Most irritating job in reefkeeping?

The Escaped Ape · 03/04/2012, 07:38 AM

For me, it's replacing the media in my GFO and GAC reverse flow reactors. Those little bits of media get everywhere. You also have to rinse the media in old water and deal with cleaning the bucket afterwards, coated in red and black dust as it then is.

Actually wondering whether going bare bottom means I might be able to scrap the GFO reactor soon...

A close second in terms of irritation is the skimmer overflowing for days thanks to using a bit of epoxy putty. Still going even after a 30% water change.

What really gets you wondering whether it's all really worth it?

Reef264 · 03/04/2012, 07:41 AM

None of it is really annoying for me, maybe Scraping the glass...

The Escaped Ape · 03/04/2012, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef264

None of it is really annoying for me, maybe Scraping the glass...

I actually find that quite therapeutic and fun - the clowns love to eat any scrap of algae so I have company as I do it.

But no frustrations in reefkeeping - I admire your attitude!

TeHGuy · 03/04/2012, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Escaped Ape

I actually find that quite therapeutic and fun - the clowns love to eat any scrap of algae so I have company as I do it.

But no frustrations in reefkeeping - I admire your attitude!

Agreed. My cleaner shrimps hang out on my arm while I am scraping. Friendly little buggers.

ryeguyy84 · 03/04/2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeHGuy

Agreed. My cleaner shrimps hang out on my arm while I am scraping. Friendly little buggers.

Yeah I can't get my hand near the tank without my cleaner jumping on it... Followed by the clowns nipping my fingers.

Anyway my biggest pain is warming new saltwater. I always forget to do it the morning of a water change and I end up waiting like 2 hours for it to reach temperature. I store the water in my basement, it gets rather cold down there.

Curious George · 03/04/2012, 08:15 AM

Water changes are a PIA. Especially since I always manage to get some on the floor and sides of the glass. Then it dries and there is crust that my girlfriend gives me crap about.

NanoReefWanabe · 03/04/2012, 08:24 AM

i find trying to convince my wife the new acro and chalice where only ten dollars each is the most annoying...

hkgar · 03/04/2012, 08:35 AM

I agree with the glass scraping. I tend to procrastinate it and of course that only makes it worse.

Why can't we find away to keep that damn green film from forming?

mwilliams62 · 03/04/2012, 08:55 AM

Water changes and algea scraping. I always get water all over the carpet.

LaOtIn · 03/04/2012, 09:10 AM

finding space to install new equipment

jacob.morgan78 · 03/04/2012, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

Anyway my biggest pain is warming new saltwater. I always forget to do it the morning of a water change and I end up waiting like 2 hours for it to reach temperature. I store the water in my basement, it gets rather cold down there.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that does this. Sucks.

Dholmblad · 03/04/2012, 09:39 AM

carrying my kalk bucket up the stairs. One day I am going to spill it... I really need a better way

ThaBeast · 03/04/2012, 09:39 AM

Most annoying for me is needing to go to work instead of working on reef tank

Kies1 · 03/04/2012, 09:45 AM

Changing media in filters and reactors. Biggest pia

jackde · 03/04/2012, 01:00 PM

Most annoying is waiting for a new tank cycle so the fun jobs can begin.

Silkyslim · 03/04/2012, 01:10 PM

Carrying buckets for water changes/top off.

sanchoy · 03/04/2012, 01:32 PM

Checking credit after a major purchase

HHIreefer843 · 03/04/2012, 01:37 PM

not having enough money for what i want...wait need....wait want

fdonophan · 03/04/2012, 01:39 PM

I agree that the maintenance is more therapeutic than annoying. The buckets are heavy, the salt is pricey, the green film is distracting...but when it's done the life, movement and beauty is SO worth every bit of it!

My boyfriend doesn't get it AT ALL. He always says "It's just so much work!" and no matter how often I tell him I ENJOY the work he just doesnt believe me.

cloak · 03/04/2012, 02:17 PM

Cleaning the reflector can be a little tedious. You clean it, and then you look at it on the pitch and see a bunch of smuges, so you clean it again...

mussel and hate · 03/04/2012, 02:30 PM

cleaning the salt spray residue from the surrounding environment.

fdonophan · 03/04/2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mussel and hate

cleaning the salt spray residue from the surrounding environment.

Okay, cleaning salt from EVERYTHING!! I think my cat has salt creep on her whiskers...

mshaq · 03/04/2012, 02:38 PM

Mounting corals ... I hate it and I stink at it. Remember that scene in "A Christmas Story" when Ralphie's father is removing clinkers from the furnace while sending a stream of obscenities into the atmosphere? I think about that scene every time I mount corals

Second is water changes.

doctorgori · 03/04/2012, 03:19 PM

ditto to changing media followed by removing dried salt

gmate · 03/04/2012, 03:33 PM

Water changes. My RO/DI is in the basement. So when I fill a few 20g rubbermaids with cold ro/di and have to lug them upstairs, bring them to temp, mix salt, let it sit for 24 hours, then do the WC....man half the time I just get lazy and stop. Hence why my weekly regimen gets out of whack.

Also, girlfriend nagging me about buying stuff. If I get told one more time that I'm spending too much money....

03/04/2012, 07:38 AM	#1
The Escaped Ape In The Canopy Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Taiwan Posts: 1,098	Most irritating job in reefkeeping? For me, it's replacing the media in my GFO and GAC reverse flow reactors. Those little bits of media get everywhere. You also have to rinse the media in old water and deal with cleaning the bucket afterwards, coated in red and black dust as it then is. Actually wondering whether going bare bottom means I might be able to scrap the GFO reactor soon... A close second in terms of irritation is the skimmer overflowing for days thanks to using a bit of epoxy putty. Still going even after a 30% water change. What really gets you wondering whether it's all really worth it? __________________ Tom Victoria Concordia Crescit Current Tank Info: Currently tankless

03/04/2012, 07:41 AM	#2
Reef264 Where's The Reef? Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southaven, Ms Posts: 2,098	None of it is really annoying for me, maybe Scraping the glass... __________________ I'd rather Die on my feet, than Live on my Knees. Current Tank Info: 150g SPS Reef, 2x250w 14k Pheonix Metal Halides w/T-5 Actinics, 2 Tunze 6095's, Tunze 7096 controller, Ozone, Precision Marine Skimmer, Reef Octopus Bio-Churn Bio Pellet Reactor, GFO & Carbon Reactor, Ozone Reactor, ATO, Reef Keeper.

03/04/2012, 08:35 AM	#8
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I agree with the glass scraping. I tend to procrastinate it and of course that only makes it worse. Why can't we find away to keep that damn green film from forming? __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

03/04/2012, 09:10 AM	#10
LaOtIn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 704	finding space to install new equipment __________________ I am a water keeper that happens to like fish and coral Once a Marine, Always a Marine Semper Fidelis Devil Dog

03/04/2012, 01:32 PM	#17
sanchoy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Close to the ocean Posts: 1,026	Checking credit after a major purchase __________________ 250 gallon.. tangs are the best.. the po po is not. Current Tank Info: 250 reef

03/04/2012, 08:15 AM	#6
Curious George Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 748	Water changes are a PIA. Especially since I always manage to get some on the floor and sides of the glass. Then it dries and there is crust that my girlfriend gives me crap about.

03/04/2012, 08:24 AM	#7
NanoReefWanabe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,639	i find trying to convince my wife the new acro and chalice where only ten dollars each is the most annoying...

03/04/2012, 08:55 AM	#9
mwilliams62 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,056	Water changes and algea scraping. I always get water all over the carpet.

03/04/2012, 09:39 AM	#12
Dholmblad Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northern va Posts: 563	carrying my kalk bucket up the stairs. One day I am going to spill it... I really need a better way

03/04/2012, 09:39 AM	#13
ThaBeast Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 332	Most annoying for me is needing to go to work instead of working on reef tank

03/04/2012, 09:45 AM	#14
Kies1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 544	Changing media in filters and reactors. Biggest pia

03/04/2012, 01:00 PM	#15
jackde Old dog and new tricks Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern IN Posts: 328	Most annoying is waiting for a new tank cycle so the fun jobs can begin.

03/04/2012, 01:10 PM	#16
Silkyslim Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NY Posts: 149	Carrying buckets for water changes/top off.

03/04/2012, 01:37 PM	#18
HHIreefer843 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hilton Head Island Posts: 554	not having enough money for what i want...wait need....wait want __________________ GO GAMECOCKS!!!!!!

03/04/2012, 01:39 PM	#19
fdonophan Franimal Join Date: May 2008 Location: Suncoast of Florida Posts: 453	I agree that the maintenance is more therapeutic than annoying. The buckets are heavy, the salt is pricey, the green film is distracting...but when it's done the life, movement and beauty is SO worth every bit of it! My boyfriend doesn't get it AT ALL. He always says "It's just so much work!" and no matter how often I tell him I ENJOY the work he just doesnt believe me. __________________ -Fran Do not dumb here. Not dumb area here. Current Tank Info: Ecopico Office Reef

03/04/2012, 02:17 PM	#20
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Cleaning the reflector can be a little tedious. You clean it, and then you look at it on the pitch and see a bunch of smuges, so you clean it again...

03/04/2012, 02:30 PM	#21
mussel and hate Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: location location Posts: 701	cleaning the salt spray residue from the surrounding environment.

03/04/2012, 02:38 PM	#23
mshaq Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 38	Mounting corals ... I hate it and I stink at it. Remember that scene in "A Christmas Story" when Ralphie's father is removing clinkers from the furnace while sending a stream of obscenities into the atmosphere? I think about that scene every time I mount corals Second is water changes.

03/04/2012, 03:19 PM	#24
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	ditto to changing media followed by removing dried salt

03/04/2012, 03:33 PM	#25
gmate MASC Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 2,267	Water changes. My RO/DI is in the basement. So when I fill a few 20g rubbermaids with cold ro/di and have to lug them upstairs, bring them to temp, mix salt, let it sit for 24 hours, then do the WC....man half the time I just get lazy and stop. Hence why my weekly regimen gets out of whack. Also, girlfriend nagging me about buying stuff. If I get told one more time that I'm spending too much money.... __________________ https://www.marinecolorado.org/ 180, 90 and 50 gallon reef ready systems. Fragging & trading since 2010. Current Tank Info: 180g, 90g & 50g frag tank