nickkohrn
Corals for President 2020
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2018
- Messages
- 1,903
- Reaction score
- 5,121
- Location
- Lima, OH
- What state or country do you live in
- Ohio
With the winter months approaching Ohio, I have been slowly accumulating backups of equipment that I feel are important. This began a few weeks ago when the low-water-level sensor on my Neptune Systems ATK failed as well as the PMUP; both were first-generation products, and I replaced them with second-generation models.
With that said, I'd like to share a list of equipment that I currently have on standby for emergency situations or when performing general maintenance:
Pumps
The following are items that are on my list to purchase as backups for equipment that I currently have:
I realize that purchasing primary equipment is expensive in this hobby, and it can often be challenging to justify and/or afford. Adding backup equipment to the list makes it even more difficult. Luckily enough, I have been provided an opportunity that helps me purchase equipment at a rate that I would not be able to do otherwise. I have decided to start putting those funds toward backup equipment because I was made aware that equipment failures are real and the effects can be easily minimized or eliminated altogether if I am prepared.
I believe that we can be successful without backups, and I believe that we can be successful without half of the equipment that we typically install on our systems. But, if you possess a passion for technology in the hobby, just as I do, it becomes easier, and often fun, to load up on electronic and mechanical items that can, and will, fail in the future. My growing stock of backup equipment has a simple purpose, which is to minimize, and possibly eliminate, negative effects that can be caused by failures of the primary equipment. Sure, more equipment means more points of failure, but the reliance that I have on some of it helps me spend more time with my family and prevents a lot of the maintenance from feeling like a chore after a long day/week of work.
So, I want to know what you keep backups of, if you keep backups of anything. What caused you to purchase backup equipment? Were you simply thinking about the possibility of future failures, or did you encounter one?
With that said, I'd like to share a list of equipment that I currently have on standby for emergency situations or when performing general maintenance:
Pumps
- Neptune Systems COR-15
- Used for mixing saltwater and as a replacement when cleaning my primary pump
- PMUP
- Used as a backup for my automatic top-off pump
- Utility Pumps
- GFO reactor
- Miscellaneous mixing
EcoTech Marine VorTech Pumps- I am currently running four MP40s on my 3'x2'x2' tank,
- Provides more than adequate flow - two pumps can fail and I will still be fine
- I am currently running four MP40s on my 3'x2'x2' tank,
- EcoTech Marine VorTech wet-sides
- Heater
- Multiple 200w heaters
- Primary heater replacements
- Annual replacements
- Emergency replacements
- Primary heater replacements
- Multiple 50w heaters
- Dips
- Acclimations
- Travel
- Multiple 200w heaters
- Optical Sensors
- ATK
- High-water-level sensor
- Low-water-level sensor
- Automatic top-off reservoir low-water-level sensor
- Filter sock chamber overflow sensor
- ATK
- Water Sensors
- Floor
- Sump
- Acrylic all-in-one
- Used as quarantine system
- On standby as emergency system if primary system has failure
- Multiple standard aquariums for miscellaneous uses
EcoTech Marine Radions- I am currently running four XR15s over my 3'x2'x2' tank
- Provides more than adequate light - two lights can fail and I will still be fine
- I am currently running four XR15s over my 3'x2'x2' tank
- GFCI outlet adapters
- Extension cords
- Spare reagents
- Used within expiration
The following are items that are on my list to purchase as backups for equipment that I currently have:
- Apex
- Base unit
- Pre-load with current Apex profile so that my primary unit can easily be replaced
- EB832
- Probes
- Base unit
I realize that purchasing primary equipment is expensive in this hobby, and it can often be challenging to justify and/or afford. Adding backup equipment to the list makes it even more difficult. Luckily enough, I have been provided an opportunity that helps me purchase equipment at a rate that I would not be able to do otherwise. I have decided to start putting those funds toward backup equipment because I was made aware that equipment failures are real and the effects can be easily minimized or eliminated altogether if I am prepared.
I believe that we can be successful without backups, and I believe that we can be successful without half of the equipment that we typically install on our systems. But, if you possess a passion for technology in the hobby, just as I do, it becomes easier, and often fun, to load up on electronic and mechanical items that can, and will, fail in the future. My growing stock of backup equipment has a simple purpose, which is to minimize, and possibly eliminate, negative effects that can be caused by failures of the primary equipment. Sure, more equipment means more points of failure, but the reliance that I have on some of it helps me spend more time with my family and prevents a lot of the maintenance from feeling like a chore after a long day/week of work.
So, I want to know what you keep backups of, if you keep backups of anything. What caused you to purchase backup equipment? Were you simply thinking about the possibility of future failures, or did you encounter one?
