Lessons Learned - Equipment Retired Before it Stopped Working

[tdnaples]

I have spent a lot on equipment that has been retired before its time.

I bought a 120 gallon tank with two corner overflow boxes, pre drilled. Everything I read, said a sump is the best way to go. So I purchased a sump and all the values and plumbing. After a year or so I capped off the predrilled holes, and got rid of the sump, filter socks and plumbing. Perfectly fine sump, in the garage with a lot of plumbing fittings.

When I had the sump, I had an in-sump skimmer, that I ended up not being happy with, and replaced it. So when I got rid of the sump, I also ended up with a perfectly fine in-sump skimmer sitting in the garage.

Replaced the sump with Fluval FX6 canister. Everything ran much smoother and quieter. Did not keep up with the maintenance, and it caused water quality issues. FX6 is next to the Skimmer in garage.

Then I purchased an AquaClear HOB that pumped water from the overflow back into the display. Nice filter, but after a few months, determined something else would work better/easier.

Current setup: HOB Skimmer pumping water out of one corner overflow back to the display. BRS dual canister for PhosGuard, bio media, whatever, pumping water out of the other overflow back into the display. Water heater in the overflow. ATO underneath the tank. Inside the display, two powerheads. For water changes, all the water is siphoned out of the two overflows and some from the display. Pretty simple. Water quality is perfect

Lessons Learned

 

[reefwiser]

That is part of the hobby you set up a tank one way then over time you find that you would rather have it set up another way.
I have several different lighting setups in the attic and lots of different pumps. Never know when I might want to use them again.

 

[Zoom_]

Heaters are the thing that should be replaced at least once a year.

 

[Bpb]

Light bulbs. Definitely dont want to keep those running till they burn out...I have retired jebao powerheads and return pumps to light duty (saltwater mixing only), before they went kaput. Didn't want to find myself in a situation where something so important dies and I don't have a replacement on hand. Good call on heaters. I've been using the same one for going on 4 years now. Probably be a good idea to replace it preventatively. I'll add one to my cart now

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Boy, I'm in that same boat. Finally down to what's worked for a number of years now. 2 pumps, a small undersized skimmer, ato, and dosers.
I could open a LFS with all the extra gear I've collected.. lol