DIY Substrate Leveler

TaDoey · 11-25-2012, 01:02 AM

Just thought I'd share something I made today.

Materials Needed:
Chopsticks (the ones you get at take-out places will suffice)
Card of some sort (I recommend a petco or petsmart card because their thinner than a credit card)
Razor

Total Cost: $0

Time to build: About 5 minutes (writing this thread took longer)

Step 1: Gather materials

Step 2: Cut the wide end with the razor

Step 3: Bend the razor to slip the wood

Step 4: Insert card of choice

Petco card

Petsmart card

Bigger Petsmart card

In action in my new Fluval Chi that I picked up yesterday during Black Friday at Petsmart

And it floats!

Thank you for taking the time to read through the thread

GMYukonon24s · 11-25-2012, 01:54 AM

Nice DIY

TaDoey · 11-25-2012, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMYukonon24s

Nice DIY

Thanks! It means a lot because this is my first DIY.

mattschaefer92 · 11-25-2012, 02:21 AM

This is really cool. Great idea. I love these DIY tool threads.

**sayurasem** · 11-25-2012, 04:11 AM

lol nice!

tinkerpuppet · 11-25-2012, 04:14 AM

That's great! I've been trying a few different things to level out some sand, that looks like it would be perfect. Thanks for sharing!

TaDoey · 11-25-2012, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinkerpuppet

That's great! I've been trying a few different things to level out some sand, that looks like it would be perfect. Thanks for sharing!

Just glad that I could help.

Diana · 11-25-2012, 05:01 PM

I think I would wrap a piece of twist-tie or the smallest zip-tie around the split chopstick. As it shrinks and swells the card will get loose. Even a rubber band, though they will rot with time.

I still use my Pet Smart card for its original purpose, but the Pet Co card has been an algae scraper for so long all the color is wearing off.

brohawk · 11-25-2012, 09:24 PM

Diana · 11-26-2012, 02:51 AM

But TaDoey's has interchangeable sizes, (4 sizes by placing the 2 card sizes in sideways or end first) floats, and reuses things like chopsticks and cards.

Stinkmonky · 11-26-2012, 02:55 AM

Be careful with where you put your fingers when splitting the chopstick with a razor so that you don't end up with 6 fingers on one hand.

TaDoey · 11-26-2012, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brohawk

We use chopsticks instead of spatulas in my house, so I don't have any spare spatulas laying around the house. It probably wouldn't fit in my fluval chi anyway.

11-25-2012, 01:02 AM	#1
TaDoey Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mass Posts: 81	DIY Substrate Leveler Just thought I'd share something I made today. Materials Needed: Chopsticks (the ones you get at take-out places will suffice) Card of some sort (I recommend a petco or petsmart card because their thinner than a credit card) Razor Total Cost: $0 Time to build: About 5 minutes (writing this thread took longer) Step 1: Gather materials Step 2: Cut the wide end with the razor Step 3: Bend the razor to slip the wood Step 4: Insert card of choice Petco card Petsmart card Bigger Petsmart card In action in my new Fluval Chi that I picked up yesterday during Black Friday at Petsmart And it floats! Thank you for taking the time to read through the thread

11-25-2012, 01:54 AM	#2
GMYukonon24s Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2009 Location: MICHIGAN Posts: 2,842	Nice DIY __________________ 110g Tropical Community & Sakura Shrimp 55g BN Breeding Grounds, Peacock Gudgeons, Panda, Pygmies, & Smudge Spot Cories, Rili Shrimp 10g RCS and show guppies MIAPG - Come join us - Plantedtank - MI - Greatlakesaquaria

11-25-2012, 04:11 AM	#5
sayurasem SCAPEr (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Loma Linda, CA Posts: 2,437	lol nice! __________________ #364 \| Eheim Pimp Club #500 \| 12G Rimless Club \| 12 Gallon Loooooooooong Journal

11-25-2012, 04:14 AM	#6
tinkerpuppet Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Calgary. AB, Canada Posts: 325	That's great! I've been trying a few different things to level out some sand, that looks like it would be perfect. Thanks for sharing! __________________ Tinkerpuppets 10gal Do-over Tinkerpuppets low tech 29g

11-25-2012, 09:24 PM	#9
brohawk Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (32/100%) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 580	__________________ 29 gal journal 2.5 gal journal

11-25-2012, 02:21 AM	#4
mattschaefer92 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Michigan, US Posts: 88	This is really cool. Great idea. I love these DIY tool threads.

11-25-2012, 05:01 PM	#8
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,083	I think I would wrap a piece of twist-tie or the smallest zip-tie around the split chopstick. As it shrinks and swells the card will get loose. Even a rubber band, though they will rot with time. I still use my Pet Smart card for its original purpose, but the Pet Co card has been an algae scraper for so long all the color is wearing off.

11-26-2012, 02:51 AM	#10
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,083	But TaDoey's has interchangeable sizes, (4 sizes by placing the 2 card sizes in sideways or end first) floats, and reuses things like chopsticks and cards.

11-26-2012, 02:55 AM	#11
Stinkmonky Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 410	Be careful with where you put your fingers when splitting the chopstick with a razor so that you don't end up with 6 fingers on one hand.

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