Maintenance Timesavers

t-dizzle · 04/26/2006, 10:59 PM

In an effort to combat future laziness, I'm determined to find ways to streamline my regular tank maintenance routine as much as possible. What are some of your favorite time-saving tips and tricks for making light work of water changes, tank cleaning, dosing, testing, etc.?

T./

iCam · 04/26/2006, 11:26 PM

Kalk reactor, automatic topoff, et cetera.

rich415 · 04/27/2006, 01:07 AM

A small rio pump conected to 1/2 inch tubing left in the sump for water changes. I just plug in the pump and fill the container. It sure beats trying to start a syphon.

Also, a float switch topoff. I just got mine and its worth its weight in gold!

sttroyiii · 04/27/2006, 08:37 AM

Get the largest reservoir you can to keep your RO water in for backup. Having it made in advance helps a lot. I think some people keep one for saltwater as well. Im not sure about the aeriation requirements though.

Spuds725 · 04/27/2006, 10:10 AM

If you get detritus accumulating in your sump, adding a poly filter bag can help export it rather then cleaning it up after ther fact.... buy 10 and swap them every other day or so (takes about a minute), will have enough to last 3 weeks or so, wash them by throwing them in the washing machine...no detergent, a little bleach, hot water, an extra rinse.... come out looking brand new and ready to reuse..

pledosophy · 04/27/2006, 11:59 AM

I plumbed my tank with a hose for water changes. To change the water I open a valve.

If I'm feeling extra lazy I cahnge the hose on my return pump and just pump the water out the window.

Auto RODI top offs are great.

Running a good refugium I have no need for a skimmer, no collection cup to empty.

Running a refugium I also produce alot of food for the corals and the fish as well, I don't feed my tank anything but live ghosts for the seahorses. That's right no food for the other fishes, not in years. Have started to add some calcuim though.

The bigger the clean up crew, the less you will have to do.

If you understock your tank it will be more stable.

Higher flows means the algaes can't hold on.

Installing a PVC support structure/spraybar for your liverock will eliminate dead spots and maximize the effectiveness of your liverock.

t-dizzle · 04/27/2006, 08:39 PM

These tips are all great! Keep 'em coming. If anyone knows of a list of time-saving tips and other bits of wisdom posted elsewhere, speak up!!

T./

xtrstangx · 04/27/2006, 08:56 PM

My new water change system.

1. Turn off my return pump via my RK2 (very very easy)
2. Open a ball valve in my sump.
3. Wait for 30 gallons to drain.
4. Close ball valve on sump.
5. Turn on Mag 7
6. Wait for 30 gallons to fill.
7. Turn off Mag 7.

All in all, it should take less than 5 minutes.

My top off system includes a Maxi-jet 1200 on autotopoff device feeding from a 30g resorvoir with a float switch in it.

Otherwise, everything is being controlled via my RK2. One device to time my lights, control my heater/fans, and control pH. One of the best investments ever.

Alaskan Reefer · 04/27/2006, 11:53 PM

A Litermeter III, two extra pumps for it, and three garbage cans can cut all CA/ALK replenishment (kalk) and water change tasks down to about 20 minutes every two weeks. Next fall I'm getting my two more pumps and two more 44 gallon Brutes...

Alaskan Reefer · 04/27/2006, 11:55 PM

Actually to amend, in a heavy CA/ALK demand tank sometimes kalk alone doesn't cut it. But you get the idea.

Timers for lights and fans of course, drains in skimmer collection cups, and automatic feeders are other time saving ideas...

04/26/2006, 10:59 PM	#1
t-dizzle Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 158	Maintenance Timesavers In an effort to combat future laziness, I'm determined to find ways to streamline my regular tank maintenance routine as much as possible. What are some of your favorite time-saving tips and tricks for making light work of water changes, tank cleaning, dosing, testing, etc.? T./ __________________ "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." - Carl Sagan Visit my gallery to see my tank evolve from bare glass into a beautiful reef! Current Tank Info: 26 bowfront w/ 40 lbs. Fiji LR, 40 lbs. sand, Remora, 2 MJ1200 PHs, 65w dual daylight/65w dual actinic/moonlight, various snails, 2 ocellaris clowns, 1 diamond goby, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, and a bunch of softies, mushrooms and zoos slowly moving in!

04/27/2006, 10:10 AM	#5
Spuds725 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio USA Posts: 2,051	If you get detritus accumulating in your sump, adding a poly filter bag can help export it rather then cleaning it up after ther fact.... buy 10 and swap them every other day or so (takes about a minute), will have enough to last 3 weeks or so, wash them by throwing them in the washing machine...no detergent, a little bleach, hot water, an extra rinse.... come out looking brand new and ready to reuse.. __________________ "I only have time to neglect one tank"-- Me "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve immortality by not dying"-- Woody Allen Current Tank Info: 125G mixed reef with 135G Sump

04/27/2006, 11:59 AM	#6
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	I plumbed my tank with a hose for water changes. To change the water I open a valve. If I'm feeling extra lazy I cahnge the hose on my return pump and just pump the water out the window. Auto RODI top offs are great. Running a good refugium I have no need for a skimmer, no collection cup to empty. Running a refugium I also produce alot of food for the corals and the fish as well, I don't feed my tank anything but live ghosts for the seahorses. That's right no food for the other fishes, not in years. Have started to add some calcuim though. The bigger the clean up crew, the less you will have to do. If you understock your tank it will be more stable. Higher flows means the algaes can't hold on. Installing a PVC support structure/spraybar for your liverock will eliminate dead spots and maximize the effectiveness of your liverock. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

04/27/2006, 08:39 PM	#7
t-dizzle Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 158	These tips are all great! Keep 'em coming. If anyone knows of a list of time-saving tips and other bits of wisdom posted elsewhere, speak up!! T./ __________________ "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." - Carl Sagan Visit my gallery to see my tank evolve from bare glass into a beautiful reef! Current Tank Info: 26 bowfront w/ 40 lbs. Fiji LR, 40 lbs. sand, Remora, 2 MJ1200 PHs, 65w dual daylight/65w dual actinic/moonlight, various snails, 2 ocellaris clowns, 1 diamond goby, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, and a bunch of softies, mushrooms and zoos slowly moving in!

04/27/2006, 11:53 PM	#9
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	A Litermeter III, two extra pumps for it, and three garbage cans can cut all CA/ALK replenishment (kalk) and water change tasks down to about 20 minutes every two weeks. Next fall I'm getting my two more pumps and two more 44 gallon Brutes... __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

04/26/2006, 11:26 PM	#2
iCam Window Seat Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 4,135	Kalk reactor, automatic topoff, et cetera.

04/27/2006, 01:07 AM	#3
rich415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 172	A small rio pump conected to 1/2 inch tubing left in the sump for water changes. I just plug in the pump and fill the container. It sure beats trying to start a syphon. Also, a float switch topoff. I just got mine and its worth its weight in gold!

04/27/2006, 08:37 AM	#4
sttroyiii Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 378	Get the largest reservoir you can to keep your RO water in for backup. Having it made in advance helps a lot. I think some people keep one for saltwater as well. Im not sure about the aeriation requirements though.

04/27/2006, 08:56 PM	#8
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	My new water change system. 1. Turn off my return pump via my RK2 (very very easy) 2. Open a ball valve in my sump. 3. Wait for 30 gallons to drain. 4. Close ball valve on sump. 5. Turn on Mag 7 6. Wait for 30 gallons to fill. 7. Turn off Mag 7. All in all, it should take less than 5 minutes. My top off system includes a Maxi-jet 1200 on autotopoff device feeding from a 30g resorvoir with a float switch in it. Otherwise, everything is being controlled via my RK2. One device to time my lights, control my heater/fans, and control pH. One of the best investments ever.

04/27/2006, 11:55 PM	#10
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Actually to amend, in a heavy CA/ALK demand tank sometimes kalk alone doesn't cut it. But you get the idea. Timers for lights and fans of course, drains in skimmer collection cups, and automatic feeders are other time saving ideas... __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress