Multiple Tank Syndrome.. I don't know how you guys do it.

[kimmisc]

With just my 3 tanks (29g, 10g, 10g) running now, I have plenty on my plate as is. I want more tanks, but keeping 3 environments healthy and maintained already seems like alot of work, worry, and money! Maybe I've had bad luck.

How do you people that keep 5-10 tanks going, often times very large ones, keep the momentum that you do? How long do you spend on tank maintenance? If I so much as had to dose ferts in 10 tanks every morning, I'd be late for work on a regular basis. :crazy:

[captaincaveman9]

I struggle with not gettiing more tanks. Maintenance is pretty easy, water change once a week for each (I have 4 tanks running), and they are heavily planted. The larger tanks seem easier to maintain than the smaller tanks IMO. I fert once a month for the plants, but reallt dont need to do it that often. Join the support group, We wont try to help you recover, and we'll help you want more tanks

[msjinkzd]

The larger tanks seem easier to maintain than the smaller tanks IMO.
I agree...although I don't have any "large" tanks, my 36g is much much easier to maintain and regulate than my 16g or 10g tanks. You should get one and test my theory! ;)

[Rbishop]

I rack up about 12-16 hours a week on maintenance. Many of the tanks are connected for auto drain by siphon, without having to monitor how low they get. Refills with auto shut off. Gravel vacs are minimized by extensive use of RUGF.

[Hooked Newbie]

2 hours a week for WCs and regular maintenance. Other than that, random "fiddling" and a few minutes each night to feed is all I put in.

[FishyFry]

2 hours a week for WCs and regular maintenance. Other than that, random "fiddling" and a few minutes each night to feed is all I put in.

That's about what I put in, though my tanks are 30gals or less. Keeping things simple helps. It's when things go awry that really messes up the routine.

[kimmisc]

2 hours a week for WCs and regular maintenance. Other than that, random "fiddling" and a few minutes each night to feed is all I put in.

Omgs. You know, seeing your sig in another thread is what prompted me to create this thread. :) I am amazed it only takes you 2hrs to do weekly PWC's. Are you using a python?

[Hooked Newbie]

Omgs. You know, seeing your sig in another thread is what prompted me to create this thread. :) I am amazed it only takes you 2hrs to do weekly PWC's. Are you using a python?

Oh yeah! Best thing since sliced bread! lol Once I finish the "office" to fish room conversion, I'll have 8-10 more tanks going. Should add an hour or so to my routine if I can figure out how to setup a common filtration system.

[johnlarson66]

I rack up about 12-16 hours a week on maintenance. Many of the tanks are connected for auto drain by siphon, without having to monitor how low they get. Refills with auto shut off. Gravel vacs are minimized by extensive use of RUGF.

:OT:

This is what I want to do next. Well, I want to do a continous water change. With a small amount of new water coming into the tank all the time.

I can't do it now, because where I am staying has a slab floor.

In about 3 years I will be returning to my house in NC. I want to set up a draining system going out to the flower beds and a refill system going thru some sort of filtering process and heating, maybe just "ageing". My place is on a well, but I still think some sort of filtration would be good.

I would like more information on "auto shut off". That is my biggest fear is that my overflow drain will stop draining and my tanks over flow.

I am done with my MTS. Besides what is posted below, I have a 46 gal bow front which is planted and has lots of guppies. I also have a 60 gallon that is getting filled with glofish.

I will have to update my pictures...

[kimmisc]

How would you go about using a python when your tap water is chlorinated?

[MammoMK11]

Always add water conditioner to new water going into your tank.

[Lupin]

With four tanks here, I need to maintain my water change schedule, not slack off.lol

[kimmisc]

Always add water conditioner to new water going into your tank.

Obviously. :) That's why I'd like to know how this is done using a python with city/county water.

[Mgamer20o0]

its easy just treat the tank before you start adding water. 100 gal tank gets 100 gal worth of prime.

[loaches r cool]

With just my 3 tanks (29g, 10g, 10g) running now, I have plenty on my plate as is. I want more tanks, but keeping 3 environments healthy and maintained already seems like alot of work, worry, and money! Maybe I've had bad luck.

How do you people that keep 5-10 tanks going, often times very large ones, keep the momentum that you do? How long do you spend on tank maintenance? If I so much as had to dose ferts in 10 tanks every morning, I'd be late for work on a regular basis. :crazy:

I feel the same. I have 3 tanks I maintain now and its too much... always missing a water change here or there. I dont even feed my fish every day, probably 3-4 times a week depending. I'm trying to upgrade all the tanks and hopefully will fully automate the water changing and fertilizer dosing. That will atleast keep the water changed as it should and all the parameters balanced. Depending on the week, I simply dont have hours to spend. For example one of my rotations at work is 6 days a week 12hrs each day, and thats flipping from dayshift for 3 and nightshift the other 3.

The family takes a lot of time away from hobbies to, a good hour spent each day taking my son to the sitters and back, plus having to watch/entertain him constantly. And a wife who thinks fish arent something that time needs to be spent on. :(

[KingOfTheDeep]

everything is easier with a python hose :D

i now have 8 tanks running, 1 150g 1 75g 4 55g 2 40g breeders

water change once a week

takes about 3 hours for everything..

[johnlarson66]

How would you go about using a python when your tap water is chlorinated?

I am not sure if you understood the answer.

Once you drain your old water out, treat the whole tank and then add your new water.

[kimmisc]

I am not sure if you understood the answer. It wasn't a response to your reply... just a question about using pythons, which we got on the subject of later in the thread.


Once you drain your old water out, treat the whole tank and then add your new water.

Yeah that's what Mg said above. It will really dechlorinate the fresh water as it enters the tank, instantly before the fish are exposed to it at all?

[kimmisc]

I feel the same. I have 3 tanks I maintain now and its too much... always missing a water change here or there. I dont even feed my fish every day, probably 3-4 times a week depending. I'm trying to upgrade all the tanks and hopefully will fully automate the water changing and fertilizer dosing. That will atleast keep the water changed as it should and all the parameters balanced. Depending on the week, I simply dont have hours to spend. For example one of my rotations at work is 6 days a week 12hrs each day, and thats flipping from dayshift for 3 and nightshift the other 3.

The family takes a lot of time away from hobbies to, a good hour spent each day taking my son to the sitters and back, plus having to watch/entertain him constantly. And a wife who thinks fish arent something that time needs to be spent on. :(

I don't even have a spouse and kids to take up my time, like you do, and sometimes I still have trouble staying focused on the task at hand when PWC day comes. Some people have so much more going on in their lives and still maintain so many aquariums. It's amazing I think.

[Que]

I feel the same. I have 3 tanks I maintain now and its too much... always missing a water change here or there. I dont even feed my fish every day, probably 3-4 times a week depending. I'm trying to upgrade all the tanks and hopefully will fully automate the water changing and fertilizer dosing. That will atleast keep the water changed as it should and all the parameters balanced. Depending on the week, I simply dont have hours to spend. For example one of my rotations at work is 6 days a week 12hrs each day, and thats flipping from dayshift for 3 and nightshift the other 3.

The family takes a lot of time away from hobbies to, a good hour spent each day taking my son to the sitters and back, plus having to watch/entertain him constantly. And a wife who thinks fish arent something that time needs to be spent on. :(

I hear you my brother.

Q

[judgemax]

lol, I have 18 tanks running currently, the bigger they are the easier they are, It also helps to have a water alarm, its a little thing that sets off an alarm, if the water lever rises above a certain level, nixes the overfilling tank in the bud !

[daayda3]

I dont mind the work.. infact, its not work at all...its fun :D

[loaches r cool]

I dont have time for fun either :huh:
lol

[Malefic23]

To answer your question, yes Kim, it really will dechlorinate the water before it touches the fish. I was a little leery a few years back of trying this method, but I've used it ever since, with zero problems, even with delicate fish. Add your dechlor, then python in water at the right temp. Water changes and tank maintain become ten times easier, be it small or big.

The other really usefull tool for tank matinence is Wataugachicken. I make her do the water changes since she's the one with severe MTS.

[Nolapete]

Python and Prime. It makes water changes very simple. I just start the Python draining and do something else. I set the vac part at the level I want the tank to drain down to.

Some day, I'm going to have a Dos-A-Matic system like Neo.

Getting 6 more tanks today, so that will bring my total to 27 with 15 currently up and 6 needing repair plus the ones I get today.

[kimmisc]

The other really usefull tool for tank matinence is Wataugachicken. I make her do the water changes since she's the one with severe MTS.

Ohhh, I'll look for one of those, too! :woot:

[wataugachicken]

:angryfire:

[AnDr3w]

A few nights ago I made myself and auto water changer! :)