A Cheato Hamster Ball for the Reef Tank?

[Techknowledgy]

What if I made a clear crystal/plastic/acrylic ball that was filled with cheato. Say the size of a tennis ball. It would have a lot of "gaps" or slices out of it so that with growth parts of the "salad" would be available to my tangs and my "never stops eating" CBB. It probably would float. Something for them to pick at. Obviously all of the picking would move it around a lot.

Is this a "Hey... try it Roland" or a you are :crazy:

(I had a dream about this guys! .... I gotta get out more.......)

[KingRB]

Might work.
You should try it...

[Technoviking]

I really like the idea, try it for sure!

[sandiegan]

Should work. You could also get some of that rigid plastic grid stuff and make a cube out of it. Fishing line to tie the pieces together and one magnet to hold the top part closed. Same principle, but this one will sink probably.

[Redeye]

it will knock over alot of corals and whatnot as the tangs sling it around

[Techknowledgy]

How about if I put a ping pong ball in the middle so it will float? It would then just tumble around at surface level.

[GoTakuF1]

Sounds like a good idea, like an in-tank refugium. Depending on the material that you use, it can be made to float. You can also tether it to something at the water surface as well if you worry about it sinking/tangs knocking it around. To get the chaetomorpha to be sustainable, it will have to be tethered in a well-lit area with adequate flow.

[seahorse_man]

just use a hamster ball,no need to make one

[Techknowledgy]

That is what I am looking into. A small hamster ball. Petco here I come.

[Techknowledgy]

Installed. Floating with a ping pong ball center. Not touching any corals just bobbing around. Keep you posted when the fish have gotten used to it.

[Fishaholic]

sounds like a great idea to me, they could always keep it trimmed :D

[Fishaholic]

thats a eienstien idea

[Techknowledgy]

Let you know how it works. I made the slits a bit wider by removing little pieces of plastic. Anthing that grows outside of the ball through the slits is tang toast!

[frankalank]

Any updates on this?? Seems like an amazing idea, and I will definitelly follow your lead if you have been successful. It's been about a week, how is it going?

[Techknowledgy]

It works. The ball stays afloat because of the ping pong ball center. Moves around at one end of my tank, spinning over gently every once in a while. The yellow tang, CBB and all of the other Chaeto eaters wait for an opening to try to get at the goodies inside. I used the small one from PetCo. $6.00. Once the fish were used to it, they like it. Maybe they will pick at this instead of my other stuff!

[99sf]

Fun idea! When can we see some photos? Are you using a filter sock? All that digested chaeto will end up back in the tank.

[frankalank]

Cool! Thanks for the great idea and the advice.

[Techknowledgy]

I will take some pics. I am using a filter sock, but with all of the herbivores, I am sure none of it makes it that far. This could be a great solution for someone who wants a fuge without the fuge.