Paint a Tank

Make your tank beautiful!

It's easy and inexpensive to spray paint the back and sides of your tank. Not only will it look better, but your fish will be happier, too!

Before you get started…

Paint outside on a dry, sunny day when temperatures are above 70F and there is little wind.
Paint will not adhere to silicone sealant. Remove any excess silicone sealant with a razor blade… not for kids! Be careful and don't break the seal!
These instructions are for glass tanks, only.
We have had good results with a variety of paints. Krylon brand spray paints seem to drip the least.
We recommend the following colors: Black, Blue and Green.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and be safe!

Step	Pictures
Step 1 Place the tank with the front of the aquarium down on a pair of saw horses. Clean the back and sides of the tank with Windex and a soft, clean cloth.
Step 2 Mask the frame of the tank. We recommend 3M Scotch-Blue™ Painter's Tape for Multi-surfaces available at hardware stores and home centers.
Step 3 Apply a strip of masking tape to the front of the tank. This prevents overspray onto the front glass of the tank.
Step 4 Use newspaper to completely cover the top of the tank. This step prevents paint from adhering to the inside of the aquarium.
Step 5 Paint the sides of the tank. The spray tip should be 6 to 8" from the glass. Tip: Don't overspray. Avoid drips.
Step 6 Paint the back of the tank.
Step 7 It will take a minimum of three coats of paint. In between coats, invert the spray can and spray to clean the nozzle.
Step 8 Look through the bottom of the tank to check for coverage. After three coats, you should not be able to see light through the painted surfaces.
Step 9 Allow the last coat to dry thoroughly. Remove and discard the masking tape. Enjoy your tank!

Photos by Rick Borstein. Demonstration by Sam Borstein.

Making Inexpensive Tank Covers

Make four 10-gallon tank covers for under 5 bucks!

With just a few tools, you can make durable and inexpensive tank covers using prismatic lens lighting panels. The material comes in 2 feet by 4 feet sheets are used as the lenses for fluorescent fixtures in drop ceilings. You can find it any hardware or home center store.

Before you get started…

Be safe! Wear safety goggles.
This projects involves the use of sharp tools. Be careful! This is not a project for kids.

Step

Pictures

Tools Needed

a. Utility Knife
— or —
b. Acrylic cutter

c. Carpenters square

d. Fine-point marker

e. Cutting surface such as a sheet of plywood, not shown.

f. Fine Sandpaper, not shown.

g. Gorilla Glue (optional)

a.	b.
c.	d.
g.

Materials

a. Purchase a 2' by 4' sheet ofStyrene Prismatic Clear Lighting Panel. The green labeled material at right is available from Home Depot. Expect to pay between $3 and $5.

This is the cheapest material and works better than more expensive acrylic sheets which warp.

b. Close up view of the material.

Step 1

Measure the inside frame of your tank and subtract 1/8" from both the width and depth dimensions.

Step 2

Place the plastic sheet flat side up on a hard surface like a large piece of plywood.

Use the ruler to carefully measure across the shortest dimension of the sheet.

Mark a small line with the permanent marker.

Step 3

Lay the square on the sheet at the mark you made in Step 2.

Hold the square down firmly and score the sheet repeatedly with the utility knife (or acrylic cutter).

Continue scoring until you have cut through the material.

Step 4

Cut the corners to add access for airlines and heaters.

Simply score a corner and bend to snap.

Step 5

Smooth the edges with the fine sandpaper.

Optional Steps

Add a Knob

A knob makes it easy to remove the cover. Purchase the following:

Plastic knob
1/2" Stainless steel screw to fit knob
1" nylon washer

Drill a 3/16" hole about 1" from the front edge of the cover and install the knob.

Add a Feeding Hole

Use a 2" hole saw to add a feeding hole. A drill press gives the best results, but you can use a standard electric drill if you have a steady hand.

Use a backing board and work slowly through the material.

Add filter cut-outs

For outside filters, carefully measure from the edge of the tank to the furthest protruding edge of the filter.

Transfer these measurements to the tank cover and score the outline of the cutout.

Flex the cuts leading from the edge of the cover in first. Next, flex the cuts parallel to the edge and break out the piece.

You may need to reinforce the cover. See below.

Strengthen large covers

Large covers over 18" may need reinforcement. Some options:

a. Use Gorilla Glue (polyurethane glue) and plastic drywall corners. This is the easiest method. The glue hardens through the small holes adding strength.

b. Use clear corner protectors and stainless steel screws. You will also need to add a small nylon washer.

Photos by Rick Borstein.

A high-quality, fiber-rich food | See other How-To Guides

Tropheus and mbuna are prone to bloating. Providing lots of fiber and vegetable matter in the diet is one of the best ways to maintain good health. Commercial, prepared foods are often lacking in fiber and vitamins.

This food is rich in fiber (shrimp shells, veggies), vitamins and includes garlic to help guard against intestinal parasites.

Before you get started…

Purchase needed items and lay out everything required.
Never switch fish to a new diet quickly. Introduce a small amount of the food at a time and watch your fish over a period of days to gauge acceptance and consequences.
This is not a project for kids. As always, use care when using a knife or a food processor.

Step	Pictures
Tools/Equipment a. Food Processor b. Paring knife and garlic press c. 8 Zip-loc sandwich bags Measuring cup(s) Measuring spoons Spatula and a large spoon	a. b. c.
Ingredients a. 12 oz. package of med-large frozen raw shrimp with shell, thawed b. Liquid Aquarium Vitamins (HW Multi-vit shown) c. 8 oz. (1/2 pkg) frozen peas d. 3 broccolli stumps e. 2 medium carrots, scrubbed f. 6 leaves Romaine lettuce, washed and trimmed g. 2 packets of Knox gelatin h. 1 clove fresh garlic, peeled	a. b. c. d./e./f. g. h.
Step 1 Measure 1/4 cup of very cold water in a measuring cup. Sprinkle the two packages over the surface. Mix with a spoon to a slurry consistency.
Step 2 Add 3/4 cup of boiling water to the gelatin mixture. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
Step 3 Place the frozen peas in a heat-proof bowl. Add boiling water to cover.
Step 4 Make sure the shrimp are thawed out. Rinse and add to the food processor.
Step 5 Process the shrimp to a paste-like consistency. Some small pieces are OK.
Step 6 Drain the peas.
Step 7 Add the peas to the food bowl and process until smooth.
Step 8 Peel the rough outer layer from the broccolli stumps.
Step 9 Cut the carrots and broccolli stumps into 1/4 inch pieces. Note— if you do not have a very powerful food processor, you may wish to process these first with a little water and set them aside.
Step 10 Tear the Romaine lettuce into small pieces.
Step 11 Add the broccolli, carrots and lettuce to the food processor bowl. Process to small chunks. You may need to stop periodically and scrape down the sides.
Step 12 Add the gelatin mixture and process until smooth.
Step 13 Force the peeled garlic clove through the garlic press into the bowl. Add 1 TBS (tablespoon) of the liquid vitamins.
Step 14 Process until thoroughly mixed.
Step 15 Spoon some of the food mixture into a ziploc bag until it is one-quarter full.
Step 16 Lay the filled bag on a flat surface and carefully squeeze out any air. Seal the bag. Keep flat.
Step 17 You should have 6–8 sandwich bags of food. Lay them flat on a piece of cardboard or a cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 3–4 hours.
Step 18 The food mix should have firmed up to a jelly-like consistency. Transfer to the freezer.
Feed it! Do not thaw the food. Break off small piece of the frozen food and feed your fish. Always take care when introducing new foods. Some fish, especially those used to flake foods, take a while to take interest in this food.