Regular Member jody Posted July 20, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted July 20, 2010 I always found it frustrating testing my water when the test tubes would fall over or worse fall on the floor and break. The hagen ones especially since they are rounded at the bottom require a holder for them, they are packaged with a plastic one but it is cumbersome and hard to work with when using two or more. I came up with the idea to drill holes in wood to hold them in place. I start with a piece of 1"X4" and cut its desired length. And then drill the amount of holes needed for my test tubes. You could even customize one with 50 holders if needed for multiple tanks. I used a little piece of thin masonite for a backdrop on one and pasted my test kit reference colors on. I know the hagen tubes require a 5/8" drill bit but I am not sure what size the API ones need, just play around on a test piece of lumber intill you come up with the right fit. A drill press works best but a steady hand can do a job just the same. Good luck 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Iheartfishies1172 Posted July 20, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted July 20, 2010 Oooh. That looks pretty handy! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member mardaokansi Posted July 20, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted July 20, 2010 Jody I've been waiting for you to post about this! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member shellbell4ever Posted July 20, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted July 20, 2010 That is one cool idea Thanks so much for sharing it with us all 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Sakura Posted July 20, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted July 20, 2010 This is a most excellent idea! Is it difficult to clean out the holes in case some test solution were to spill/drip in there though? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member jody Posted July 21, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted July 21, 2010 Cool thanks guys I wouldn't know what'd I do without mine now. I painted one of mine white to help with the spills and drips, the white also helps reading the colors. The other bare one might look a bit haggard now after two years, but it hasn't warped/rotted or anything. Kyrlon makes a nice wood spray paint. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member blackteles Posted July 24, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted July 24, 2010 Great idea Jody...I'll take two please! -Dennis 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member jody Posted July 25, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted July 25, 2010 I am going back to my folks place next weekend where I have a wood shop. I'll take a look at the scrap pile and see if I can make you one. How many tube holes do you need? And what type, API? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member blackteles Posted July 25, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted July 25, 2010 Jody, I'd be interested in a 3 hole API type. Let me know, OK? -Dennis 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member jody Posted July 25, 2010 Author Regular Member Share Posted July 25, 2010 I'll let you know for sure Dennis 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member blackteles Posted August 2, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted August 2, 2010 Thanks Jody...appreciate it! -Dennis 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member Wendy Posted August 2, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted August 2, 2010 Also when the water indicator line starts to wear off you can wrap a piece of tape around it to mark the fill level. haha 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regular Member aBanana Posted August 25, 2010 Regular Member Share Posted August 25, 2010 My Iron test kit is Hagen and the rounded bottom with the flimsy cap is a nightmare, the plastic holder that came with it is in tatters. Today I got my API Freshwater Master Kit and already had my test charts flying around. This is a great idea, I'll see if I can make something like this myself for now. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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