Using fishlore as an excuse..... silly me

Well today is tank cleaning day and I've been really productive so far. I've cleaned 4 out of the 8 tanks that I have but it seems after each tank I have to check fishlore.

Atleast right now I have somewhat of a good reason for goofing off for a bit. I just finished my 55 saltwater and my hands are all gross and so I'm trying to let them recoup before moving onto the monster (reef).

I'm almost done tho!!! here's the order of what's left
150 reef
29 seahorses
125 planted
2.5 betta

Thankfully the 125 is basically clean I just am changing water so no algae scrubing or stirring sand.

Woot woot I feel so accomplished today! So much done and its only 2pm.

 

I always check FL while cleaning tanks. Gotta keep motivated!

 

I'd start with the biggest one first and work down lol makes the rest of it seem easier XD

 

I'd start with the biggest one first and work down lol makes the rest of it seem easier XD

I use to do that and I would just stop after the big three and say I'd do the small ones later. Which wouldn't happen. My biggest two are the most important to get cleaned which means I HAVE to get them done. If I start with all the little ones while I'm motivated I get a lot more done. Big tanks are no fun to clean..........so many buckets......

 

You need a hose that goes out the window!

 

150 reef -- CHECK! Woot woot getting closer!

You need a hose that goes out the window!

Oh I have one! Works great for taking water out of the tanks. Not so great for putting the water back in. None of my sinks can hook up to it. Plus I have to mix salt for the marine tanks. So buckets it is. The 125 freshwater is actually the worst to fill because its in the basement which has no water facets or anything so I have to carry about 50 gallons of water down the stairs to refill that tank.

 

Oh yeah, can't exactly fill a Saltwater tank up from the tap LOL Talk about an expensive mistake

 

Or at least down the drain. Not sure how good the salt from it all would be on the grass. It may turn it a lovely shade of brown?

 

Oh yeah, can't exactly fill a Saltwater tank up from the tap LOL Talk about an expensive mistake

yeah I bet most of the fish would be "okay" but the corals wouldn't. I'm sure the fish would be stressed beyond belief but I bet they would live. People freshwater dip their fish a lot. I don't but I know people who do. Then when I top off my tanks I use straight freshwater and it doesn't seem to bother them. I have two that no matter how hard I try not to dump it on them they insist on being in it as its being poured.

 

Well, salt doesn't evaporate, if that's what you mean when you top offs. Can only be removed by water changes, so really, unless you have fish that like that higher salinity when the water level goes down, you're just making it better. But, I feel like I typed that for nothing, as I'm sure you know that

As for the dips, for a slightly unrelated example, salt water crocodiles will swim up river to get rid of parasites. But to do it to an unwilling fish isn't very nice Not sure if that's why Saltwater people do it though. Just a random fun fact ;D

 

Or at least down the drain. Not sure how good the salt from it all would be on the grass. It may turn it a lovely shade of brown?

It does trust me, I learned the hard way.....parents were slightly upset. I drain it down my driveway and it kills the weeds in the cracks along the way and I drain it onto this brick porch thing we have. Keeps everything weed free. Seahorse tank goes down the drain because its on the second floor.

Well, salt doesn't evaporate, if that's what you mean when you top offs. Can only be removed by water changes, so really, unless you have fish that like that higher salinity when the water level goes down, you're just making it better. But, I feel like I typed that for nothing, as I'm sure you know that

As for the dips, for a slightly unrelated example, salt water crocodiles will swim up river to get rid of parasites. But to do it to an unwilling fish isn't very nice Not sure if that's why Saltwater people do it though. Just a random fun fact ;D

They do it for parasites like ich and such. I just stick to heat and water changes.

 

It does trust me, I learned the hard way.....parents were slightly upset. I drain it down my driveway and it kills the weeds in the cracks along the way and I drain it onto this brick porch thing we have. Keeps everything weed free. Seahorse tank goes down the drain because its on the second floor.

LOL Oops!

Eco friendly weed control! =D

They do it for parasites like ich and such. I just stick to heat and water changes.

Yeah, seems a bit nicer

 

WOOH all done

Now time to feed and test all the water again just to double check everything

Then onto my silly birds cage, cleaning bowls (bird, dogs, and cats), clean two litter boxes and give my old doggie his medicine.

 

I split my water changes into 2 days. I do guinea pig cage on monday, smaller tanks on wednesday, big tank on thursday, and bearded dragon everyday.

 

WOOH all done

Now time to feed and test all the water again just to double check everything

Then onto my silly birds cage, cleaning bowls (bird, dogs, and cats), clean two litter boxes and give my old doggie his medicine.

Talk about a zoo!

 

I split my water changes into 2 days. I do guinea pig cage on monday, smaller tanks on wednesday, big tank on thursday, and bearded dragon everyday.

I use to do that but then my new school schedule is INSANE. I literally only have an hour or so at home most days so I've moved them all to one day for now.

Talk about a zoo!

I also have a horse haha (;

 

Now its a *petting* zoo =D

 

Now its a *petting* zoo =D

Haha what if the "petting" part of it doesn't like to be petted? Does that make it a rabbid horse and zoo? :;pirate

 

Haha what if the "petting" part of it doesn't like to be petted? Does that make it a rabbid horse and zoo? :;pirate

Yes. ;D

 

I have two that no matter how hard I try not to dump it on them they insist on being in it as its being poured.

I add top-off to my sump, it prevents the RO from hitting corals directly etc.

As for my changes, it's a bit of a schedule for me, but now that I have it figured out, it's not too bad, my Sunday's are pretty full.

Whenever I can't be bothered, I just think about the PITA of trying to recover from poor husbandry - my Freshwater BBA is back under control, and reducing now that regular WC's are occurring again.

Sunday routine goes something like:
10am Start RO/DI for Reef PWC (sometimes make RO on Saturday if time permits)
10am Fill two buckets with RO/DI waste water, add Prime and heaters (for Freshwater PWC) - I have really good water quality (TDS of 30ppm)
11:30am Add salt for reef, chuck in the pump and heater. Refill RO/DI top-off container

1pm - wash two cars
3pm - Water testing - Freshwater GH and KH and add conditioners to buckets if required (my Freshwater is stable, and only check GH/KH now). Reef is not so stable yet, check Salinity, Alk, NO3, PO4, Mg, Ca (pH will be what will be)
4pm - shower so I'm nice and clean for water change/cleaning
4:30 - Freshwater water change and clean, and filter clean if required (i.e. reduced flow)
5pm - Reef clean, algae scraping and water change, clean skimmer cup.
6pm - sit back, relax and bask in the glory of keeping aquariums.
7pm - feeding time for me and the fish