MMcDonald 55 gal Build

Good advice. I keep a spare pump for my tank and I also pull it out and vinigar wash it every few months. Its always good to have a spare pump especially if your not close to a LFS that keeps the one you run on hand. I also keep a couple of spare bulbs on hand and about 20 gals of RODI water just in case.

 

Oh ya, and as for spare parts.... it does not hurt to have a couple spare shafts laying around for your skimmer and return pump. You can break the ceramic ones just cleaning. It will always happen after the stores are closed over a holiday weekend.

Note to self..... don't do pump maintenance over holiday weekends.

 

All good advice. I will add and incorporate. You guys will get a real laugh out of what I really have in mind.... an online task manager checklist to automatically remind me of recurring tasks and past due tasks. That way I never forget and can continually improve my routine based on what I learn. I also plan to write down some contingency procedures. What to do if this happens or that happens. Thinking those things out in advance always makes the emergencies much easier.

I am also going to document a complete schematic (structural, plumbing, electrical) and explanation of my system. Mostly just for me. If I can write it down and draw it, then I prove to myself that I really understand it. I can also use that to question myself as to why I did things a certain way. It will also help in communicating with everyone else to get critiques, etc. and improve more.

More NASA Geekness on the way.

M

 

Dude.... I think you will be the first Man to put a reef tank up in space.;D

 

Little known fact... STS-107, the Columbia Disaster... had some fish on it as an experiment. Amazingly, the cannister they were in survived the break up and was found. The fish were STILL ALIVE! Unreal. I was on the Columbia Recovery Team and out in the field finding debris for three months. One of the hardest things I have ever done.

M

 

I've been considering the best way of doing maintenance reminders as well, it's mostly the stuff that should be done every 6mo/year that I find tough to keep track of ("did I install those new bulbs in November or Decemeber?"). If you find a system that's publically available and free let us know, I bet some other people may be interested. I'm thinking maybe something like Google Calendar or something.

 

I use google calendar for this. And a ton of other chores reef related and otherwise.

looking good nasadude. need some updated pics though

 

Making progress. Added 60lbs of sand today.... 40lbs to DT and 20lbs to refugium to get to appropriate depths for a DSB in both.

In doing so, I took all the LR out and weighed it. 100lbs wet. When quoting LR weight is that the wet weight or the dry weight? If dry, what about 20% discount off the wet weight to approximate the dry weight?

Mark

 

Have you researched the pro's and con's to having a DSB in the DT? It's something I don't think I would ever do.

 

I researched DSB's and it sounded standard and reasonable. I read about fears of "bad stuff" getting released into the water but also read that you compensate for that by having sand sifter snails and such. Did I miss something?? I sent a PM to reefcleaners today asking for their advice on setting up my CUC and sand sifter snails.

What did I miss? Still learning.

M