Maintenance Schedule and Software

jinx · Oct 10, 2016

Hey Guys,

I'm thinking about getting back into the hobby after probably about 20 years or so. Considering a Red Sea 350 with two kessil360awe lights. I'm trying to find some regular maintenance schedules to see what people are doing. Also are you tracking your levels anywhere? Paper, spreadsheet, iphone software?

Bob Escher · Oct 10, 2016

jinx said:
Hey Guys,

I'm thinking about getting back into the hobby after probably about 20 years or so. Considering a Red Sea 350 with two kessil360awe lights. I'm trying to find some regular maintenance schedules to see what people are doing. Also are you tracking your levels anywhere? Paper, spreadsheet, iphone software?

I use aquaplanner on my iPad along with my apex i track everything on both sometimes

DLHDesign · Oct 10, 2016

I use http://www.aquarimate.com/ to track everything I test and need to do (eg; I need to change my carbon/GFO today, and I got a reminder to do so). I only use about 20% of what the app can do (just params tracking and reminders, basically), so I can't really speak to the full suite of features. What I do use it for, however, does the trick - I especially like that each parameter can have it's own timer running while I'm testing them all (eg; I can have a timer going for the Phosphate test while running a stop-watch for the Nitrate test).

As far as maintenance goes, the "normal" stuff is; feed 3x per day, test all major chemicals every other day, weekly water changes of 10-20%, swap filter socks and clean skimmer every 4-6 days (as needed based on Nitrate/Phosphate readings and visual look), and clean tank glass ~1/wk or as needed (when I'm taking pics or expect visitors). Beyond that, I have stuff that is more need-driven; like changing out my DI resin, managing the QT (which is the bulk of my effort when I have a QT running), and doing major tank cleaning (sump vacuum, sand cleaning, frag mounting/re-positioning, chaeto reduction, and other such stuff). Then there's the build projects that I have going on - such as the drawer organizer and (soon) the LED+T5 hood; those are more cathartic for me (wood working and building stuff with my hands is relaxing after a day spent on the computer).
Lest I give the wrong impression, however; I do spend more time enjoying the tank than I do caring for it. ;-)

DLHDesign · Oct 10, 2016

Oh yeah - and welcome to R2R!

jinx · Oct 10, 2016

So yeah thats the big thing, I'd like to figure a way to get to weekly tests and such... water changes every two to three weeks... I used to do them monthly and it seemed to work for me then... I want to enjoy it more than work on it... Apex seems to help that a little.. I was surprised that it doesn't have probes for everything... I mean if hanna can make the electronic test kits why can't neptune and have everything in ONE app.... plus all my maintenance etc... I guy can dream right?

jsker · Oct 10, 2016

Welcome to R2R, and welcome back to the hobby. I was so happy to find R2R when I got back into the hobby, and getting my questions answered. Ask away and you will get answers, also if you need help from the reefsquad just # in front of reefsquad and we will come running

Both the programs that @Bob Escher and @DLHDesign suggested are great. If you are looking at controllers I use mine to store all of my information. I started with a spread for a log to track all of my adjustments and the programs/apps/controller programs do a good job of keeping a log.

DLHDesign · Oct 10, 2016

I think that it's possible to get to what you're looking for. I'm just new to this hobby with a relatively new tank. This results in several things;
1) I don't know what to look for as an indicator. If something is going (or has gone) sideways, I wouldn't likely know unless a test tells me. This is not ideal as some things a test won't tell you, but it's better than nothing for me.
2) My tank is not established by any means; I'm still dialing in most of my dosing, for example.
3) I'm not experienced enough to know what is needed. Eg; I'm sure I'm over-feeding, but I'd rather do that than underfeed. But that means more tank cleaning, water changes, etc.

As to the probes; the Hanna checkers use additives to the water to work. This isn't really possible with a probe. There are projects out there to automate even tests that require additives, but those either aren't to the market yet, or aren't reported as being reliable enough, IMO. Soon, hopefully...

jsker · Oct 10, 2016

jinx said:
So yeah thats the big thing, I'd like to figure a way to get to weekly tests and such... water changes every two to three weeks... I used to do them monthly and it seemed to work for me then... I want to enjoy it more than work on it... Apex seems to help that a little.. I was surprised that it doesn't have probes for everything... I mean if hanna can make the electronic test kits why can't neptune and have everything in ONE app.... plus all my maintenance etc... I guy can dream right?

For the simple Ca,Mg,Alk,No3, and Po4's there are reagents the need to be used. There is a company working on long term tank test and when it comes out I thing I will get it at try forCa,Mg,Alk,No3, and Po4's. Yes Apex just does PH, Salinity/conductivity, temp. If you do get an Apex go full blown with the lab probes, you will save money on the long run.

jinx · Oct 10, 2016

does the Apex let me put the results of other tests into it so i can see everything in one place?

DLHDesign · Oct 11, 2016

Sorry; don't (yet) have an Apex, so I wouldn't know. It's fully programmable, so I would think so, but that's just a guess...

justingraham · Oct 11, 2016

Yes apex does that

maroun.c · Oct 11, 2016

I use aquarimate to log all my tests values and reminders for tasks... It also has some input on new purchases with pictures and cost and also a nice time line on how tank looks and new additions in pics that u haven't yet used.
For maintenance I try to do a water change biweekly clean the from glass every few days test alk and Ca weekly or biweekly when tank is stable other parameters get tested every 3-4 weeks...
Maintain build thread as frequently as possible which you all should add to your schedule

jinx · Oct 11, 2016

Nice too bad Apex and aquarimate can't share data... would be nice to use both and get the task reminders and timelines and such like that with a complete view into all the parameters over time.

ON a whole other note, I just noticed the Reefer 425xl is just a few inches wider... oh boy exciting!!!

I still have lots to learn, when I was in this hobby skimmers and UV were the thing, some people ran some reactors but I didn't.... socks didn't exist.... atleast not mainstream... I have to get back to reading and decide, do I want to create a fuge where the ato would go and if so how etc... So much to learn about. I'm still trying to figure out where to make my RO water lol... my old house I had a place in the house to do that, but in this house not so much... it might have to sit out side....