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Extra long handled scissors, not plastic?

10K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  DMassarone 
#1 ·
I was looking though the Dr. Foster's and Smith catalog to find a long handled scissors, or something I can more easily get to the bottom of the tank with. I hate being shoulder deep into my tank, it grosses me out. I really need something that I can manuver about the bottom and through the plants to carefully cut out individual leaves from some of the plants. My big scissors accidentally cuts through a few healthy leaves every few snips. My plants have already taken such a hit with the algae attack so... I need to be extra careful.

What do you guys use for your aquarium pruning needs? How deep are your tanks. I think my next tank will be a shallow, long tank as it would be easier to maintain.
 
#2 ·
Petsmart / petco sell aquarium plant trimming kit with the attachments you need.
 
#4 ·
I bought this kit just for fun to try and still use scissors. The tool for grabbing things is pretty nice for quick maintenance but the scissors tool isn't that great. It's two razor blades and while they cut nice the whole plant uproots when you try and pull it out. Plus it only really works on bigger less delicate plants.
 
#3 ·
You could try getting elbow-length gloves. That way you wouldn't have to worry about maneuvering something long and cumbersome. I'd be afraid I would snip a fish or a wrong plant with long-handled scissors. And if you're short (like me /sigh) it might not be a bad idea to get a small stool to stand on while working in the tank. I recently discovered that replanting my goldfish plants are much easier if I have a boost. :lol:
 
#5 ·
For sure! I have to stand on a chair and reach down into the tank. The problem is, it isn't elbow deep, it is armpit deep and when I am above the tank looking down through the water, I can't see where I need to snip. It proves to be quite an exercise jumping down off the chair and back on and so forth. I was hoping there was something fantastic out there that I was somehow missing out on. lol Life is easier with the right equipment. Like trying to do water changes on a big tank with a bucket rather then a hose. Get the hose, it is easier and you are more apt to change the water often. I would groom my plants more often if it wasn't such a chore. I am too old for the chair dance for sure. ha ha

SomedudeAtHome, I am glad you said that. I saw that and wondered how well it would work. That is why I love this forum. I can get product review without having to spend a fortune on things that don't work. :)
 
#7 ·
I bought the kit with the scissors and grabber. the both broke, but in all fairness I was doing something stupid with both of them at the time. The cutters arent the perfect solution but it sure does beat the chair dance in my 110g. Im 6'1" and the 110 is armpit deep on me!

FWIW I broke the grabber tong attachments trying to stuff fake plant basses into the gravel in my 110 lol
 
#9 ·
Hemostats and Scissors

I found 24" hemostats and 24" scissors (stainless) at Dr. Foster and Smith. Their sale people are very helpful also (dealt with them many time in the past). A little pricey (50 for hemo's and 60 for scissors) but I purchased the hemos for 6 gallon terrariums I've assembled and they work very well. Then one day I had to rearrange my fish tank as I had to do an emergency air supply "do over". Large rocks and a fresh water (8 Oscar ladened 185 gallon and 33 inches deep) tank, I decided to over feed the Oscars (so they wouldn't attack me) and proceeded to rearrange the rocks utilizing this heavy duty hemostat. Albeit I was practically still armpit into the tank, the job was easier with the right tool. Strong and solid piece. The catfish didn't like it but they got over it. :-D
 
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