How OCD are you about your tank?

[ca1ore]

I have a friend with true OCD ….. none of this is THAT. It's debilitating. I can get a bit crazy with my tank as I suspect most do; though I realized years ago that putting my arm in the tank and overall tank health were inversely correlated - that helped a lot!!!

 

[bgoldb]

Based on what I am reading, I guess I am worse than most. I don’t like to leave finger prints on my skimmer cup after cleaning. That’s just 1 example. But there are certain things that don’t bother me as much like coralline algae on the glass as I view that as a sign of a healthy aquarium and quite frankly, my algae magnet doesn’t get it off the acrylic and I can’t use a razor blade as that will certainly scratch the acrylic. In addition, I was hoping this thread would have some tips on how to further feed my OCD. For example, what is the best way to remove manufacturer labels and the associated glue from plastic bottles so that I can apply my own standard labels? Soak in warm water?

 

[tdlawdo]

I have a friend with true OCD ….. none of this is THAT. It's debilitating. I can get a bit crazy with my tank as I suspect most do; though I realized years ago that putting my arm in the tank and overall tank health were inversely correlated - that helped a lot!!!

Feel for your friend but according to the definition of OCD using the DSM 5 criteria as the gold standard in the industry ...it doesn’t have to be debilitating. It is “often” accompanied by profound depression or moderate to severe anxiety. And while I don’t think most on here are truly diagnosing themselves with OCD clinically it has become a colloquialism of sorts to describe repetitive and sometimes over the top attention to a detail others might find strange or extraordinary. Here in the reef I think it behooves us to be this way if we are supposed to replicate what has taken eons to form (the ocean) for our enjoyment and the health and welfare of our beloved creatures of the sea.

 

[fishybizzness]

Can I put my pencil urchins down there so once I get more softies they don’t eat them out of the DT? Will they eat all the ogo and chaeto?

My sump as of today. I don't remember the last time I cleaned it! The urchin and snails keep it clean enough for me!