How many reefers love maintenance day?

RJ F. · May 5, 2019

Hey yall. Just running a fun poll. Every Sunday is my tank maintenance day. Like clock work I mix up 15 gallons of saltwater every Saturday. Mix it. Bring it up to temp. Check it with the ol' refractometer. All in preparation for the Sunday showdown.

Now this is not always a fun task. My rodi is in the basement. My mixing station is in the basement. Last my discarded water goes? You guessed it. In the basement. So that means I'm schlepping 30 gals of water in and out of the basement each Sunday. But honestly when I'm done with it all I feel so good and accomplished. I'm doing right by my fish and corals which I work so strongly keep living and thriving.

Today I did my 25% water change, changed my activated carbon, pruned my zoa garden and added a few frags. Glued some loose frags, cleaned the refugium, and picked at some unwanted algae. There is always something to do. Above all else stability is key!

Howd yall feel about maintenance?

jimk60 · May 5, 2019

If you hate the maintenance you probably need a different hobby because things will go south quickly!

fish farmer · May 5, 2019

It's ok. Now that it's warm out there are other things I need and want to do on my days off, although this afternoon was attach frags to final spots and mount loose pieces to plugs.

RJ F. · May 5, 2019

jimk60 said:
If you hate the maintenance you probably need a different hobby because things will go south quickly!

It's funny you say that. When my friends find out how much time and effort I put into my tank it's always the same "are you serious?"

However the look on their faces when they see a piece of the ocean in my back room is priceless. I was told along time ago, anything worth having takes time and effort. I still get awe stuck looking at others tanks and it gives me the spark I need to keep going. One day I hope to have an awesome mature reef.

RJ F. · May 5, 2019

fish farmer said:
It's ok. Now that it's warm out there are other things I need and want to do on my days off, although this afternoon was attach frags to final spots and mount loose pieces to plugs.

I agree. It's always easier in the winter.

fish farmer · May 5, 2019

RJ F. said:
It's funny you say that. When my friends find out how much time and effort I put into my tank it's always the same "are you serious?"

However the look on their faces when they see a piece of the ocean in my back room is priceless. I was told along time ago, anything worth having takes time and effort. I still get awe stuck looking at others tanks and it gives me the spark I need to keep going. One day I hope to have an awesome mature reef.

I work with a guy who is like that, but the time and energy he puts into hunting makes me want to sleep in on my days off.

Fishnut · May 5, 2019

My wife can’t understand how I could look forward to Sunday morning tank maintenance, running up and down stairs with water buckets and cleaning filter socks in “her” sink and blasting music. Who could ask for more.

PirateDan · May 5, 2019

I love maintenance day. I take my jugs to my lfs 15 min away. I get my water already mixed. Get a chance to talk to other reefers like myself. After mixed my own for many years. It’s cheaper mixing myself but the other way makes it fun for me.

Auquanut · May 5, 2019

I love it. I turn the music on, open a beer, and it's just me and the tanks. No one ever bothers me until I'm done. It's kind of like meditation. It relaxes me.

WMR · May 5, 2019

We all get used to it, but we say ,“ oh,(expletive)I’ve got to do the tank (expletive)maintenance again”, but the finished product is all worth it.

homer1475 · May 5, 2019

Interestingly enough, Sunday is my maintenance day too!

Sunday is the only day I get out early(hate doing reefing maintenance on my day off), it's also my testing day! I won't say I love it, but I don't hate it. If you want a nice show piece in your house, then maintenance is a must!

dugthefish · May 5, 2019

Sunday Sunday Sunday! 2-3 hours of chores in the morning, NASCAR in the afternoon, GoT in the evening. Lots of cocktails and sitting in front of a nice clean tank in the interims.

Captain Quint · May 5, 2019

Just part of our lifestyle.

Crabs McJones · May 5, 2019

Same here

Sunday is tank maintenence day. Water change, filter sock swap out, and skimmer cup clean out. It's my day to have some one on one time with the tank.

Firedawg1983 · May 5, 2019

I actually enjoy it. Usually on Saturdays or Sundays. I get more interaction with the fish and inverts as I’m at the tank or near it for a longer period of time than just a pass by or a stare. Usually change out filter floss, clean out skimmer, test parameters, clean the glass, top off the ATO, etc. (usually change out the filter floss every 2-3 days anyways and clean the skimmer cup every other day) it’s enjoyable for me. Fish seem to enjoy the interaction as well

whitesand · May 5, 2019

RJ F. said:
Hey yall. Just running a fun poll. Every Sunday is my tank maintenance day. Like clock work I mix up 15 gallons of saltwater every Saturday. Mix it. Bring it up to temp. Check it with the ol' refractometer. All in preparation for the Sunday showdown.

Now this is not always a fun task. My rodi is in the basement. My mixing station is in the basement. Last my discarded water goes? You guessed it. In the basement. So that means I'm schlepping 30 gals of water in and out of the basement each Sunday. But honestly when I'm done with it all I feel so good and accomplished. I'm doing right by my fish and corals which I work so strongly keep living and thriving.

Today I did my 25% water change, changed my activated carbon, pruned my zoa garden and added a few frags. Glued some loose frags, cleaned the refugium, and picked at some unwanted algae. There is always something to do. Above all else stability is key!

Howd yall feel about maintenance?

Lol. Me also. Sunday morning Up two flights down two flights up two flights down two flights repeat 4 more times to change out sons arawana tank. (Can only carry 5g at a time). Great exercise. I pour crap water out window into flower beds. Lol. My reef on first floor, so it down one flight up one flight, repeat 4 times. Monday thru Saturday rest and Tylenol for back and right arm. Lol. I love doing maintenance, really do.

RJ F. · May 5, 2019

Firedawg1983 said:
I actually enjoy it. Usually on Saturdays or Sundays. I get more interaction with the fish and inverts as I’m at the tank or near it for a longer period of time than just a pass by or a stare. Usually change out filter floss, clean out skimmer, test parameters, clean the glass, top off the ATO, etc. (usually change out the filter floss every 2-3 days anyways and clean the skimmer cup every other day) it’s enjoyable for me. Fish seem to enjoy the interaction as well

Maintenance became alot more enjoyable when I realized it's ok for the corals to be out of the water for a few minutes. I used to get so stressed out about my corals lol. But really they're pretty hardy. I dont keep acros or anything like that.

Firedawg1983 · May 7, 2019

RJ F. said:
Maintenance became alot more enjoyable when I realized it's ok for the corals to be out of the water for a few minutes. I used to get so stressed out about my corals lol. But really they're pretty hardy. I dont keep acros or anything like that.

Perfectly ok for them to be out for a little bit! I’m on zoas and a couple lps but I think I May stick w zoas and softies.

Lissa1987 · May 7, 2019

RJ F. said:
Hey yall. Just running a fun poll. Every Sunday is my tank maintenance day. Like clock work I mix up 15 gallons of saltwater every Saturday. Mix it. Bring it up to temp. Check it with the ol' refractometer. All in preparation for the Sunday showdown.

Now this is not always a fun task. My rodi is in the basement. My mixing station is in the basement. Last my discarded water goes? You guessed it. In the basement. So that means I'm schlepping 30 gals of water in and out of the basement each Sunday. But honestly when I'm done with it all I feel so good and accomplished. I'm doing right by my fish and corals which I work so strongly keep living and thriving.

Today I did my 25% water change, changed my activated carbon, pruned my zoa garden and added a few frags. Glued some loose frags, cleaned the refugium, and picked at some unwanted algae. There is always something to do. Above all else stability is key!

Howd yall feel about maintenance?

Mine is similar, but i battle with nitrates so I change 30 gallons at a time...My RODI and Mixing are in the garage (entire first floor of the house is garage) thankfully, I have an elevator so its just loading it all up and then dragging it across the house to the vivarium.