What equipment do you keep spares on hand for?

PSU_Reefer · Feb 22, 2022

Ive had my tank up and running for almost a year now, meaning my return pump has run almost continuously for a year. i know that is how these things are supposed to function, but It got me thinking that if and when it does fail, I don't have a plan for replacing it other than calling LFS to see if they carry equipment (and are open) or try to overnight something from BRS.

So it leads me to wonder, what equipment do you have spares for?

I do have backup heaters that i could move over from my qt setup, a HOB filter but its been wet in QT with copper so idk if i'd want to use that. Skimmer doesn't seem necessary to have a backup on. What else? anyone else buy a backup return pump and save it for a rainy day?

Gtinnel · Feb 22, 2022

The only thing I keep for backups are heaters and a cheap smaller return pump. The return pump would only be a temporary solution until a permanent replacement could be ordered.

blaxsun · Feb 22, 2022

Impellers and o-rings for my two Sicce pumps, and a complete spare Sicce pump for my main return. Spare heads for my Neptune DOS, an extra temperature probe and various spare AquaBUS cables. Spare motor, connectors, controller and various parts for my Red Sea ReefWave45s. Spare bulb for my UV.

I run two primary/secondary heaters with a tertiary backup and have a fourth heater (unused) as a replacement. I've also got a bunch of smaller heaters I use for mixing saltwater that I can also use in a pinch.

Skimmer, reactor and lights I'm not worried about (they can all go offline for a week or more while I source a replacement).

rmorris_14 · Feb 22, 2022

I bought a back up return that doubles as my pump that I use during water changes. I also have an extra power head that I use to mix the saltwater, that i could borrow if needed.

Thats it for me. My setup is pretty low tech though

HudsonReefer2.0 · Feb 22, 2022

Heaters, return pump and wave maker

Gtinnel · Feb 22, 2022

blaxsun said:
Spare heads for my Neptune DOS

I didn't even think about that one. Looks like I'm off to go shopping online for new heads.

PSU_Reefer · Feb 22, 2022

blaxsun said:
Impellers and o-rings for my two Sicce pumps, and a complete spare Sicce pump for my main return. Spare heads for my Neptune DOS, an extra temperature probe and various spare AquaBUS cables. Spare motor, connectors, controller and various parts for my Red Sea ReefWave45s. Spare bulb for my UV.

I run two primary/secondary heaters with a tertiary backup and have a fourth heater (unused) as a replacement. I've also got a bunch of smaller heaters I use for mixing saltwater that I can also use in a pinch.

Skimmer, reactor and lights I'm not worried about (they can all go offline for a week or more while I source a replacement).

Wow this is great. You are certainly set up well. I like the idea of spare parts on hand as well rather than just flat out replacement pieces

ariellemermaid · Feb 22, 2022

PSU_Reefer said:
Wow this is great. You are certainly set up well. I like the idea of spare parts on hand as well rather than just flat out replacement pieces

It’s like he’s running his own aquarium store

. Certainly ready for an aquarium apocalypse. I just keep an extra heater. On my HOB aquariums the wave makers can oxygenate until I can buy a new one. On my new DT I’m just going to run 2 returns for redundancy rather than have an expensive pump laying around that will be an old model by the time it’s needed.

I also keep spare electricity around

. A generator that is.

I think the key is to just have a plan. What do your local stores carry, can the tank make it through the night with x failure, what’s available on Amazon for fast shipping, etc.?

blaxsun · Feb 22, 2022

PSU_Reefer said:
Wow this is great. You are certainly set up well. I like the idea of spare parts on hand as well rather than just flat out replacement pieces

I'm trying to strike a balance between redundancy and replacement.

I have two sets of gyres - the aforementioned ReefWave45s (primary) and a set of Maxspect XF330s on battery backup (run @10%). So in the event one or both ReefWaves fail, I can build another from spare parts while I wait from the warranty replacement.

I run 3 heaters (all titanium) - two smaller 300-watt on an Inkbird and one 500-watt as a backup from the Neptune directly (only comes on in emergencies or if the Inkbird acts up). I have a spare 500-watt that is enough to heat the entire tank as well.

The extra impellers and o-rings are mainly for maintenance - as I can just take the pump offline, quickly clean in-tank and swap in the new (clean) impeller. One Sicce 9.0 runs my return and the smaller Sicce 7.0 powers my UV. I picked up a spare Sicce 9.0 as I consider the pump mission-critical and don't want to be waiting for a replacement.

The DOS heads and UV bulb will need to be replaced eventually, so this is more just being proactive (no different than having spare filters for your RODI system, which I do as well).

blaxsun · Feb 22, 2022

ariellemermaid said:
It’s like he’s running his own aquarium store . Certainly ready for an aquarium apocalypse. I just keep an extra heater. On my HOB aquariums the wave makers can oxygenate until I can buy a new one. On my new DT I’m just going to run 2 returns for redundancy rather than have an expensive pump laying around that will be an old model by the time it’s needed.

I also keep spare electricity around . A generator that is.

I think the key is to just have a plan. What do your local stores carry, can the tank make it through the night with x failure, what’s available on Amazon for fast shipping, etc.?

Haha. Well, after 2 years I was able to put together a pretty clear picture of what I'd be able to get in a pinch and what i'd have to wait on (as well as what tends to be out-of-stock at any given time).

The only thing I don't have is a generator, but there's an interesting Ego product that lets me take all my lawnmower and snowblower batteries and convert to a mobile power source. Could be handy (and not just for the tank).

MillennialReefer · Feb 22, 2022

Return pump (although its less powerful than the one I have) several heaters and powerheads.
Enough equipment to keep the animals alive in case of an emergency.

Sean Clark · Feb 22, 2022

I feel this thread might get some people into the credit card dog house...

Return Pump (drop in same for same)
Heaters x 2
Apex head
Skimmer cup w/ lid
Skimmer pump complete
Skimmer pump impeller x 2
Lights, but they are old used T5s
ATO pump
Accessory pumps x 3 (on sale)
Various doser heads, tubing, and replacement motor
True union valve bodies
Basicly every serviceable part I try to keep on hand.

PSU_Reefer · Feb 22, 2022

Given the responses I think i'm definitely going to invest in at least a spare return pump. Especially due to the importance of it.

damsels are not mean · Feb 22, 2022

Pumps are the only thing I intentionally keep spares of. I have some LEDs leftover because I bought in bulk when building my fixture but that's not really an emergency thing to have on hand. I'd say a spare heater is probably a good idea but my tank stays in the mid to upper 70s year round without a heater so I'm fine.

Maybe something not completely expected in this thread I'd say it's good to have a small spare tank with heater and aeration. You never know when you might need to move fish out to do something and having a tank that you can set up for that temporarily is something you'd never regret.

Sean Clark · Feb 22, 2022

damsels are not mean said:
Maybe something not completely expected in this thread I'd say it's good to have a small spare tank with heater and aeration. You never know when you might need to move fish out to do something and having a tank that you can set up for that temporarily is something you'd never regret.

This is fantastic advice.

Tamberav · Feb 22, 2022

PSU_Reefer said:
Ive had my tank up and running for almost a year now, meaning my return pump has run almost continuously for a year. i know that is how these things are supposed to function, but It got me thinking that if and when it does fail, I don't have a plan for replacing it other than calling LFS to see if they carry equipment (and are open) or try to overnight something from BRS.

So it leads me to wonder, what equipment do you have spares for?

I do have backup heaters that i could move over from my qt setup, a HOB filter but its been wet in QT with copper so idk if i'd want to use that. Skimmer doesn't seem necessary to have a backup on. What else? anyone else buy a backup return pump and save it for a rainy day?

I don’t have backups but probably should. My return pump has been in use 7 years and I bought it used! It is a Eheim. I guess if I had a spare it would be in storage all this time.

My DT doesn’t need a sump to function so it wouldn’t be an emergency I guess. Rock plus flow is all a tank needs to keep life.

gbroadbridge · Feb 22, 2022

Gtinnel said:
The only thing I keep for backups are heaters and a cheap smaller return pump. The return pump would only be a temporary solution until a permanent replacement could be ordered.

I have a backup Sicce 5 return pump, plus spare parts, and a backup heater.

Both are in tank and can be switched over remotely or automatically if a failure is detected.

the return pump is monitored both by flow and current draw.

MattB69 · Feb 22, 2022

I keep an extra return pump, a new ATO pump, and a heater on hand. Everything else generally can get overnighted from Amazon without major issue.

PSU_Reefer · Feb 22, 2022

Tamberav said:
I don’t have backups but probably should. My return pump has been in use 7 years and I bought it used! It is a Eheim. I guess if I had a spare it would be in storage all this time.

My DT doesn’t need a sump to function so it wouldn’t be an emergency I guess. Rock plus flow is all a tank needs to keep life.

Don't need sump to function - would you just move heaters to the display?