Pilots with reef tanks!

[dontbuyxenia]

Hey everyone. Im pondering the idea of a career change to become a pilot. I have a bunch of friends that do it and the pay and work-life balance is unbeatable. The only problem is I love aquariums and have had reef tanks for years, and am afraid that the scheduling would make it hard to keep the tank looking good. I know there are ways around it, but I'd love to see some tanks that y'all have where your gone a lot of the time. Thanks

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

While your working on your ATP cert and then the regional air life & reserve life once you go mainline you already know life is a grind as you have friends in the industry. Once you have seniority, tank automation is your friend while your working a sequence.

I'm in the industry (under wing) and usually travel 10-14 days @ a time about 6-10 times a year.

 

[FLPilot3190]

I fly the A320 for a US carrier. Currently based in JFK but commute from Tampa. I voluntarily bid reserve so I can sit at home and get paid. Since October 1st I’ve worked 8 days and spent 7 nights either in my crash pad or in a hotel.

The biggest hurdle with having a tank as a pilot will be when you spend 6+ weeks at the training center as a new hire. Aside from that, if you’re doing the standard 1-4 day trips then maintaining a tank is rather simple. Automation is your friend. Automate everything you can and everything should run smoothly. The only task my wife has to complete while I’m gone on a trip is to feed the fish.

Feel free to pm with any airline/flight training questions!

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I fly the A320 for a US carrier. Currently based in JFK but commute from Tampa. I voluntarily bid reserve so I can sit at home and get paid. Since October 1st I’ve worked 8 days and spent 7 nights either in my crash pad or in a hotel.

The biggest hurdle with having a tank as a pilot will be when you spend 6+ weeks at the training center as a new hire. Aside from that, if you’re doing the standard 1-4 day trips then maintaining a tank is rather simple. Automation is your friend. Automate everything you can and everything should run smoothly. The only task my wife has to complete while I’m gone on a trip is to feed the fish.

Feel free to pm with any airline/flight training questions!

This.

@FLPilot3190, JFK base & 320 driver screams B6?

 

[FLPilot3190]

This.

@FLPilot3190, JFK base & 320 driver screams B6?

You’re good! MCO would be a better commute for me but my seniority would tank… so I’ll continue to stick it out in JFK. positive space to/from work helps a ton though!

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

You’re good! MCO would be a better commute for me but my seniority would tank… so I’ll continue to stick it out in JFK. positive space to/from work helps a ton though!

Between uncle sam and a few (some non existent) airlines, I've been in the civilian side of biz for 25 years and just over 30 total.

I'm a acmx instructor for a legacy carrier, I have stick time but no ATP cert.

Crazy that JFK isn't a 'high' seniority station (ours is due to legacy long haul), but that cheap FL COL makes sense that MCO is high seniority.

 

[vlangel]

My tank is an extremely low maintenance tank. By design it is high nutrient to feed the soft coral, some LPS and predominantly macroalgae. I did a huge motorcycle trip, (23 days) where I had a flake auto feeder that gave the fish food once a day. I did have the tank given frozen food 2Xs a week by family members and add water to the 1 gallon auto top off reservoir. Its not a tank for everyone but I love it.

 

[GregKarr09]

It’s definitely doable. I’m an airline pilot is Los Angeles. I used to have a Red Sea reefer 170 nano SPS dominant on complete auto pilot with auto testers, this upgraded 200 gallon system doesn’t have the auto tester but everything else is remotely accessible. Running the hydros and having a big ato.

 

[vlangel]

It’s definitely doable. I’m an airline pilot is Los Angeles. I used to have a Red Sea reefer 170 nano SPS dominant on complete auto pilot with auto testers, this upgraded 200 gallon system doesn’t have the auto tester but everything else is remotely accessible. Running the hydros and having a big ato.

Kudos to you as I can't keep beautiful SPS even as a retired person who is home most of the time! LOL Your tank is gorgeous .