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Aquarium plant cloner

For this mod you will need a hacksaw or jig saw a hole in the lid, a bag of filter floss, cut scissors and two foam sponges. You need two lights and compact fluorescent light bulbs to give your cuttings sufficient light. If your tank is in bright light that you don't need the fixings, however, is an aquarium, keeping bright daylight encourages lots of algae growth.

* This instructable will show you how to mod your filter but not handle how to set up or maintain a home aquarium coffee table.


Step 1: Acquiring an Eclipse Filter

The Marineland brand Eclipse filters are common "all in one" filters and lighting systems for aquariums. You can find them used on eBay or possibly at a local thrift store. They are also available online. I already had it on my 20 gallon aquarium and liked it, but didn't want to buy the filter cartridge replacement. So now I use plants to purify my water.


Step 2: Remove the filter element and lid

First step is to open the lid and remove the blue filter cartridge. Next, foil open the two flaps at the back corners of the lid and lift the lid out.


Step 3: mark and cut the hole on the lid


Use a marker pen to trace a U-shaped opening in the lid that will give you access to the compartment that holds the filter cartridge. This compartment will hold your clones. You want to cut out a hole that allows access to the entire shell but still covers the pump inlet on the left and the biowheel on the right.
Now use a jigsaw or hack saw to cut out the hole that you marked.

Step 4: Replace the filter cartridge with a flat bed of filter floss and sponge


Now that the compartment is empty, you can fill it with a small amount of filter floss. This is the white fluffy thing sold in the fish stores that filters particles from the aquarium water. You only need a layer about 1/2 "thick. Have the filter running when you do this so you can get it wet and that will make it easier to get it in the tray nice and even.
Then take your two (or more depending on the model of the Eclipse filter) foam sponges and cut slits on the long edges in the middle. These slots will hold your cuttings upright. Place the sponges in the compartment on top of the filter floss.


Step 5: add lid and plant cuttings


Slide the lid and secure it by locking the tabs. Now you can take a couple of cuttings and slide them into the slots of your sponge. Make sure that the end of the cutting reaches down into the wet filter floss. Experiment with different types of plants. Spider can plant grows very large in this facility so be prepared, cut it back or divide it. I've also had success with lavender, mint, and rosemary.


Step 6: assemble your CFLs


Next, be sure to give your cuttings the light they need to thrive. I have two 9 watt bulbs in bracket lights with metal reflector shades.