Weekly Discussion - Logging your Reef

[Anonymous]

Weekly Discussion - Logging your Reef

How many of you actually keep a log of your tank over time? How comprehensive is it? Do you find it helpful? How? If you don't keep a log, do you wish you did?

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[Anonymous]

I keep a spreadsheet with the following info:

Water processed with the RO unit, when each filter was last replaced
When bulbs were last replaced
Any fish/critters added (or disappeared)
Date and results of testing

 

[liquid]

If you've got a webserver up and running, a person can use TankLogger:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/tanklogger/

For a working model, please see: http://malhavoc.homeunix.com/TankLogger/

Shane

 

[Len]

Long time ago, I used to it with good ol' pen and paper (I think I still have the notepads somewhere). But after a few years and seeing no problems with my tank, I got admittedly lazy. I might start taking up the habit again since computers make it so much simplier now. If nothing else, I should log the data from my aquacontroller.

 

[Len]

FWIW, i still keep track of when my bulbs are replaced so I know when their due for replacement.

 

[Anonymous]

Not anymore. I used to. Every day I did water tests, notes, ect. For about the first two weeks of my tank. Then I got lazy. I only do tests if something looks really wrong. When It looks kinda wrong, i do a 30% water change and give it a day. I also used to keep a log of all equipment and when/where I bought it. Now, I just take a sharpie and write the date on the bulb when I put it into the fixture. I figure the rest of the equipment isn't going to go anywhere. SO why log it?

B

 

[LFS42]

I used to, weekly.

Now I just keep to the routine.

bulbs are easy to remember, guess what's on my X-mas list. :wink:

 

[LauraH]

Despite all the advice to the contrary, I've never been compelled to keep a log. It always seemed like just one more thing to keep up with.

I guess is may have been helpful in the early years, but now things seem more simplified. It's a matter of routine. I don't tinker around with the system as much as I did. I suppose it would still be a good idea to keep track of when animals are added and corals are fragged. I have sometimes wished that I did.

 

[tinyreef]

lotus organizer

i print it out in a calendar form for daily notes and pre-inputed recurring dosings and maintenances. check offs are usually the extent of it but like len points out, periodic bulb changes are critical. different tanks, different lights have different schedules plus staggering the type of bulbs. (vho, pc, mh) altho i still eyeball judge it for the final decision.

logging still helps out alot for oopies or 8O . it usually helps points out a triggering event or even circumstantial relationships.

 

[Anonymous]

I use this web based site to track things:
http://www.aquaserve.com/WetNet/default.asp

I've used it for years. I like the 3 email reminders one can set up. I get one to remind me to do a water change, one when it's time to change the bulbs, and one when it's time to clean the (entire) skimmer.

I've also tracked my parameters & livestock over the years. Good site.

 

[tkhawaja]

I registered the latest version of ReefCon Pro. It lets me track everything I could possibly dream of: equipment, livestock, water and trace elements log. Got reminders and maintenance. Right now I track PH, salinity, and temprature almost on a daily basis. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are done about twice weekly. Calcium, alkalinity, and hardness are done about weekly. I'm sure once I finish cycling the tank I will only do full testing before and a few days after adding anything new.

 

[ReefMan75-20-15]

I second the ReefCon Pro. I have been using it for about 6 months now. I like it alot. It enables one to keep an extensive list of many things.

 

[Jolieve]

I use reefcon 2000 to log when I add new animals, do water changes, add new equipment to the tank so I can figure out where I screwed up and go back and undo it if possible.

It has an expense tracker.. when it got over a thousand dollars.. I stopped logging expenses. Then... when I got in the weekly habit of water changes for sure, I stopped tracking those... still track new livestock with it, dates added and any time I test in the tank (which is admittedly, sporadic since the ammonia spike came and went) I put that in there...

J.

 

[Mogo]

When setting up my new tank I kept a comprehensive logbook. It included a hand made spread sheet for entering test results for most of the major parameters. Looking at my earliest logbook entries, I did a pretty diligent job testing for stuff at least twice a week for the first few months. Since then I have added slots for magnesium, silicates and strontium. Then once every blue moon I enter the data onto the computer into Reef Con except the dollar figures which I don't want to know

Kinda neat looking back through my logbook. It shows the successes and the failures. I'm glad I've kept one from the beginning.

 

[Reefguide]

Got this from a friend... For me, simple is better ! This sheet records three different tanks..

Want the spreadsheet I'd be happy to send...

 

[AQUADOC]

For 20 years I kept daily logs of my systems. It did pay off doing this even when I/we were not there. Someone was there in my/our absence to do it for us. I/we trained personnel to do exact tests and daily logs in case something DID come up, we would be able to back track any problems or anomalys and find the cause of such. Logs should be an integral part of the hobby/business to save you headaches later on down the road, especially when in a business venture.
Aquadoc-