Do you keep track of your aquarium additions, changes, maintenance, etc. with an aquarium log? If so, what do you use? A notebook, software, something online?

I have an excel spreadsheet, and I use an online one created by a fellow N-Rer. I forgot his name though

i did during my cycle, but that ended as soon as my cycle did

i keep a log of every reef tank (fowlr's don't count ).

i use lotus organizer/planner and just type in various "appointments" and recurring events, whether they're daily, weekly, monthly or custom (e.g. bulb replacements).

i print it out into a calendar form and just clip it. sometimes i have to "catchup" if i ignore a tank for a couple of days or a week. but they're good reminders of what i need to do or have done. invaluable information imo.

even a freebie calendar is good for jotting down notes and what-not's. you don;t have to be meticulous imo.

I use the Notepad included with Windows. I'm a software engineer I just haven't had time to throw something together. Eventually I will, and I'll post a link so anyone who wants it, can use it.

This one danskim? http://www.stugotz.net/log/index.cfm

Yeah, i used a calander first, then the Aquarium Journal marine edition thing. I like how it is organized.

For those of you that use Mac OSX, here is a great app/log:
http://www.everydaysoftware.net/maquarium/

"Maquarium is aquarium management software for the novice or expert fish keeper. It allows users to track chemicals, schedule tasks, keep notes, analyze expenses and manage inventory. Maquarium features a built-in database that contains information which helps you track and maintain the delicate needs of each fish, plant, coral and invertebrate in the tank. Furthermore, Maquarium helps the novice by warning of dangerously high chemical values and the recommended course of treatment. It also allows experts to set up custom warning values. Maquarium is a must have for all fish hobbyists."

I did but I couldn't keep up with it =P

No, and I don't keep a log in my tank either. Come to think of it, I haven't even tested for anything other than SG in over 6 months!

Tried to keep log, but it comes to either log, either reef keeping; no time for both.
Used TreePad freeware, another software that allows pictures but no node names, other than dates, is Advanced Diary. Now I'm writting down what was added in paper calendar, tests results - in the small notepad, puchases receipts go onto paperclip under the shelf.
Quote: 'I haven't even tested for anything other than SG in over 6 months!'
Be a good fellow: make the post at Beginners forum, share experience how to do that with those unfortunates who are still fighting for the reef survival.

I have not in the past - but I can see from logs that others have kept how it would be nice to compare before & afters... I am going to keep one on my new nano sps

A big 3-ring binder. Has a log section plus various sections that hold instruction manuals, receipts, box sides with equipment specs on them, hard copies of SW articles, etc. Sometimes the log's pretty regular (esp. if something exciting's going on) but usually it's just a note jotted now & then...upper left in this pic:



Love those notebooks that let you slip a picture down into the covers!

(That shot came from this old thread
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...t=0#entry708408 )

Once I realized my digi pics have screen notes with dates on them, I've gotten REALLY lazy. I just make sure to photograph each new addition and then I have a record of when I got it stored right with the pics. This doesn't work with things like H2O params, of course...

But the notebook's very handy. Just tonight I went to it to get the specs on the kind of replacement bulb I need to order for my hood...

--Diane

Just started one now!

mine looks like this in a simple notepad document

1-19-08

AFTERNOON
NH3 0.5
NO2 0.2
NO3 5.0

1-20-08

MORNING
NH3 1.0
NO2 0.5
NO3 20

MIDDAY
NH3 .25
NO2 0.5
NO3 20

EVENING
NH3 0.5
NO2 0.5
NO3 20

1-21-08

MIDDAY
NH3 .25
NO2 0.5
NO3 20

EVENING
NH3 .25
NO2 0.2
NO3 20

1-22-08

MORNING
NH3 .25
NO2 0.2
NO3 10

EVENING
NH3 .25
NO2 0.2
NO3 10

1-23-08

MORNING
NH3 0.15-0.20
NO2 0.2
NO3 10

1-24-08

NOON
NH3 .10
NO2 0.1
NO3 5.0

1-25-08

NOON
NH3 .10
NO2 0.1
NO3 5.0

1-26-08

NOON
NH3 .25
NO2 0.1
NO3 10

10 GALLON CHANGE

EVENING
NH3 .25
NO2 0.1
NO3 10

1-27-08

NOON
NH3 .25
NO2 0.1
NO3 10

I do, but I don't record things like water params or when I last topped off or whatever. Just not that organized. While purchasing everything I kept track of each item and how much it cost. I also track when a light bulb went into service so I know when to change it.

I also track any new livestock and when I feel like it I record the date of any loses.

I use a freeware program called ReefCon2000 for this purpose. Google on it and you will get a link to download it if you like.

I keep a log on my head.

Yes....on excel

I use Reefcon 2000. It's free. With 2, soon to be 3 tanks, some kind of journal is a must!

Yup, Excell is very good for it. I keep track of water parameters (when I feel like tsting them), water changes, any dosing I may do, and other odds and ends like light bulb changes, additions/removals of coral frags/livestock

It added to the fun when I first started plus it is helpful if youhave a bad memory.

Yeah - and I log everyting I've killed in it. Before going to the LFS I make sure to review the damage I've done - It help keeps new purchases to a minimum.

I dont use a log, but I do use Current USA's Nano Planner... http://current-usa.com/nanoplanner.html

It is cool for me because I just have a simple 12g AP and it reminds me to do everything.

These are the 16 tasks you can set:

-Check Water Chemistry
-Add Medication
-Top Off Water
-Add Calcium
-Add Supplements
-Change Carbon
-Change Water
-Change Filter Cartridge
-Change Phosphate Remover
-Change Chemical Media
-Check Supplies
-Change Fluorescent Lamps
-Change Compact Fluorescents
-Change UV Lamp
-Change Metal Halide Lamps
-Reset Timers

You can change the display to only show the tasks that you want to use and when the task is completed, you just click the check mark next to the task and it automatically resets the date to the interval that you set it at.

Jesse

i used to use that but then it scrwed up my computer!

Yup!

GOD I love my mac right now !

Thanks for posting !

I use Open Office Org - the Ubuntu equivalent of Excel...

it couln't hurt to keep a journal of somesort, the one for the MAC OS is awesome, my friend has it

i keep a log on speciments, bulb changes, problems, and water parameters on a biweekly (or so) basis.

I dont include daily top off or chemical dosing since this is not important me.
Just the gear maintenance, everything else relies on experience

use reefcon 2000 for everything.

Nope never have, but I kind of wished I did. I dont test water very often, so there is little point in it for me I guess.

Yes!!! In my own OCD way.....I have a folder with dividers and everything. Keeps stats on everything. Pockets in folder for brochures, info with products I buy. As well as water changes, livestock, dosing, info on dips etc...

And it all has to be in the same color pen......ooops TMI!!

I just started but I keep a log for when to add supplements/trace elements, when to change water, concentrations of nitrates, salinity, and any other updates I do to my tank. I use google calendars from gmail to log all the information. It's pretty efficient to show you what happened or what you need to do to your tank every month. You can color code too, which is awesome!

Yes.

This:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~cat...ory~FIBKMZ.html

I wish I had found this before I wrote an application to manage and track my tank. On the other hand, I wish I had not seen some of the suggestions in prior posts. Now I have more ideas for my application. More work. Oh well.

Yes. I have two nano reefs and I keep records for both.

The first one is a 15gal long softie tank that is my "main" tank. I have a dedicated, nice little
logbook that I jot everything down into. I even keep species spec pages in it, along with
water change logs and parameter logs.

The second one is a 6gal long tank that is known around the house by the name
"Tank of DOOM". Basically anything questionable and possibly dangerous and
unwanted goes into this tank, instead of down the toilet. It's a cut-throat tank. First resident besides extra sand and a few pieces of live rock rubble was a GPS eating Nudibranch. Current recently added residents are Vicious long-snouted snail-eating snails, valonia, brysis algae, lots of majanos, etc etc. It's actually a fun tank, and I jot everything down in a dollar-store notebook.

i do i used what steive uses which is reefcon. simple and free and works good.

going to give this one a try, seeing as how I have nothing else to do while my tank cycles...

ANY IPHONE APPS?
TGICLF

AquaStatix

I use to keep a photo log. I would take a weekly FTS. It was a great way to track growth of lack there of.

I use evernote www.evernote.com. They also have a iphone app.

google calendar. can access from my cell or my house with reminders if certain things are needed. IE water changes, 12 month bulb change cycles, feeding of pellet and frozen and on what days, pump maintenance/cleaning.

I kept a log when my original nanocube was first setup, but then just became a hassle. Now I test weekly before my wc or when there are visible signs of a change in water quality. I also found that testing and logging daily caused me to micromanage and overcorrect. Dripping kalk and alk has also kept my parameters fairly stable.

Will start with weekly FTS when the new tank is set up.

Used a notebook but liking Maquarium- looks like it hasn't been updated for a while
so I'm looking at aquastatix now.

aquastatix

i simply use an Excel Spreadsheet...but im also use to Excel since im in a Chemical Entomologist

Nope, It is just one more thing to do. My tank is in my room so I see it all the time, and do weekly water changes. If I see something out of the ordinary, I then mess with it. Because, the more I mess with the tank the more that goes wrong.

Since day one