Marine Reef Keeping posted on November 08, 2006 08:08
Keeping a tank log is something that everyone can do, and it's a simple measure that can be very beneficial. This article will discuss the benefits of a tank log as well as multiple methodologies tailored to the amount of time that a user wishes to devote to it.
A log provides historical data that may indicate trends. As measured parameters change over time, consistent increases or decreases could indicate trouble before it becomes serious. As the occupants of your tank grow, they place different demands on your aquarium. For instance, a consistent drop in calcium and alkalinity occur as stony corals grow from frags to colonies. By monitoring a log of these measurements, supplementation can be adjusted slightly ahead of the tank's needs.
Other trends may indicate problems and potentially their causes. If a particular parameter has been holding steady with little fluctuation, and then a change is noticed, checking the log may lead to a causative event. The ability of this methodology of identifying a cause depends on the level of detail kept in the log, which will be discussed in more detail below. For example, if calcium and alkalinity levels drop, checking the log might reveal that the drop started the same day that new media was put into the calcium reactor, which would lead to investigation into the drip rate and bubble count.
What to Log
The choice of what to log can determine how much work is required to maintain it. There are a lot of things that we as reef keepers measure and observe. Taking time to record these observations and measurements is not burdensome, once a routine is established.
The things kept in a good log fall into three main categories- measurements, observations, and events.
Measurements
Measurements of common tank parameters should be done on a regular basis. Depending on what species are being kept, some measurements take more precedence than others. Additionally, there are some measurements that are performed more often when starting a new tank, and rarely once the tank is mature. Yet other measurements are only performed when problems arise, or in conjunction with dosing for a particular compound.
For hard (stony) corals, particular attention should be paid to parameters such as calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity. If automated supplementation is utilized, testing these parameters is doubly important until the dosing regime has been "dialed in".
When starting a new tank, during the "cycling" phase, frequent testing of ammonia, followed by nitrite, and finally nitrate will be performed. After a tank matures, and a water change schedule is established, testing for nitrate is performed infrequently.
If problems arise with cyanobacteria or green hair algae (GHA), testing for nitrates and phosphates often reveals a problem. If a fish (or fishes) suddenly die, then testing for ammonia and nitrite are a good test to help determine cause..
Lastly, often, measuring some parameters may be coupled with dosing of that same compound- both to prevent overdose and to establish therapeutic dosage. A good example of this is copper in a quarantine tank. Levels must be maintained at a certain level to be effective; yet overdosing can kill fish.
A list of things commonly measured includes: temperature, salinity, ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, phosphate, silicates, and oxidation reduction potential (ORP).
Observations
This category of log entry is a bit more subjective than measurements; the things that a reef keeper notices every day. Fish behavior includes aggression, feeding response, hiding, and scratching, to name a few. Coral behavior could include things like polyp extension, coral coloration, and behaviors such as "reaching" by soft corals such as mushrooms and zoanthids. The important thing with observation is recording the time and date, so that correlations can be made later. For example, after a change in lighting spectrum, some corals may not "reach" as much. Without noting behavior all along, there would be no way to connect the behavior to the event (a change in lighting.)
Events
Events that can be recorded can be anything from equipment changes to additions of livestock. Many things can potentially have an impact on an aquarium, so it is better to err on the side of caution and record as much as possible.
Because doing water changes or adding supplements will affect measurements, it is important to note the date these events occur. Routine maintenance like cleaning a skimmer or replacing bulbs should be noted as well.
Adding or removing livestock can affect the overall condition of a tank. Adding corals that produce certain substances can affect many inhabitants. Adding fish that may have a tendency to nibble on coral polyps, or produce lots of waste may have impacts on the tank.
How to Log
There are different methods of keeping a tank log, from the very simple notepad to spreadsheets, applications, and controllers that log parameters automatically.
Whether the choice is to go simple or complex, the key to successful logging is getting into a schedule. Repetition on a fixed interval will provide results that can be graphed (specifically measurements). Irregular logging can hamper extrapolation of trends.
Notepad
All it really takes to keep a tank log is a pencil and a notepad close to the tank, or wherever measurements are made. Spend a few minutes each day observing the tank, and noting anything out of the ordinary (good or bad.) Keep track of parameters such as temperature, salinity, calcium, and alkalinity and you can accomplish a lot of the advantages set out above.
Spreadsheet
Sometimes it's easier to keep tank log data in a spreadsheet. They provide the advantage of being able to search and sort. Most spreadsheet packages also have graphing capabilities.
Included below are two sample spreadsheets of different complexities.
Dedicated Software
TankLogger is an open source application intended to be installed on a computer running PHP and MySql. It has a very powerful built-in graphing engine. Installation on a windows based box is not for the faint of heart.
Another commercial alternative is Doctor Aquarium which has logging capabilities as well as control.
Dedicated Controller with Logging Capabilities
Both the Neptune Systems line of aquarium controllers and the Premium Aquatics Lighthouse controller have internal data logging that can be graphed.
Summary
There are many advantages to maintaining a tank log. Keeping ahead of the needs of your tank and being able to correlate problems to potential causes are the two most important. Once a schedule for logging observations, measurements, and events is established, tank logging isn't very time consuming. There are automated, very complicated systems for logging tank data, but a simple pencil and notepad are sufficient.