Secret Methods and Tips

[ridetheducati]

I am sure this has been covered before, but I wanted to start a fresh thread.

 

We all have our secret methods and tips for maintaining a successful reef, so I wanted to share a few of mine and would like to hear yours as well.  Below are a few ideas to get things going...

 

• If you know the employees at the LFS, bring them a frag or two once in awhile for their tanks.
• Keep a journal.
• Use a squeegee to clean the display panels. 
• Put labels on all power cords.
• Use Turkey Baster or power head to blow detritus out of rock work before a water change.
• Start a siphon by placing the submerged end of the hose in front of a working powerhead.
• Picking lime can be used as a Kalk substitute.
• Pay half cash and half credit card when trying to hid a purchase.
• Always use primer when gluing PVC.
• Add a teaspoon of kalk to the skimmer cup to eliminate sewage smell.

Edited November 5, 2013 by ridetheducati

[jacobB89]

Pretty cool tips. Lost on the "use turkey baster before water change"?

 

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[AlanM]

I think this could also be stated as "blow off the rocks before water change".

 

Pretty cool tips. Lost on the "use turkey baster before water change"?

 

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[YHSublime]

Pretty cool tips. Lost on the "use turkey baster before water change"?

 

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Blows detrius off the rocks.

[jacobB89]

I think this could also be stated as "blow off the rocks before water change".

 

 

Blows detrius off the rocks.

 

Ahhhh very good tip I'll be using that now thanks

 

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[TheyCallMeMr.703]

Nice... Can I also add...
 -" Don't Forget, some Corals feed at night... "

[Der ABT]

+1 on label all cords....and also label all on off switches.

 

Label the sump with the high and low marks for water (aka if below this mark needs water) in case someone is taking care of the tank.

[AlanM]

Here are a few that I just did:

• Turn off your return pump every couple of weeks to make sure that whatever check valve or other system you have for preventing a sump overflow is still working so it doesn't happen while you're not at home.
• If you plan to power essentials in a power outage with a generator, do a drill in advance to see if you can actually do it and if you have enough cords that reach the right spots.
• Take pictures of your corals so you'll be able to tell if they're growing and how fast since it happens so slowly.

[rocko918]

Leave your tank alone. It will do better with out your hands in the tank.

Keep It Simple Stupid.  Avoid too much hands on and let your system roll.

[Enkay]

Be patient. And feed blackworms .

[BowieReefer84]

Put a piece of clear tape on salifert plastic syringe to keep numbers/lines from wearing off.

Edited November 5, 2013 by BowieReefer84

[ridetheducati]

Put a piece of clear tape on salifert plastic syringe to keep numbers/lines from wearing off.

 

+1

[Hilary]

DJ power panels are a great way to manage all of those power cords, and allow you to easily switch individual items on/off as needed.

[Der ABT]

Put a piece of clear tape on salifert plastic syringe to keep numbers/lines from wearing off.

haha i just used a razor and scored the tube...

 

and to add on this

the pink plastic tips from the salifert kits are MUCH better than the Hannah reagent ones....i use the pink tip for the alk checker all the time.

[ridetheducati]

Do not be shy, share your secrets.

[trockafella]

Request fish to be fed in front of you before buying

 

Dont make irrational livestock purchases

 

Dont trust LFS employees, do your own research

 

Do it right the first time and dont cut corners, especially on plumbing

[TheyCallMeMr.703]

We got some GOOD Stuff on here... Keep it up.lol
  I wonder who's goin' to be the one, who add's and Sums all this up????    Not I, this time.lol

[matt]

- provide for sufficient space between corals...know your space constraints when stocking

- painters tape works well for marking the low water level in your sump...leave a visible section to see where the water line is right next to it

- research purchases raither than buying what would look nice in your tank

- pick stock knowing what else you won't be able to keep in your tank after that decision

- light acclimate when changing bulbs...change the photo-period or use screening to shade things

- don't overbuy on your clean up crew...what your system can't sustain just dies and creates more mess than you had in the first place

- try to know where your fish sleep...so you know if there are enough remaining hidey holes of appropriate size before you buy more fish

- figure out how you will be able to remove your sump (if necessary) before you fill your display with water

- use PVC or tube fittings that allow you to dismantle plumbing for tank moves or maintenance

- isolate encrusing montiporas on their own rocks

- placing corals near the back of the tank is easier before you allow corals placed on the front of the tank to grow out

- keep a dedicated towel handy and near your display

- make sure people who clean things near and around your tank know what cleaning products (windex for example) you may not want sprayed

- factor in kids, other pets, and clumsy adults when considering rimless uncovered aquariums or open sumps/stands

- don't assume you'll be able to upgrade before animal ___ gets too big....life happens

- if using dosing pumps for two-part...label both the pumps and dosing vessels so you keep the same 'part' on the same pump when refilling

Edited November 6, 2013 by matt

[ridetheducati]

• Always keep a spare return pump on hand.

Test run the reef system on the generator at least annually.

Plumbing:  Always use unions on return pump.

Planning:  When possible, segment equipment across several power circuits.

Lighting:  Clean light fixture frequently to avoid salt creep.

Place a small power head in sump to keep detritus suspended for removal by skimmer.

Soak power heads in vinegar to remove coralline algae.

Cover nuisance and evasive corals such as Montipora Cap. with epoxy.  

Always have RODI water and salt available for emergencies.

Power:  Always use GFI circuits.

[ridetheducati]

Oil slick on water surface?

 

Drag newspaper across the water surface, the newspaper will quickly pick up debris.

[ridetheducati]

Apex controller notification:  Verizon email can be used to receive notifications from Apex.  

 

Anecdotal Bubble Tip Anemone cloning:  How to force a large BT anemone to split.  Force feed the anemone for three days and conduct a large water change (50%). The stress will cause the BT anemone to begin splitting.  I have used this method at least 20 times.

Edited November 6, 2013 by ridetheducati

[Curtis Scott]

Put a piece of clear tape on salifert plastic syringe to keep numbers/lines from wearing off.

+1 great idea!

[paul b]

I add mud from the sea to "refresh" bacteria and add new strains.

Be able to feed new fish what they are supposed to eat, rather than trying to teach them what you want them to eat.

Im done for now.  

[YHSublime]

Put a nylon on the end of your syphon and drop it in the sump. Clean up debris from your DT without doing a water change.

[matt]

- slow flow through your sump and return pump mean longer intraction time with your skimmer (rely on other pumps for in-tank flow)

- drill your tanks...it's really not that hard and is so much more safe than a weir overflow

- monitor the house lights near your tank...prevent/limit the use of those spectrums may be helping grow that unwanted algae