Fishy Skybridge

[liveforphysics]

Back in my FOLR+cheato days, I built this up to link my 90gal with my 55gal. The fish really seemed to love it, many would take the trip back and forth about 50-100+ times a day. They would actaully have fishy traffic jams in there occasionally, and eventually establish a little fish pecking order (the large trigger was generally not challenged much).

I mounted that little stopcock in the top for easily sucking the air out (and hence water in). I know, I know, red silicon was all that I had at the time, and on my budget, I just make do with what i have.

The lawnmower and snails would keep the tube clean for me, and it was really a blast to have the fish hanging out in the tube over your head watching you eat dinner.

Just wanted to share this idea with people in hopes that they might also get as much enjoyment from it as I did. Total materials cost for the project was something like $37, and I belive it had the best enjoyment/$ ratio I have ever spent in my aquarium hobby. There are no elbows in the design, just very careful cuts edge on edge bonded with acrilic cement. I was unable to break the tube/connections even with some pretty serious proveing abuse before installing it.

Enjoy!

-Luke

PS: for the sharp eyed sort, that is a clarkii clown nesting in a very agressive $3.99 atlantic annomnie. I also had a false perc, true perc, and a gold marron that nested in condi's. So, when people tell you that blah blah clown requires blah blah annomnie, just kinda smile and say thanks.

 

[mattseattle]

that's a sweet idea.... reminds me of my old hamster cages when i was a kid.

 

[liveforphysics]

I forgot to mention, it has a constant mild current running through it from a powerhead constantly pumping from the 55 to the 90, and the tube always keeping the water heights equal.

From bubbles ending up in the tube, it required some of the air being sucked out about once or twice a month, but it was really like a >1min affair, so I would barely call it a maintence concern.

 

[reedman]

That's crazy! Very cool.

 

[wrightme43]

Groovy. I have a customer that wants to do that in a restarunt that should be done some time this winter coming up.

 

[spongebob lover]

lol !!! that's awesome dood !!!
the only time i have seen something like this was at the Rainforest cafe in Vancouver Ca.
i gotta tell you... i love your idea and for sure someday i'll do the same thing .

 

[mungus]

Awsome idea!! That's so cool!!

Brian

 

[Blazer88]

I dig it, very creative!

 

[flugelnuss]

Cool idea Luke. I like it. Have any recent pics now of your new reef setups?

Jeff

 

[Slickdonkey]

I just saw this... sorry to dig up an old thread but I just had to say this is awesome.

 

[spongebob lover]

I just saw this... sorry to dig up an old thread but I just had to say this is awesome

it's always kewl to dig up old threads which reminds me the answer and ask thread .

 

[bc_slc]

wow, crazy pic of the fish actually traveling across.

 

[liveforphysics]

Yep, they went back and forth about every 10mins or so depending on the fish, the coral beauty would run laps back and forth, she seemed to really like it. There were actually a number of fishy traffic jams from fish trying to pass eachother in the tube. During dinners, the puffer would often just camp out in the tube and watch us eat. It was a lot of fun, and though I'm not planning to ever have a FOLR tank again, I do miss those little guys, so much personality in puffers and triggers.

 

[Krish]

Why not throw one more tank in-line for kicks!:lol: Looks cool man

 

[spongebob lover]

Why not throw one more tank in-line for kicks! Looks cool man

lol i agree dood the next tank could be like their jacuzzi OR it could be their making out tank .

 

[marinelife]

That is a cool idea!

 

[Aquatic Guru]

That is awesome! Never knew that can actually be done at home. Especially from a 55 to a 90. I only seen this kind of thing at a rainforest cafe and at a Regent Casino in Winnipeg, Canada. Good job. It'll be cool one day if you could upgrade that 55 to a 90. Then you'll have both 90 gallon tank.

 

[liveforphysics]

Aquatic Fooru-
I set that up while I was staying at my parents house for a bit. When I moved out again, my dad didnt like having to feed them and stuff, it was all taken down about 6months ago or so. I think he kept those tanks and stands (got the tanks for free and welded up the the stands for $10 in materials), but I'm not sure. I might use it again someday when I get a real house to live in long enough to turn into a home. I would love to connect all my tanks that way in my current appartment, but my GF was not hot on the idea at all... Something about getting our deposite back on the carpet ect...

 

[loohunter]

puffers and triggers do seem to have the greatest personalitys. they are so happy to see their keepers just like dogs, they wag their tails and everything. i miss my porky as well

 

[liveforphysics]

So true! I loved the puffer, he was so friendly, and that trigger was hilarious with the qwerky little things he did. He had certian shells in the tank that he absoultely HATED! You could set them within about 6" of his little dug-out spot he made, and he would just freak out. First hideing from it, then attacking it, then carrying it in his mouth to the far opposite side of the tank and dropping it, somtimes burrying it!

The puffer was so loveable. He would always rush to the top of the tank and loved to be pet like a dog when you got near. My dad said when it was time to catch the fish to bring them back to the pet store that he just reached his hand in cupped, and the puffer just swam right into his hand and was totally calm about being lifted out and placed in the bucket.