Multi tank Maintenance

bmoraski

bmoraski

Large Fish
#1
Mar 9, 2009
604
2
18
Upstate NY
#1
Hey all
Do those of you with multiple tanks do your vacc and water tests /changes etc. at the same time ? or at least try to LOL
or are you on totally diff schedule ( due to stocking and size etc. ) ??
please ide love some input
Thanks !
 

B

BlueStraggler

Large Fish
#2
Mar 13, 2009
314
0
0
Poconos, PA
#2
when I had mts, I did the wc's on the same day ...just to keep it straight in my head so I would know when everything was done like filter swaps and all that.

If you have like 3 tanks, and do wc and maintenance on different days, that could get confusing after awhile. Ots!

But maybe others have a different opinion on this.
 

bmoraski

bmoraski

Large Fish
#3
Mar 9, 2009
604
2
18
Upstate NY
#3
BlueStraggler said:
when I had mts, I did the wc's on the same day ...just to keep it straight in my head so I would know when everything was done like filter swaps and all that.

If you have like 3 tanks, and do wc and maintenance on different days, that could get confusing after awhile. Ots!

But maybe others have a different opinion on this.
Click to expand...
ya with only 2 i got messed up
i had a little guy floating upside down in my sons tank day before yesterday (no marks or anything just noticed his gills were a little red and of coarse he was floating upside down )
so i immediately grabbed my API kit
NH3 was 0.25
NO2 0
NO3 40-80 !
i freaked
did water change 70 % and of coarse VACUUMED !
he didnt make it (he was eating though so i thought there might be a chance)
did tests again today and
NH3 0-0.25
NO2 0
NO3 10-20
i relized i havent done my sons 10g maintenance in like 2 weeks !!
i was wrapped up in my 20 gal
they are both on same schedule now
water changes, tests and vacuuming and i write everything down !

im thinking of getting bigger tank ( SOMEONE WANTS OUT OF THERE FISH )
not sure of size yet but if the price is right and it dont leak ! LOL

PS
i meant to ask with the red gills and floating upside down does that sound like nitrate poisoning ( sorry for no pictures i wasnt even thinking ) ????
 

Last edited:
midmichman80

midmichman80

Large Fish
#9
May 30, 2008
292
0
0
Midland, MI
#9
My tanks are all on a different schedule. Some are heavily planted, others are not planted as much, but stocked heavier requiring pwc's more often. My two 29g heavily planted tanks are on the same schedule, and my two larger lighter planted tanks are on the same schedule. My 10g is on a totally different schedule though and I find myself doing pwc's several times a month, but seldom three different days in one week. I like the planted tanks they are less demanding than not, IMO.
 

bmoraski

bmoraski

Large Fish
#10
Mar 9, 2009
604
2
18
Upstate NY
#10
midmichman80 said:
My tanks are all on a different schedule. Some are heavily planted, others are not planted as much, but stocked heavier requiring pwc's more often. My two 29g heavily planted tanks are on the same schedule, and my two larger lighter planted tanks are on the same schedule. My 10g is on a totally different schedule though and I find myself doing pwc's several times a month, but seldom three different days in one week. I like the planted tanks they are less demanding than not, IMO.
Click to expand...
Great this is the input i need thank you !
and ya 10 gal are the hardest WThell !!
get 10 gal to start, because you think hey ill start small( LFP staff arent always educated in the arts of fish keeping ) !
LOL
thanks for the reply
i appreciate your time and input
 

K

kristar1982

Large Fish
#11
Nov 27, 2005
112
0
0
#11
midmichman80 said:
My tanks are all on a different schedule. Some are heavily planted, others are not planted as much, but stocked heavier requiring pwc's more often. My two 29g heavily planted tanks are on the same schedule, and my two larger lighter planted tanks are on the same schedule. My 10g is on a totally different schedule though and I find myself doing pwc's several times a month, but seldom three different days in one week. I like the planted tanks they are less demanding than not, IMO.
Click to expand...
Thats a lot to keep track of....Do you keep a log with all that work??
*SUNSMILE*
 

homebunnyj

homebunnyj

Superstar Fish
#12
Jul 13, 2005
1,299
4
0
Western NC
#12
I kept a log when I ran 7 tanks -- 2 55, 2 29, 2 10, and a 20 -- at one time in the past. I did wc's at the same time, but some of the tanks got skipped at certain wc times according to test results and the log book. Logging everything also makes it easier to track possible causes of trouble, because with multiple tanks it's harder to remember which tank had what done when.
 

bmoraski

bmoraski

Large Fish
#13
Mar 9, 2009
604
2
18
Upstate NY
#13
homebunnyj said:
I kept a log when I ran 7 tanks -- 2 55, 2 29, 2 10, and a 20 -- at one time in the past. I did wc's at the same time, but some of the tanks got skipped at certain wc times according to test results and the log book. Logging everything also makes it easier to track possible causes of trouble, because with multiple tanks it's harder to remember which tank had what done when.
Click to expand...
GOD thats a LOT of Maintenance !
7 tanks !
thanks for the input it is greatly appreciated
 

bmoraski

bmoraski

Large Fish
#15
Mar 9, 2009
604
2
18
Upstate NY
#15
homebunnyj said:
Haha... Actually that's small potatoes around here.... We have always had some members with major MTS!! *SUPERSMIL

Plus, it was kinda fun........
Click to expand...
ill admit i like getting home taking care of my other pets and then getting my API test kit out LOL
as i look at my log book i find myself saying how do i find the time (cleaning ,testing etc.) to take care of these 2 tanks but i guess its just another passion now
and i mentioned an additional, bigger tank to the wife and she looked at me and said you sure ? LOL
she sees the work in just the 2 tanks
and thank you homebunnyj for your time and input
thanks to people like you this really is becoming a passion ( just what i need LOL)
 

Lotus

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#16
Aug 26, 2003
15,115
13
38
Southern California
home.earthlink.net
#16
We have 10 to 16 tanks running most of the time, and currently three saltwater tanks among those. We do the water changes once a week, on the same day, on all of them. Most of the freshwater tanks get a 40% or more water change weekly. Because most have been up and running for a couple of years, I don't generally test them often, unless I see a problem. It takes most of the day (about 4 hours minimum) to do all of them, including water changes, plant trimming, algae scraping, etc. Needless to say, we use a Python for the water changes.
 

bmoraski

bmoraski

Large Fish
#17
Mar 9, 2009
604
2
18
Upstate NY
#17
Lotus said:
We have 10 to 16 tanks running most of the time, and currently three saltwater tanks among those. We do the water changes once a week, on the same day, on all of them. Most of the freshwater tanks get a 40% or more water change weekly. Because most have been up and running for a couple of years, I don't generally test them often, unless I see a problem. It takes most of the day (about 4 hours minimum) to do all of them, including water changes, plant trimming, algae scraping, etc. Needless to say, we use a Python for the water changes.
Click to expand...
wow thats A LOT OF TANKS ! LOL
homebunnyj wasnt kidding about multi tanks on this forum
thank you very much for your input
i think it would be to maddening to have 16 tanks on diff schedules
that would be a full time job ! LOL
thanks again
 

brian1973

brian1973

Superstar Fish
#18
Jan 20, 2008
2,001
3
38
Corpus Christi, Texas
#18
I do mine the same day, I probably should keep a log but I dont, I know some of my tanks can go a few weeks without changes but I usually do them anyway. I use a python and for 7 tanks it takes about an hour or 2 depending on if I have to scrape the glass. My planted tanks just get water changes no gravel vac so that makes it quicker.
 

E

emmanuelchavez

Superstar Fish
#19
Feb 22, 2008
1,370
0
0
#19
It takes me about 2-3 hours for my 3 tanks, water changes, and trimming plants. I do them all on the same day. I rarely test them now, however. Every now and then I'll test my nitrates, to see if I should be dosing some, or if my fish are providing enough wastes to create them. All of my tanks are heavily planted, but now that I got rid of most of the weeds that take up most of my time in trimming, it may take me less time. :)

I'm hoping to get a saltwater tank up and running.... sometime in the near future, after the summer.
 

bmoraski

bmoraski

Large Fish
#20
Mar 9, 2009
604
2
18
Upstate NY
#20
brian1973 said:
I do mine the same day, I probably should keep a log but I dont, I know some of my tanks can go a few weeks without changes but I usually do them anyway. I use a python and for 7 tanks it takes about an hour or 2 depending on if I have to scrape the glass. My planted tanks just get water changes no gravel vac so that makes it quicker.
Click to expand...
Sweet !
you guys and gals are great on this forum !
im more comfortable in really jumping in
LOL !!!!
im still researching some prices but im waiting on my brother to let me know about a friend with a 55 gal (he thinks) and the guy want out.
ill keep you all posted
and ill do some pics and what not
thanks Brian
 

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