DIY fry saver, by Daniel Radaich.

So what is the difference between other fry savers and my design? Well here are some points which may persuade you to use this design instead of the common designs:

• The first advantage is increased volume of the container; this is because the container is attached under the polystyrene, unlike other models where it is above the material used to float it
• The second, increased circulation; there are four windows instead of the usual two so that water flow is better facilitated
• The third, a 2cm edge overlap; this extends along all the edges of the icecream container. This helps prevent fish from jumping out back into the tank, damaging themselves on the lids, or jumping onto the floor and having a painful death

Equipment:

• icecream container 2L
• polystyrene sheet
• flywire
• aquarium grade silicon
• stanley knife
• sharp chisel
• hammer
• tin cutters
• sand paper
• non-toxic marker (pencil)
• ruler

Step One: Gather your icecream container

and mark its windows. The size of these windows is up to you, however you must allow for the fly-wire that needs be fastened through a silicon bead. The markings can be shown here

Step Two: Get your piece of polystyrene and place the icecream container on it. Mark the outside of the container as shown below, allowing an extra 2cm around the icecream container

Step Three: Use the chisel to cut a line on each window. One method is to place the icecream container around a piece of wood or brick, thus providing a firm cutting surface. After a line has been cut you can then use the tin cutters to finish cutting the window out. Do not throw away these windows as they will serve as templates for the flywire.

Step Four: Now using the polystyrene sheet, mark in the following measurements (the dotted lines are shown in the figure below). Using your hobby knife or stanley knife remove the square

In the red region shown above, use a sharp knife to cut on the lines touching the red region, then using a narrow chisel or phillips head screw driver simply remove the red region. Be careful not to go through to the other side of the polystyrene; the icecream container shown be able to slide into this area

Step Five: Place the saved plastic window cut-outs on the flywire, allowing 2-4cm all around the template. If you have different sized windows make sure you use the right template, as shown in the following diagram

Using the sand paper, rough up the inside of the icecream container just around the windows you created. Now run a silicon bead around this area making sure the flywire can reach. Place the fly-wire over the bead and run your finger over the flywire, hence pressing the mesh into the glue. This will ensure a tight seal. Repeat this process for the remaining three windows

Step Six: Place the icecream container immediately into the groove in the polystyrene, fill the gap with silicon. Leave for 24 - 48 hours to cure

Finished product can be seen here

All rights reserved Daniel Radaich 2004