Lanyard for food clip anyone? :)

Purpose:
Finding it increasingly bothersome for the retrieval of suction cup-based food clips (SBFC), this design addresses the very need for a lanyard-based retention system (LBRS) that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical for use in all forms of modern aquaria.


Materials:
Suction cup-based food clip (SBFC)
Nylon line (x ft)
US 25c piece (quarter)
Scissors
Costume pearl
Drill
Drill bit


Methods:

Lanyard-based retention system (LBRS)


Drill hole on anterior (front) clip wing

Feed nylon line through drilled hole from the rear of anterior clip wing

Feed nylon line through hole of pearl, pull through approx. 3 inches of nylon, reinsert nylon through same hole on the insertion side

Tie simple knot, tighten (repeat three times)

Cut remaining nylon line from knot to dress



Counter weight / balance



Drill hole through head of eagle on American 25 cent piece (US 25c)

Feed nylon line through hole of quarter, pull through approx. 3 inches of nylon, reinsert nylon through same hole on the insertion side

Tie simple knot, tighten (repeat three times)

Cut remaining nylon from knot to dress


Observations:
During initial phase of beta testing, it was shown that the lanyard retention system achieves expectations.


1) When aquatic based suction is lost, the counter weight/balance retards the ability of the clip to sink to the bottom of the tank.
2) Furthermore, when aquatic based suction is lost, the lanyard retention system has demonstrated the ability to counteract the sinking of the clip, forcing it upwards in a gentle and gradual motion until it is reaches the interior trim of tank where it will stay until retrieved.

Positive control: Pulled clip from glass and let counter balance forces act upon the clip
Negative control: Pulled unlanyarded clip from glass and observed descent to the depths

During an observation period, a Tang grabbed the clip and pulled it across the tank on the glass, where it eventually lost suction. The Tang then lost interest, and clip floated to the top rear of tank secondary to counter weight forces.



Conclusion:
I have too much time on my hands between tours, and the mule work in a research facility. But all in all, it's good goofy fun and was still able to unravel a novel solution to an aggravating problem.

*Images pending review

 

I'm probably just retarded, but I'm not following in the quarter aspect here. Is the quarter left dangling outside the tank? What about the costume pearl? Is this a positively bouyant material?

Nice technical write up. Looks like you've been in the military too long.

 

The weight of the quarter keeps the pearl flush to the clip. The quarter hangs outside the tank, from the rear (I keep my clips on the back glass bc its easier to access through the rear of the canopy than in it).

 

Dude... I'm not gonna lie... I'm lost! However, you sound smart... make one and I'll buy it lol!

Ryan

 

heh i saw the thread topic title in the list of new posts and immediately thought "why not hook fishline to the clip, add a sink-weight to it, and voila you have yourself a lanyard"

your writeup was so much better though

 

As promised, pics!

Pearl knot


Counter balance knot


Nori strip loaded


Here, a purple Tang destroying nori strip




A special thanks to my friends, The Alex Skolnick Trio, providing cool tunes and amazing new jazz standards!



I apologize for pic quality as my camera is loaned out to a dear friend with a newborn.