Charley
Active Member
I am about 2 years on my 90 gal with 25 gal sump. Have a basic setup with the usual equip: LED lights on a schedule, protein skimmer, pumps. Do not have an ATO, auto doser, no Apex like automation. Do have 1 little fishies reactor for Rowasphos since in the middle of a GHA issue which is slowly getting under control. I use 2 chemi pure blue bags for carbon in the sump.
Have had the normal issues along the way: a crash or 2, disease or 2 including brooklynella and ich, a few algae issues such as dinoflagelattes and GHA.
just coming off a mini crash. Lost a few fish and some corals, not great but could have been worse. The tank is on the rebound.
Me: I work a normal all day job. Not a DIY type person generally speaking. Not in any trades such as plumping , electrical, carpentry, etc. Pretty ok with tech, like it, but not in IT for a living. Have the usual tight family budget. Prob not going to order $1000 worth of equip in one shot. More of a layer in over time type person over time. But open to all.
I do travel for business in spurts. I can be home for 2 or 4 mos in a row. Then over a 2 or 3 month period, travel every other week or every 3 weeks for 2- 4 days at a time. I usual to travel overseas for weeks at a time maybe 2x a year. Not last few years, but could change. The family does their best to keep the tank alive when I am traveling. Sometimes that works well, but have come home to a mess too at times too. I can take a solid week or 2 vacation once a year.
Since the tank is very basic, I can layer in. I do look at vids for ideas but the vids do lack real life experience over time.
So, wanted to see if some would not mind sharing their thoughts/experiences as to keeping things simple or use more stuff.
Not looking to see which method is "better for the hobby". I fully understand and appreciate that both ends of the extreme, and everything in between has worked well and brings alot of joy for hobbyists.
Hoping some would not mind sharing thoughts/experiences. I am sure there is alot that I miss that I could learn from and take into consideration. Will absorb for future consideration as to how to proceed.
Thank You in advance for sharing, much appreciated.
Have had the normal issues along the way: a crash or 2, disease or 2 including brooklynella and ich, a few algae issues such as dinoflagelattes and GHA.
just coming off a mini crash. Lost a few fish and some corals, not great but could have been worse. The tank is on the rebound.
Me: I work a normal all day job. Not a DIY type person generally speaking. Not in any trades such as plumping , electrical, carpentry, etc. Pretty ok with tech, like it, but not in IT for a living. Have the usual tight family budget. Prob not going to order $1000 worth of equip in one shot. More of a layer in over time type person over time. But open to all.
I do travel for business in spurts. I can be home for 2 or 4 mos in a row. Then over a 2 or 3 month period, travel every other week or every 3 weeks for 2- 4 days at a time. I usual to travel overseas for weeks at a time maybe 2x a year. Not last few years, but could change. The family does their best to keep the tank alive when I am traveling. Sometimes that works well, but have come home to a mess too at times too. I can take a solid week or 2 vacation once a year.
Since the tank is very basic, I can layer in. I do look at vids for ideas but the vids do lack real life experience over time.
So, wanted to see if some would not mind sharing their thoughts/experiences as to keeping things simple or use more stuff.
Not looking to see which method is "better for the hobby". I fully understand and appreciate that both ends of the extreme, and everything in between has worked well and brings alot of joy for hobbyists.
Hoping some would not mind sharing thoughts/experiences. I am sure there is alot that I miss that I could learn from and take into consideration. Will absorb for future consideration as to how to proceed.
Thank You in advance for sharing, much appreciated.
