m thinking in my head lol. The top you would probably want a way to somewhat restrict the free flow so maybe another can with more holes that way it’ll regulate and aerate the water better for the fry. Where did you find that tube?  It looks like the one they sell at Disneyland for the flavored powder candy😂

On 9/21/2021 at 6:13 PM, Hobbit said:

Funny you should say this…

Making this tube was super easy after watching Dean’s muck bucket video!

The part I can’t figure out is the bottom. I know I want an airline attached to the end, but I haven’t quite figured out a way to do that. It may involve an elbow like this, but how to attach it? Not sure superglue would be enough on two pieces of plastic.

 

 

 

I’m just basing my ideas off of this design, I figure if it works then try to mimic it and that design should be achievable as well. If it doesn’t work then it will just need some minor adjustments as with any other system that’s homemade right? Lol I think of us as pioneers until it becomes commercially made 😂

Edited September 22, 2021 by Flyin Jawaiian

[Hobbit]

Haha it does look like those sugar tubes doesn’t it? I got it here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002APYS6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It seems way too expensive for what it is, but I bought it anyway because I couldn’t find a better price.

In terms of caps, what do you think about this?

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=29219&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqKuKBhCxARIsACf4XuEx7lw6GEfTNcGSZnQFPgvZQ91RpvMAAFthOUBnJXJfg-AamUO3GBQaAo0kEALw_wcB

Is polyethylene an aquarium safe plastic?

[Hobbit]

Ah, here’s some tubing that’s a very similar size but a lot cheaper per foot.

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=27951&catid=736

I think a lot of things labeled “aquarium” are upcharged. (Except at Aquarium Coop 😊)

[Tihshho]

Great work @Hobbit!

If this is a fry system without fry in the bottom part of the tank (as in only tubs) you could leave this capless, get a airline union and drill into the tube at a 45 degree angle, and install the union. From there you can attach airline and the air portion is done, just need to work out mounting to the tub.

This is me being paranoid, so take it as you will, but for future tubes I wouldn't do a full U/180 bend. If it were me I'd go for a 90 and put the output in the middle of the bin on the far end of bin to get some cross flow. The U is going to dump water downward, so this design would be limited to non topwater/small species of fry. For big bodied babies (Live Bearers or Ancistrus) this shouldn't be an issue, but for things that are more top water or fragile (think egg laying species, Rainbows being the worst of them) the downward flow is going to damage them if it's too high. outflow trickling across the surface rather than perpendicular (down) to the surface would be more gentle. The other thing is you don't want the outlet of the tube below the waters surface. Between the excess air causing agitation, and then the possible risk of fry having an escape route if power goes out would be the driver. I like to make things so it's one and done so that they are universal. Again, this is me just being paranoid, so take that as you will. 

Regardless, great work! I can't wait to see it in action.

[Hobbit]

@Tihshho those are great points! I’ll see what the water flow is like—for this one, I can always cut the outflow shorter or put a sponge on it to try to make it less turbulent. And then of course I’ll adjust the angle for the future ones.

My thought was to try to raise shrimp in the tank below the fry boxes. (At least for my 10g setup.) If a baby shrimp gets sucked into a box, that might actually be a good thing!

[CT_]

I've watched too many videos featuring Dean and it looks like he's used several boxes depending on his needs.  My favorite one though is the 1980's microwave dinner box.  GL finding that 😛

[Ryan S.]

Pretty sure this is what dean uses.  He paints them white. 

[Dean’s Fishroom]

Look for a new video coming out from the Co-op. We made a DIY one about the fry boxes I make.

[Flyin Jawaiian]

On 9/28/2021 at 6:43 PM, Dean’s Fishroom said:

Look for a new video coming out from the Co-op. We made a DIY one about the fry boxes I make.

Woohoo!!! I can’t believe the man himself is here on my thread 😎🤙🏽 Awesome can’t wait. Love every single one of your videos dean!!