Perhaps unusual, but I decided to make a revision-2 tank journal.
I had a rather large setback with a partial tank crash, and plan to change a ton of things.
Plus, mentally, I need a restart.
Old tank thread is here: http://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/ryghs-250-gallon-upgrade.9718/
It has been about 4.5 years since I started that.
SO THE NEW GOALS:
1 - Acknowledge that I have a serious lack of time.
Time spent with the kid has gone WAY up. Not a bad thing, but a fact.
In particular, weekends are so often totally shot.
2 - Simplify and automate regular maintenance and testing.
Lack of time + procrastinations has led to skimping on important maintenance.
I need to solve that.
3 - New rock-work.
The old rock formations were too bulky, and I had some issues with concrete falling apart.
New ones need more thought on coral mounting, more thought on not blocking flow,
and I want it to be more "whimsical." Fun tunnels, branches, etc.
4 - Do something with the sand bed.
Perhaps eliminate it? Make it much smaller? Coarse sand?
Not sure yet.
5 - Fix the display tank flow
The flow in the main tank is terrible.
Too strong in some spots, dead in others, digs up sand, ugly powerheads, and so on.
6 - Properly planned mix of corals
Right now, it is pretty much whatever managed to survive.
Before, it was pretty much what looked rather interesting at the time.
Needs some actual planning.
7 - Simplify the sump and plumbing
I added a fun huge fuge, but I know I will never use it.
And some of the plumbing is still flex tube, waiting to fail.
8 - More fish
I waited a bit because I knew the tangs and others would grow.
I am confident I can add some more now.
And most importantly:
9 - Ask for more help!!!
I do enjoy solving problems myself ... but really not the best plan.
And it is clear there is a lot of great advice from people in the club.
So ... expect a lot of questions and plans for how to fix the tank here.
I had a rather large setback with a partial tank crash, and plan to change a ton of things.
Plus, mentally, I need a restart.
Old tank thread is here: http://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/ryghs-250-gallon-upgrade.9718/
It has been about 4.5 years since I started that.
SO THE NEW GOALS:
1 - Acknowledge that I have a serious lack of time.
Time spent with the kid has gone WAY up. Not a bad thing, but a fact.
In particular, weekends are so often totally shot.
2 - Simplify and automate regular maintenance and testing.
Lack of time + procrastinations has led to skimping on important maintenance.
I need to solve that.
3 - New rock-work.
The old rock formations were too bulky, and I had some issues with concrete falling apart.
New ones need more thought on coral mounting, more thought on not blocking flow,
and I want it to be more "whimsical." Fun tunnels, branches, etc.
4 - Do something with the sand bed.
Perhaps eliminate it? Make it much smaller? Coarse sand?
Not sure yet.
5 - Fix the display tank flow
The flow in the main tank is terrible.
Too strong in some spots, dead in others, digs up sand, ugly powerheads, and so on.
6 - Properly planned mix of corals
Right now, it is pretty much whatever managed to survive.
Before, it was pretty much what looked rather interesting at the time.
Needs some actual planning.
7 - Simplify the sump and plumbing
I added a fun huge fuge, but I know I will never use it.
And some of the plumbing is still flex tube, waiting to fail.
8 - More fish
I waited a bit because I knew the tangs and others would grow.
I am confident I can add some more now.
And most importantly:
9 - Ask for more help!!!
I do enjoy solving problems myself ... but really not the best plan.
And it is clear there is a lot of great advice from people in the club.
So ... expect a lot of questions and plans for how to fix the tank here.