Recurring Time Investment

KTwo · 02/16/2018, 06:14 PM

You know what I think would help me and a lot of other 'I think I want a saltwater tank...' type people would be some idea of the recurring time investment required to maintain a tank.

What things am I doing everyday and how long does it take?

What things am I doing every week and how long does it take?

Bi-weekly? Monthly?

I think most people realize that in the beginning few months that it's a fair amount of work that differs for everyone. But having a good idea of what your signing up on a long term, recurring basis could be a potential eye opener.

-K2

Reef noob_ · 02/16/2018, 06:42 PM

Here’s a rough estimate for me, erring on the long side for all times.

Every day:
Feed fish—-> 30 seconds (5-10 minutes if I watch)
Clean glass (magnet)—-> 1 minute

Every 2 days:
Clean filter sock—-> 2 minutes

Every week (weekend)
Clean skimmer—-> 5-10 minutes
Check all equipment—> 10 minutes
Fill ATO reservoir—-> 2 minutes

Every month
Replace GFO—-> 5 minutes
Remove chaeto—-> 10 minutes

Every 3 months
Water change—-> 30 min - 1 hr.

I might be missing something but that’s what’s coming to mind right now. Really not bad at all.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

on the spot · 02/16/2018, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTwo

...having a good idea of what your signing up on a long term, recurring basis could be a potential eye opener.

-K2

stony coral growing machine with metal halides = 1200 to 1500 KWH per month. High water mark set June 2012, 1817 KWH.

Fish only tank now with T5's = 309 KWH in January. In Michigan. with the furnace on all the time.

HTH

I know you asked time. I believe it's money more than time that chases people out.

Uncle99 · 02/17/2018, 08:02 AM

Time spent is usually equal to output quality.
Mixed reefs required attention, but time is irrelevant to the serious hobbists.

KTwo · 02/17/2018, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef noob_

Here’s a rough estimate for me, erring on the long side for all times.

....

I might be missing something but that’s what’s coming to mind right now. Really not bad at all.

Thanks. Doesn't seem unreasonable. Does any of that include time spent cleaning equipment/fighting salt creep/etc?

KTwo · 02/17/2018, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by on the spot

stony coral growing machine with metal halides = 1200 to 1500 KWH per month. High water mark set June 2012, 1817 KWH.

Fish only tank now with T5's = 309 KWH in January. In Michigan. with the furnace on all the time.

HTH

I know you asked time. I believe it's money more than time that chases people out.

True - money is not infinite. Does the 309 KWH in Michigan include the furnace? Seems to low to include the furnace. I just checked my latest electric bill - 700 kwh, with a gas furnace. In Maryland. Which isn't as cold as Michigan but has been a cold year for us.

KTwo · 02/17/2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle99

Time spent is usually equal to output quality.
Mixed reefs required attention, but time is irrelevant to the serious hobbists.

Agreed.

However, not having a reasonable understanding for Input(x) = Quality(y) can significantly skew your enjoyment. If I think I'm going to maintain an established 100g reef tank with only 20 minutes a week to find that it's 60 minutes a day will produce that expectation skew.

Just trying to set my expectations should I decide to take the plunge.

Zalick · 02/17/2018, 11:27 AM

This is kind of a minimum for my mixed reef to keep it nice looking. I'm rounding up to the nearest 5min increment. The more time you put in to a mixed reef, the better it looks. I copied reef_noob's format.

Every day:
Feed fish—-> 5 minutes to thaw frozen food and feed (10 minutes if I watch)

Every evening
Enjoy watching the tank -> 30 minutes

Every 2 days:
Change mesh sock -> 10 minutes (remove, replace, wipe up water) (if I'm using them)

Every week (weekend)
Clean skimmer—-> 10 minutes
Check all equipment—> 10 minutes
Clean glass -> 5 minutes
10% Water change -> 20 minutes (although I have the genesis auto change system now so it takes no time)
Test for Alk & Calc -> 10 minutes
Make new RO & Salt water -> 20 minutes (includes testing for chlorine breakthrough)

Every month
Replace GFO—-> 10 minutes

Every 6 months
Remove, dismantle and clean all pumps -> 1hr

on the spot · 02/18/2018, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTwo

Does the 309 KWH in Michigan include the furnace?..

Yes.

1800 SF, 2 story.

KTwo · 02/18/2018, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by on the spot

Yes.

1800 SF, 2 story.

Now I'm jealous. You're probably paying less than 10.5 cents/kwh to boot!

on the spot · 02/18/2018, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTwo

Now I'm jealous. You're probably paying less than 10.5 cents/kwh to boot!

sort of.

the electricity part of my bill was $29.01, so just over 9 cents per.

after I pay for the wires to get it here and all the knuckleheads that didn't plan on needing electricity when they quit working, plus all the "extra nonsense", it's 18¢.

I'm not complaining of the cost, as I understand it can be more in other parts of the country/world. but the add ons seem excessive.

When the pendulum swings back towards reefing those numbers will climb back up again. Kept the halides.

Uncle99 · 02/19/2018, 09:53 AM

Ok, your right, I have a 70g mixed reef, six fish, 3 shrimps, 50 softies and LPS, 4 SPS, 2 clams.

15 minutes a day for top off, cleaning glass and manual dose and feeding
2 hours every Saturday for water change, pump cleaning, and testing and recording.
1 hour monthly to make water.
2 weeks every 5 years for a rebuild.

gonereefing654 · 02/19/2018, 10:36 AM

I had bought my first tank used. Almost a full setup. It came with mh lights and a chiller. I was new to the hobby so of course I ran my light 12 hours a day (I’m sure the chiller was running that long also) I had my chiller on the stand. My first 2 month electric bill was almost $200 higher. So of course I told my wife she must be running the central air to much and I quietly up graded my lights to led lol.

KTwo · 02/19/2018, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonereefing654

I had bought my first tank used. Almost a full setup. It came with mh lights and a chiller. I was new to the hobby so of course I ran my light 12 hours a day (I’m sure the chiller was running that long also) I had my chiller on the stand. My first 2 month electric bill was almost $200 higher. So of course I told my wife she must be running the central air to much and I quietly up graded my lights to led lol.

Nice recovery!!

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

KTwo · 02/19/2018, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle99

Ok, your right, I have a 70g mixed reef, six fish, 3 shrimps, 50 softies and LPS, 4 SPS, 2 clams.

15 minutes a day for top off, cleaning glass and manual dose and feeding
2 hours every Saturday for water change, pump cleaning, and testing and recording.
1 hour monthly to make water.
2 weeks every 5 years for a rebuild.

I like the 'two weeks every 5 years to rebuild'. So true of many hobbies I'm sure.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Vinny Kreyling · 02/19/2018, 05:56 PM

I do a 15 gallon, water change every week, clean the skimmer cup & do 6 separate water tests in an hour.
What you don't know is I did maintenance for almost 2 years & learned a few shortcuts for time.
Clean glass 2-3 times a week @ 10 minutes a clip.
5-20 minutes once a month to change GFO, clean 4 power heads, a few hrs twice a yr, refill calcium reactor 30 minutes when needed, once a yr.
Refill co2 tank every 18 months 1 hr with a 40 min. drive time to & fro.
I could go on but the bigger you get the more you work.

HBtank · 02/19/2018, 06:27 PM

I am simply going to say:

Daily: 15-30 min
Weekly: 1 hour
Monthly: 2 hours
Yearly: A weekend (16 hours)

This are independent of eachother and simple routine maintenance, not upgrades, researching and building, which can suck up vasts amounts of time... but is part of the fun

The weekend every year is simply some major maintenance project that is unavoidable (leaky X etc..)

I would say large systems easily double our quadruple this...

Cancun · 02/19/2018, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTwo

You know what I think would help me and a lot of other 'I think I want a saltwater tank...' type people would be some idea of the recurring time investment required to maintain a tank.

What things am I doing everyday and how long does it take?

What things am I doing every week and how long does it take?

Bi-weekly? Monthly?

I think most people realize that in the beginning few months that it's a fair amount of work that differs for everyone. But having a good idea of what your signing up on a long term, recurring basis could be a potential eye opener.

-K2

Hi! Great post by the way! Here is my schedule:

Daily:. Feed Mysis twice a day, observe all fish for health issues etc, empty skimmer if needed, clean glass...I am OCD about clean glass LOL, and add to sheets of seaweed to grazers.

Twice a week:. Change filter socs, and fill 10 gallon ATO container.

Once a week:. Mix saltwater and do 10% water change, run RODI in 32 gallon brute trash can.

Once a month:. Clean MP40, take apart and clean all pumps, and skimmer.

I am sure I am forgetting stuff....but that is most of it. Over the years this has worked for me. I don't look at this as a chore though. I feel that by putting in a little work...it pays off in the end with a healthy tank and healthy livestock.

Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk

big_aug · 02/20/2018, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by on the spot

Yes.

1800 SF, 2 story.

Quote:

Originally Posted by on the spot

Yes.

1800 SF, 2 story.

There's no way. I have nothing but a refrigerator, PC, and a few LED lightbulbs in my 900sqft condo. I pulled my electric bills when I read this just to see. I use 300+ kwh a month sometimes in the summer when my usage is lowest.

big_aug · 02/20/2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_aug

There's no way. I have nothing but a refrigerator, PC, and a few LED lightbulbs in my 900sqft condo. I pulled my electric bills when I read this just to see. I use 300+ kwh a month sometimes in the summer when my usage is lowest.

No aquarium yet. I'm just researching. Theres no way you're running an 1800sqft house with an aquarium and using less electricity than me. I literally have four total rooms.

mitch91175 · 02/20/2018, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle99

Time spent is usually equal to output quality.
Mixed reefs required attention, but time is irrelevant to the serious hobbists.

Preach uncle99! I work from home and I am always doing something fish related (I say fish related because it doesn't always directly affect the DT).

I am preparing for adding more SPS to my setup so I can trying to calculate depletions of ALK/CAL/MAG so I can setup my dosing regiment properly. I measure ALK multiple times per day right now to try to get it dialed in. Once I have a good number of ml/hour to dose, I will start doing with my doser and measure once per day just to make sure that everything is in line with what I want to keep my reef. Then will repeat the cycle for CAL/MAG. I know I can do them at once, but makes me better understand MAG affects on ALK/CAL doing it this way I think. My MAG is holding steady right now.

With all that said, I still am learning everyday something new. Again, not that it is always something that directly affects the DT in it current state, just learning more daily.

My plan is to have a thriving mixed reef. Wish it could happen over night, but we all know how that goes.

02/16/2018, 06:14 PM	#1
KTwo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 33	Recurring Time Investment You know what I think would help me and a lot of other 'I think I want a saltwater tank...' type people would be some idea of the recurring time investment required to maintain a tank. What things am I doing everyday and how long does it take? What things am I doing every week and how long does it take? Bi-weekly? Monthly? I think most people realize that in the beginning few months that it's a fair amount of work that differs for everyone. But having a good idea of what your signing up on a long term, recurring basis could be a potential eye opener. -K2

02/16/2018, 06:42 PM	#2
Reef noob_ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: holmdel, NJ Posts: 555	Recurring Time Investment Here’s a rough estimate for me, erring on the long side for all times. Every day: Feed fish—-> 30 seconds (5-10 minutes if I watch) Clean glass (magnet)—-> 1 minute Every 2 days: Clean filter sock—-> 2 minutes Every week (weekend) Clean skimmer—-> 5-10 minutes Check all equipment—> 10 minutes Fill ATO reservoir—-> 2 minutes Every month Replace GFO—-> 5 minutes Remove chaeto—-> 10 minutes Every 3 months Water change—-> 30 min - 1 hr. I might be missing something but that’s what’s coming to mind right now. Really not bad at all. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ ________________________ New Build in progress http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2528685 90 gallon DT, 65 Gallon Fuge, Chinese LEDs, LPS and Soft coral reef

02/17/2018, 11:27 AM	#8
Zalick My reef tanks my wallet Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Portland Posts: 571	This is kind of a minimum for my mixed reef to keep it nice looking. I'm rounding up to the nearest 5min increment. The more time you put in to a mixed reef, the better it looks. I copied reef_noob's format. Every day: Feed fish—-> 5 minutes to thaw frozen food and feed (10 minutes if I watch) Every evening Enjoy watching the tank -> 30 minutes Every 2 days: Change mesh sock -> 10 minutes (remove, replace, wipe up water) (if I'm using them) Every week (weekend) Clean skimmer—-> 10 minutes Check all equipment—> 10 minutes Clean glass -> 5 minutes 10% Water change -> 20 minutes (although I have the genesis auto change system now so it takes no time) Test for Alk & Calc -> 10 minutes Make new RO & Salt water -> 20 minutes (includes testing for chlorine breakthrough) Every month Replace GFO—-> 10 minutes Every 6 months Remove, dismantle and clean all pumps -> 1hr __________________ 300g custom acrylic from James 72x36x27, 4 Mitras Lx7 &6 a360, 2 Stream 3s, C2C beananimal. 100g sump, Jebao DCP- 8000 (Vectra M1 died) -> 114w aquauv -> SRO 5000ext , varios8 return Current Tank Info: Me v Dinos - I'm winning for now...

02/19/2018, 05:56 PM	#16
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I do a 15 gallon, water change every week, clean the skimmer cup & do 6 separate water tests in an hour. What you don't know is I did maintenance for almost 2 years & learned a few shortcuts for time. Clean glass 2-3 times a week @ 10 minutes a clip. 5-20 minutes once a month to change GFO, clean 4 power heads, a few hrs twice a yr, refill calcium reactor 30 minutes when needed, once a yr. Refill co2 tank every 18 months 1 hr with a 40 min. drive time to & fro. I could go on but the bigger you get the more you work. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

02/19/2018, 06:27 PM	#17
HBtank Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,957	I am simply going to say: Daily: 15-30 min Weekly: 1 hour Monthly: 2 hours Yearly: A weekend (16 hours) This are independent of eachother and simple routine maintenance, not upgrades, researching and building, which can suck up vasts amounts of time... but is part of the fun The weekend every year is simply some major maintenance project that is unavoidable (leaky X etc..) I would say large systems easily double our quadruple this... __________________ 80g Aiptasia dominated reef tank.. with fish and now a bunch of berghia! Current Tank Info: 80g tank, re-starting a reef after a zoanthid nudibranch plauge, followed by months of steady and unstoppable STN/RTN, crashed; stayed FOWLR for a couple years, currently an aiptasia dominated reef tank with fishies and BERGHIA

02/17/2018, 08:02 AM	#4
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Time spent is usually equal to output quality. Mixed reefs required attention, but time is irrelevant to the serious hobbists.

02/19/2018, 09:53 AM	#12
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Ok, your right, I have a 70g mixed reef, six fish, 3 shrimps, 50 softies and LPS, 4 SPS, 2 clams. 15 minutes a day for top off, cleaning glass and manual dose and feeding 2 hours every Saturday for water change, pump cleaning, and testing and recording. 1 hour monthly to make water. 2 weeks every 5 years for a rebuild.

02/19/2018, 10:36 AM	#13
gonereefing654 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 51	I had bought my first tank used. Almost a full setup. It came with mh lights and a chiller. I was new to the hobby so of course I ran my light 12 hours a day (I’m sure the chiller was running that long also) I had my chiller on the stand. My first 2 month electric bill was almost $200 higher. So of course I told my wife she must be running the central air to much and I quietly up graded my lights to led lol.