Why do people not have spares?

[porpoiseaquatics]

This is going to sound like a bit of a rant and maybe it is but I'm hoping somebody can help me understand this. I'm reading a lot of threads lately where people are in an emergency situation looking for replacement parts. I just shake my head at these requests. What were you thinking? These are considered critical environments and require their owners to think in that manner. Maybe it's just me and because I deal with this every single day in manufacturing.

I know money is tight for a lot of people. It is for me too but I can't put my entire system at risk over a $20 impeller or even a $200 return pump. Sure if a powerhead goes out, it's not a big deal. Even if you lose a skimmer or reactor, you'll survive for a few days until you can repair or replace. A return pump is vital to the circulation of your tank! Lighting is somewhat critical to the inhabitants. Heating (or cooling) may be a critical element for your tank depending on your own tank's heat load. I keep at least 1 spare unit for everything I consider critical and in some cases 2 pieces. Sure it costs me more up front but it has saved my a$$ more than once and I don't end up in a panic over it. If your funding is that tight, this may not be the hobby for you or maybe you should think about doing it on a smaller scale. I'm willing to bet that every person in this club that has been around for any length of time has at least 1 spare on hand for all of their critical components.

 

[raz0945]

That is why I have bought so many extra pieces of equipment from you! I have had 2 heaters go out in 3 months. Always have extra heaters!:yes:

 

[curtismaximus]

I think it comes down to lack of knowledge and experience. If a dog dies because you don't take care of it you can get fined or even arrested. If a fish dies we flush it down the toilet.

However I don't completely agree with the attitude that if you can't afford two of everything this isn't the hobby for you. It all comes down to priorities. Everyone is in a different situation. People loose jobs, people get laid off, some people get into the hobby without doing proper research. Everybody is different. You have to be open to the idea that everyone is in this hobby for different reasons as well. Some just want to try it out, some make it a life long pursuit for perfection. Everyone is different.

I think insted of getting upset it is best to try and help people understand why they need these backups. Knowledge is the best answer here. Not anger or frustration because they are different than you.

 

[grouper therapy]

Curtismaximus;890208 wrote: I think it comes down to lack of knowledge and experience. If a dog dies because you don't take care of it you can get fined or even arrested. If a fish dies we flush it down the toilet.

However I don't completely agree with the attitude that if you can't afford two of everything this isn't the hobby for you. It all comes down to priorities. Everyone is in a different situation. People loose jobs, people get laid off, some people get into the hobby without doing proper research. Everybody is different. You have to be open to the idea that everyone is in this hobby for different reasons as well. Some just want to try it out, some make it a life long pursuit for perfection. Everyone is different.

I think insted of getting upset it is best to try and help people understand why they need these backups. Knowledge is the best answer here. Not anger or frustration because they are different than you.

That is not what Jeff said. He made the point that if someone can't afford to buy redundant CRITICAL pieces of equipment in order to act in a RESPONSIBLE WAY and keep their livestock alive then maybe they should review their priorities. The reasons someone is in the hobby is irrelevant. I would be glad to explain to people what and why they may need backup. They should be responsible enough to ask the question if they are taking on the responsibility of living creatures. That responsibility belongs to the one who takes it on not me or you or Jeff. Your statement that everyone is different is true but excuses nothing.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

grouper therapy;890225 wrote: That is not what Jeff said. He made the point that if someone can't afford to buy redundant CRITICAL pieces of equipment in order to act in a RESPONSIBLE WAY and keep their livestock alive then maybe they should review their priorities. The reasons someone is in the hobby is irrelevant. I would be glad to explain to people what and why they may need backup. They should be responsible enough to ask the question if they are taking on the responsibility of living creatures. That responsibility belongs to the one who takes it on not me or you or Jeff. Your statement that everyone is different is true but excuses nothing.

David...you are exactly correct and restated my point very well.

I completely understand money issues and having to make choices between one thing and another. When that happens, the hobby always loses out and I'm not saying that's wrong...not at all. What I am saying is you need to be aware of the needs of this hobby before you jump in. This is why, when I'm out shopping and I hear somebody that is obviously new to the hobby, I do two things: 1) ask them several questions about what their perception of the hobby is and 2) point them to this website and group of knowledgeable people. When I started in the hobby back in the late 80's I knew nothing and didn't have a support group to go to so I had to read and learn from the school of hard knocks. It was an expensive school to attend. I don't want people to go in blind, get discouraged and then just quite. I take the hobby very seriously (as should anybody) and care deeply about the inhabitants entrusted to my care.

 

[tngyen813]

I had a extra skimmer that's was sitting for a few weeks without use so I listed for sale, well when I got home that day my new skimmer crapped out on me. Glad I had a spare!

 

[acroholic]

Some of it may be that those that don't keep spares haven't had anything bad happen, yet! Spare heaters are a must in the winter (not so much in the summer).

If you have multiple powerheads/Vortechs/Tunzes/WP whatevers in the tank, then you are probably OK not to have spares. I keep a spare MP60 around just to have replacement wet or dry sides or controller components if needed. I don't have any spare halide bulbs, but when I do my first Radium change over my 465, I will keep one or two of the old bulbs as spares just in case.

I think one of the most important things to have on hand, however, is a spare return pump if you have a sump. Now, I keep a spare Hammerhead/Barracuda Hybrid pump in the basement, which is my primary return pump, but this thing could have a bad seal, as most of the new ones do. And for me, this is not an ultra easy swap out. There are lots of pieces of other equipment to move or transfer before any swap is made.

So what I do and would recommend for anyone with a sump is to have a simple submersible mag type pump, like a Mag-Drive or Quiet one, etc, with a ball valve hooked to the output, and then a barbed fitting with a few feet of vinyl hose on it, with the other end attached to a hang on the back type return like what comes on an Eheim canister, Magnum Canister, or one made out of PVC or whatever.

Then if your return pump goes out, you just put the submersible in your return section and the end over the back of your reef, and you have an instant, install in a few seconds return pump replacement so you can still use your sump and all the equipment in it. Your reef can limp along with that indefinitely as long as you have in tank water circulation until you get the return pump fixed.

I keep a small Mag 3 and a Mag 1200 on hand for my 100 and 465 tanks.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

David...that's great advice!

 

[jdavid]

Money is super tight for me but if you don't have a few spare heaters, spare lights, and at least SOMETHING for flow/oxygen, you are crazy. You kind of need a spare a spare tank too.

To take it one step further.. we all need generators/battery backups too! This is something that is always on my mind. When I get a nice chunk of change, I'm investing for sure.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Josh...that's another good point. I have two generators here. One small one just for the tank and one larger one to run a light or two and the refrigerator if need be. They aren't that expensive when you compare them to the total cost of livestock in a tank...even a small tank.

 

[kirkwood]

Yup. Having a mag 7 on hand would pretty much be enough for most people to run as a temporary return and they are always around used for 50. Def worth it when your livestock is likely worth 20 - 40x that.

Another good thing to so is to model your system after a commercial building. Large office buildings don't have a single boiler or chiller to heat and cool, but instead have multiple units so that if one goes down the building can still function. If a building has 2 chillers each may be sized at 50% capacity. This a good idea for your tank heaters. Get 2 smaller units instead of 1 big one.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Certainly true on tank heaters. Everything you read says don't get 1-300w unit but instead get 3-100w units. If one sticks open, then you aren't likely to fry everything in the tank. I keep two in the sump and have 2 or 3 backup units just waiting.

 

[grouper therapy]

You are right guys . It doesn't have to be a exact replica just a get by. If you can't afford a generator consider a power inverter and a cheap pump.

 

[ralph atl]

agreed....(every once so often though, sift through a declutter....)

 

[jdavid]

I wonder if an inverter would even work with a portable jump starter. I have one with a "cigarette lighter" receptacle

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

grouper therapy;890295 wrote: You are right guys . It doesn't have to be a exact replica just a get by. If you can't afford a generator consider a power inverter and a cheap pump.

This is a very good point.

 

[saltbubbles]

I agree with you guys and for the most part it is just common sense. It is better to spend money wisely ahead f time than to spend it twice. Once on a temporary fix and then on a proper replacement.

 

[acroholic]

JDavid;890271 wrote: Money is super tight for me but if you don't have a few spare heaters, spare lights, and at least SOMETHING for flow/oxygen, you are crazy. You kind of need a spare a spare tank too.

To take it one step further.. we all need generators/battery backups too! This is something that is always on my mind. When I get a nice chunk of change, I'm investing for sure.

I do this for my Vortech pumps. I have a Battery Backup for each for two of the MP60s on the big tank, and one for the MP40 on my 100 gallon.

 

[containerman1]

And I thought I was just OCD having extra mag 9 pump, heaters, cooling fans, extension cords ,
power strips, power heads , lights , Duck tape : )

 

[acroholic]

containerman1;890361 wrote: And I thought I was just OCD having extra mag 9 pump, heaters, cooling fans, extension cords ,
power strips, power heads , lights , Duck tape : )

No, some of us are even sicker than you, hehehe!