Tank neglector.... Are you one of them?

[D12monkey]

Hey everyone....

Quick Question, What's the longest you've neglected your tank(s) [for those of you with multiple tanks] and what side effect have you seen from it?

[D12monkey]

Ok So I'll start.... Unfortunately I have been one as of late. I'm on my 2 months with out real maintence of my 3 tanks. My nano is the one with the most signs of hurting. The zoos and shrooms do not open much at all and a mild case of cyano bloom. The only maintence preformed has been fresh water top off and the automated dosing of the tanks.

My reef tank has been the one with the best hold up as it's the one that is most automated.

The 55 has an encrusted layer of algae on the window which I need to spend a few hours scraping off.

It's hard work 14 hour days 7 days a week with the Project lauching I've been spear heading.

On the bright side. I will have a nice bonus coming and the tax return should be in shortly. But most importantly I will have more time soon.

[FragOutpost]

As far as water changes are concerned, in the past I've gone about 2-3 months before without doing them. About 6 months ago I slacked on my additives and had the alk drop too low and lost a handful of nice corals.
Lately I've been trying a new method of water changes. I used to try and change 30 gallons twice a month. Now I change about 5 gallons 4-5 times per week.

[D12monkey]

Originally Posted by FragOutpost

As far as water changes are concerned, in the past I've gone about 2-3 months before without doing them. About 6 months ago I slacked on my additives and had the alk drop too low and lost a handful of nice corals.
Lately I've been trying a new method of water changes. I used to try and change 30 gallons twice a month. Now I change about 5 gallons 4-5 times per week.

I presonally used to do this method as it maintains the parameters more stable. You can actually reduce and even stop your dosing via this method if you are doing it that much. I only used to do it twice a week.

[FragOutpost]

14 hours a day 7 days a week is rough. In the past I have worked multiple jobs at the same time working 80 hour weeks. That was when my tank suffered the most. It is hard to dedicate the time to tank maintenance when you work that much.

[FragOutpost]

It can be difficult doing frequent small changes because it means always having fresh salt water on hand. I am developing a routine now where I make a trashcan full of saltwater which will last 4-5 days and the other two days of the week I spend waiting for the RO water to fill up and the saltwater to mix at least overnight.

[D12monkey]

I just keep looking at the end of the tunnel... A large bonus, and a 2 week all expense paid trip to cancun Mexico.

[FragOutpost]

Oh yeah, using this method has cut my additive consumption in easily in half.

[FragOutpost]

Originally Posted by D12monkey

I just keep looking at the end of the tunnel... A large bonus, and a 2 week all expense paid trip to cancun Mexico.

WhooHoo!
I bet your LFS be happy to see you after that.

[D12monkey]

LOL I've been called by 3 of my LFS already asking me if I was alright and where was I...

I would go pump water near full tide from my inlet. Never had a problem and it was exactly the same place my LFS would go get the water too. Pumped into 2 55 gal drums.

[FragOutpost]

Originally Posted by D12monkey

LOL I've been called by 3 of my LFS already asking me if I was alright and where was I...

LMAO!