How many of you use a log?

[Dragon Queen]

I have mine on the computer but I just started a few weeks ago to keep track of my water parameters and how long fish have been in qt. :dive:

 

[tuvok]

I use a program called, "Advanced Diary". I mostly take notes on test results (when I remember), maintenance and what ever else strikes me as noteworthy.

 

[RTR]

Simple calendar - I could keep track of what has been done and what needs to be done without it.

 

[lquinsey]

My log was invaluable while doing my fishless cycle. There is no way I could ever remember all those numbers, and it will remind me to be patient the next time.

 

[suby7272]

I have written a computer application onto which I record
1. Date of arrival
2. Fish Name
3. Price
4. LFS
5. Picture etc

It has a "Analyze" button which gives me a break up of
1. how many fish purchased so far
2. how many are living
3. how many are dead
4. monthly breakup of expenditure on fish purchase etc etc :

 

[Bmeasure]

I have written a computer application onto which I record
1. Date of arrival
2. Fish Name
3. Price
4. LFS
5. Picture etc

It has a "Analyze" button which gives me a break up of
1. how many fish purchased so far
2. how many are living
3. how many are dead
4. monthly breakup of expenditure on fish purchase etc etc :

Very interesting approach! I would value that ability very highly in the record keeping field of fishkeeping.

I don't keep notes on anything except my fertilizer dosing for planted tanks. I have a "basic" or "generic" dosing regimen that has been suggested by most experienced aquascapers here, and it will be adjusted to meet the needs of my tank as time dictates! I am still on the basic formula that Plantbrain outlines (50% water changes and set dose for max amount of uptake, then restart weekly). I am working with that and will figure out how things work out for me.

What would be great is for some more aquascape-experienced programmers to design some different programs for use with dosing regimens. There are two that I know of now, but both could be better, IMO (Chuck Gadd and Riverix). Not trying to insult, just saying that it could be made easier for newbies to plants (even though I've been doing plants for about 2 years). It would be nice to make a program that would be able to input each persons choices of nutrients and keep track of those over time (like a log-book), but also be able to show the "suggested dosing rates" for any fert. This would help people be able to keep track of their history with fertilizing.

 

[Blinky]

I have a lousy memory, I find a log is really useful when it comes to things like making sure I've dosed ferts on a particular day, looking back to find out how long a plant/fish has been in the tank, how many days I've been treating for a disease, when I need to change the water or make up new CO2 mix. It's also great for writing down things like the name of the disease guru I spoke to at the LFS (and which LFS it was!), or where I found a particular plant

 

[rohnds]

I have written a computer application onto which I record
1. Date of arrival
2. Fish Name
3. Price
4. LFS
5. Picture etc

It has a "Analyze" button which gives me a break up of
1. how many fish purchased so far
2. how many are living
3. how many are dead
4. monthly breakup of expenditure on fish purchase etc etc

Great minds think alike. I wrote a small db package using MS Access and Visual Basic. My main purpose to keep track of my water chemistry and be able to chart and analyze and see how they behave over a period of time. I also designed an alorithm to calculate the inches of fish you could keep, given the dimension of the tank and taking into account such things as frequecny of your water change, filter types and water chemistry and few others (which will be my secrect to the algorithm).
Like your, thsi db also keep track of fishes in your tank, when they dies, when they were introduced, how much they cost, when and where I bought them and why they died. I also record the symptoms they displayed prior to their death and what I used for treatment, if any.

About few months back I converted this db package to Oracle. Now I am thinking about creating an ASP to placed on the web. (that is in the future)

Rohn

 

[daveedka]

Hah !!! I think I've found a realm where I'm more neurotic than RTR

I keep excell spreadsheets. I have one for each tank that shows purchase dates and sources for all critters, one for all plants with the same info, and notes. I keep a spreadsheet for water testing results, and fert dosages as well one sheet for each tank. In addition I keep a spreadsheet for data specific to any experiments I'm conducting so when I get ready to anylise results I'll have accurate info. In addition to all of that, I have note pads and a calendar for each tank. I Guess being a troubleshooter and problem solver by nature, I am nervous about losing info that may help me down the road some time. on top of all of that I have several hundred articles and e-mails I have saved to file in the event that the internet loses them. I have often thought of just printing them up and putting them in an indexed binder but that would sort of defeat the purpose of owning a good computer. All of my info is stored redundantly in two seperate hard drives as well as backed up on CD. I am required to do this with work information, and the habit spills over to my hobbies also. The scary part of all of this is that I constantly feel like I don't record enough information, and I am well known for having a memory for detail that defies belief. With most things I work directly from memory, and only check my notes and Data when I am questioned or when something doesn't add up for me. Now after having said that I really feel like a Geek.
dave

 

[reiverix]

There are two that I know of now, but both could be better, IMO (Chuck Gadd and Riverix).

What would you like to see added/changed? I'm pretty much finished with the H2Overview program but my fert calc is open to suggestions.