Re: [Killietalk] Secure covers (was Bulkhead fittings)

[Wright Huntley <whuntley at verizon_net>]

Lee,

LeeH920226 at aol_com wrote:

> In a message dated 6/20/04 4:23:47 PM, whuntley at verizon_net writes:
>
> << Doesn't the inside elbow also give you a chance to put the through hole 
> and bulkhead fitting lower than the desired overflow level? Turning the 
> end of the elbow upward raises the water while leaving the hole area 
> stronger (away from an edge), doesn't it?
>  >>
>
> Yes, but I never seem to have any desire to do that since it gives the fish 
> more opportunity to jump out -- even the smallest hole or crack. An inch or two 
> freeboard lessens, but doesn't eliminate that. A truly tight lid is almost 
> impossible to feed 160 tanks every day -- it takes three hands and about five 
> minutes. Five times 160 is 800 minutes or over 13 hours.

I once was feeding about 150 containers and tanks, so know exactly where 
you are coming from, Lee.

Killifish did not tend to be my worst escape artists, though some Rivs 
came close. :-) [Oh, yes. Callopanchax were right up there with the 
champs, now that I think back on it.]

Small wild Betta species could jump several inches up through a 1/4" 
hole in the cover in their quest for crispy-critter martyrdom.

[Knowing this, Sue Bunte once bought some small dried fish at an 
oriental market and scattered them around my fishroom shelves. :-( Who 
needs enemies with friends like that?]

I usually feed with a syringe of some kind, a 6" mini-baster being my 
favorite. A 1/4 to 3/8" hole in the cover didn't tempt most killifish, 
so I left most uncovered. For those most at risk, a marble setting in 
the hole could be pushed aside with the tip of the baster, and pushed 
back when done. Sometimes I just covered the hole with a small piece of 
plastic sheet.

For a more permanent (i.e., Betta) fix, I siliconed a flap of plasic 
stitchery canvas over the inside of the hole, on one edge only. Small 
foods like bbs could be squirted right through it. The tip of the baster 
could bend it down to feed worms o/e.

I hope others find these tricks useful. [And I don't mean Sue's grim prank!]

Wright

--
Wright Huntley - Rt. 001 Box K36, Bishop CA 93514 - whuntley at verizon_net
                      760 872-3995

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