Lutz Tank Has Been Removed

Munchie1976 · Sep 22, 2014

Hello everyone.

It is with great dismay that we need to report that the Lutz Tank has been removed from the museum. Chris received a phone call about a week and a half ago that it either needed better maintenance or needed to be removed. The BOD voted to remove the tank.

The tank has been an object of discussion (usually heated discussions) for many years now. Because CTARS has never been able to maintain the tank on at least a weekly basis or install a tank that is pretty much maintenance free, the tank has, for the most part, been an embarrassment to the CTARS name.

As everyone is aware, Ron has been maintaining the tank since 2013 pretty much on his own. He used his own money for equipment and salt for some time and got to the tank when he could. However, only one person with two jobs, a child and planning a wedding can only do so much. When removing the tank came up, Ron was very disheartened to hear that we felt it best to take it out.

Last night after the meeting, the tank was removed. The Board thanks Emery & Jas and his son for staying late with Chris and I while we took on this project in the dark. Every piece of equipment and livestock was documented as the removal took place.

Originally the Lutz was going to place another donated animal in the location of the tank and we were going to auction the tank and equipment in the coming weeks. However, Kate personally came in to see Chris yesterday before the meeting after speaking with him for some time over the phone. They would still like the tank there but, a better setup with a tank that is more self maintained is needed/wanted.

We plan to attempt the re-install of the tank by the end of November. A number of donations will be needed in order to make this project work this time.

Right now, a new stand and hood is being made and the current equipment will be cleaned up and assessed if it can still be used. (for example: the skimmer in the tank was not working and when removed we found it was severely cracked)

Please contact Chris by telephone or email if you would like to help or would like to donate.

On a final note...please keep this thread clean of any really strong personal opinions/criticisms. Again, emails and phone calls work best in this type of situation and we are all here to hear you out.

Red88rick · Sep 22, 2014

during the tear down did you find my little plastic "betta keeper" container Not really that big of a deal it was only like $5 but the girl at the desk told me she would save it for me. (wish I brought a throw away container)

Munchie1976 · Sep 22, 2014

Red88rick said:
during the tear down did you find my little plastic "betta keeper" container Not really that big of a deal it was only like $5 but the girl at the desk told me she would save it for me. (wish I brought a throw away container)

No, sorry

I would call and ask for Kate, she might know.

Blitzie · Sep 22, 2014

A tank in your own home is tough enough to keep up with never mind one at a remote location.

Many thanks to Ron for having done what he did for as long as he did. If this is truly a CTARS sponsored tank there is no reason he should of ever had to foot the bill himself for any of it.

Thanks to all of you who had to do the teardown.

Triggreef · Sep 22, 2014

Blitzie said:
A tank in your own home is tough enough to keep up with never mind one at a remote location.

Many thanks to Ron for having done what he did for as long as he did. If this is truly a CTARS sponsored tank there is no reason he should of ever had to foot the bill himself for any of it.

Thanks to all of you who had to do the teardown.

Well said. I think more thought needs to go into this in regard to your first sentence. I have a whole bunch of suggestions. I'm hoping I'm not wasting my time putting my thoughts out there, but here goes... I'm going to post them later when I can organize my thoughts.

Blitzie · Sep 23, 2014

I have some ideas as well

Triggreef · Sep 24, 2014

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]AsBlitzie pointed out, its hard enough to maintain a tank in your ownhome. So why would you set it up like a tank that is in your ownhome?[/FONT] This really needs to bethought out well, as far as ways to cut back maintenance. I haveseveral suggestions here. Things that have worked for me, since I ama very lazy reefer and I'm constantly trying to find ways toeliminate maintenance.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]Problem:No one has time to go there to do much of anything.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]Ithink that if we can come up with 4 devoted members to take care ofthis tank once its going again, it would make a world of difference.I say 4 because that would basically force each guy to show up once amonth. I also think it is a sustainable number of members that wouldbe willing to donate their time. It would also allow for more thanone person to understand the tank and spread out the maintenance intosomething that is accomplish-able and easy for all involved. One guygoes the 1st of every month, another goes the 9th, another goes the17th, and another the 25th. Keep it at least a day or 2 either way,and you still have a very good schedule. I would be more than willingto get there once a month for routine testing/maintenance.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]Problem:Bio-load too heavy for what the club can handle.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]Thereis NOT a ton of fish. I'm not saying there is/was too many. Yet thebio-load was still too heavy. I think that some extra thought putinto the fish selection could go a long way. With a strong need tolimit the bio-load, fish need to be selected on a basis as far aswhat jobs they can perform and how hardy they are. IMO damsels andchromis and clowns are a complete waste of space in that they serveno job function.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]WhatI would stock it with and why:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]Copperbandbutterly; for aptasia control. On a tank when multiple donations comein there will surely be some aptasia coming in from somewhere. Alsojust a great looking fish.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]Yelloweye Kole tang; algae control.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]Greencoris wrasse and or melanurus or other. For the control of manydifferent pests. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]Apair of diamond gobies or other sand sifter, to keep the sand lookinggood and fresh. Also a few conch's would be a great benefit.[/FONT]

If something is needed forflash/movement, perhaps a few tank breed neon cleaner gobies.

Problem: No diversity.

We need to get some self renewing cleanup crews in there. Micro brittles, stomatella snails, limpets... alsoneed at least a couple turbos. I can help with all that when the timecomes.

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Problem:Lights.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Thelights that are on the tank should work well. I personally brought mypar meter to the Lutz and took readings. I don't recall what theywere now, but I do remember them being pretty good. The problem, andI'm speculating here, I believe they are on too long. I'm looking atthe tank on a Sunday at 6:45 PM and they are on. Why? The lutz closesat 5 PM thats when the lights should go off. If they go off at 5,then they should not turn on until about 930 AM. Thats 7.5 hours aday. I don't care how high your po4 or nitrates are, if you maintaina max of 7.5 hours a day, you will have no algae in your display.Which leads me to my next item.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Problem:Fuge.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Thefuge is just too small. There needs to be a good area designated tothis. It's arguably the most important part of the system. It alsoneeds a better light, and should be on constantly IMO. Multiple macroalgaes should be in there, don't get stuck on cheato. Which alsoleads to my next suggestion.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Problem:Skimmer[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Asidefrom it being cracked and broken, is that its killing the tank evenif it was working proper. Think about this: What is the single mosthighly maintained equipment item on your own personal tank? I wouldbet that 90% of you would answer that as your skimmer. So let's getrid of it! Even if it were functioning normally and doing it's jobcorrectly, the skimmer is still pulling out beneficial elements andamino acids etc that are not being replaced because regular waterchanges are probably just not happening on this tank. There is no 2part dosing (That I know of) or calcium reactor (that I know of). Iwant to bring up another option that is much less maintenanceorientated... A Denitrator. Theres no collection cup that needs tobe emptied, or cleaned ever. Literally all you have to do is inject4ml vinegar into it once a week. Adjust the effluent (return, as inthe flow rate) as needed. On mine I do that maybe once a month ifeven. Seriously one tiny pump pumps water into the canister, and thereturn goes back to the sump at a steady drip. Effluent is adjustedby a ball valve. [/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Thatoption will also get the skimmer out of the sump, and gonealtogether. Increasing the usable space for the refuge area. Theother benefit to this, is that the denitrator removes po4 and nitrateonly. Your not losing anything beneficial that a skimmer would beremoving. I believe that will also help the Alk and Ca stay morestable, eliminating the need for a dosing system or Ca reactor aslong as there's not a huge consumption ofhem, those items which Idoubt there ever would be on this tank.[/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]Disclaimer:I don't know squat about skimmers so if I said something wrong aboutskimmers, strike the comment...[/FONT]

Problem: ATO.

Probably the most beneficial thing wecan do. I'm unsure if there was something in place already but thereneeds to be if there wasn't. Enough said on that.

Corals: We should be able to get thistank well enough to sustain even some easier sps, but theres noreason to put sps in there. As a club we really should be able todonate some things we are over populated on. Lets get some zoas andpalys in there, some shrooms, Maybe some LPS. Hardy stuff with colorthat can manage a little alk swing here and there, because that mighthappen.

I went ahead and asked the owner ofaquaripure dot com if he would be willing to donate a size smallaquaripure denitrator to the Lutz tank, perhaps in trade of being anofficial sponsor. I figured it could be worth a shot. I use the sizesmall on my system with I estimate 270g of total water. And for theskeptics I'll take the opportunity to post a full tank shot I tooklast night of my skimmerless aquaripure denitrator tank... Check outthe bio load. Count the fish you can see. There's a lot more youcan't see!

Triggreef · Sep 24, 2014

Side note... I know where the space button is, for some reason when I copy pasted this over here, it got rid of a whole bunch of spaces through out my typing. Sorry but I'm not fixing it.

captc07 · Sep 24, 2014

Dave you have some great ideas!
I agree that there should be a Lutz Tank "Committe" that shares the responsiblity of keeping up the tank. In addition to that, I think that there should be an allocated budget set aside for the funding of that committee. On the stocking issue...I agree that funciton should be taken into account, with that said...you have to include clownfish. Whether or not they serve a cleanup function...they serve a more important function, which is they grab the childrens attention. And isn't that really the point of this tank? Even if it makes us cringe when we hear "NEMO!!!!" clownfish are very recognizable to children and they love seeing them. I agree on the lighting issue, I would even say that perhaps seeing as the Lutz is closed on Mondays to have that as a complete dark day. I have no experience or knowledge with denitrators, so I can't add much to that conversation, but a skimmer with a neck cleaner and skimmate collector would make a skimmer more functional with only a trip a week to clean. Completely agree on a large fuge, with the abundance of feeding that is inevitable with that tank we need to have a good amount of macro to help with the nutrient export. Look forward to hearing other's ideas as well.

Red88rick · Sep 24, 2014

How about a little more info on how to help. I mean I would have helped but when I said I would seems like no one took me seriously. Mayb have the lutz know when and who is coming. I dropped off a coral for them before and the girl at the desk would not let me back to the tank. Had me wait for their "animal specialist" who was on lunch and said she would have her put it in the tank when she's back and walked off.

captc07 · Sep 24, 2014

I agree that whomever volunteers for the lutz crew should be introduced to the staff at the Lutz so that they have the necessary access to work on the tank. As for the additions of corals/fish, I think that in order to monitor the tank properly a member of the "crew" should be there for any additions. That way there is always a one person who regularly works on the tank that knows when something is added.

Triggreef · Sep 24, 2014

Rick, I agree it hasn't been easy to help. I offered a few times as well & never really got a response. I know I can get there once a month, even if I have to lug water there or whatever. I can make that happen. But it has to be organized & planned out. Being able to go in an emergency situation like Ron has posted in the past, is a different story. Everyone has a million things going on & I don't know of anyone that can simply drop what they are doing & head out to the lutz for an overflowing skimmer or something at the drop of a hat. But I think that's another thing that needs to be thought out as well. Perhaps have a paid service provider familiar with the set up who can respond in an emergency when there is no club member available?

On another note, I forgot to mention, I would be willing to properly quarantine the fish for the lutz tank prior to getting the tank going. I've done well with quarantining in the past, & I'm no longer adding fish to my own tanks, so I have the equipment to do it. I actually kind of enjoy doing it.

Jaycalwholesale · Sep 24, 2014

Hi names carlos I just went to my first meeting last weekend I live in east hartford and I don't have a problem taking care of the tank I can stop by at lest once a week but I can't fork the money for salt as times are kind of hard

Jaycalwholesale · Sep 24, 2014

Also I can setup the tank too or help what ever is best

Masedaddy · Sep 24, 2014

I like the idea of a Lutz Tank Committee. It sounds like a great idea, many hands make light work..... I like the idea of a denitrator as well. I have no experience with them but from what Dave said they seem to work pretty easily. I would also like to add that we package up food for the daily feedings. That way the person doing the feeding knows exactly what to add and no more/ no less. I also think the lighting time revision would be a good idea too. There is no need for the lights to be on after the place closes. I over an hour away but if there needs to be an alternate or two (In case the main committee are not able to make it) for tank maintenance I could be on the list. I wish these things were brought up before the tank was taken down but no use in crying over spilled milk. Let's get this thing going with a better system, if that is the consensus. I also like the idea of an AIO tank as well. Warren brought up the fact that an AIO tank needs a good ATO. I think we can make that happen if we go that route. I know AutoTopOff.com has many options available and on the cheap as well. LMK what you guys come up with then lets present it to the board for approval.

Munchie1976 · Sep 25, 2014

Just a quick note....

We have had a Lutz Tank Committee all year. Ron is/was the head of this committee. We announced it at several meetings as well as asked for help and members to join him.

As for everyone's suggestions...they are wonderful and we are keeping note. Please call Chris if you would like to thoroughly discuss anything (including all your ideas) or help with the next build!

Triggreef · Sep 25, 2014

Here is the response I got back from the aquaripure guy for those interested:
Hello Dave,

I really would like to help you guys out and donate a filter.

Unfortunately, business has been so terrible for the past year and a half that I am looking for full time employment so i can shut down Aquaripure.

If that happens and I get a job perhaps I can send you one of my last filters.

Please let me know if I may be of further assistance.

Kind Regards,

John Strawn
Aquaripure, LLC
Aquaripure

RWinfrey · Sep 25, 2014

This is the real world for a lot of these people that we get raffle prizes from... Many work full time and do this on the side.....so please when you see the raffle table at CMAC thank these vendors. By buying there products and supporting the club.....