[jporlier]

Everything i have read tells me to keep a log book. I see the sense in this and plan on having one from day one. What are some things i should include in my log book? Would it work better as a "Chart" where i have columns on the pages with specific data for each column or is it easier to simply log the date and time and results i am recording. I.e. parameters, fish behavior, feedings, new additions etc...

Anyone with a functional log book care to shed some light on this topic for me?

[Arnold40]

I have an excel spreadsheet to log my water parameters so I can put that info into a chart and see trends that develop. You can also include a column for when you added fish, water changes, tank maintenance etc... It all depends on how much info you want to look at and what is important to you.

[unclejed]

Hello, some things are going to be more worth recording than others. At first you want to keep track of water parameters (water temp, salinity, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, PH and nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and ammonia). These should be checked at least twice a week. After the cycle is complete, once every week or so. Record the time and date as this will let you see any fluctuations and give you an idea of how much and what is being used up i.e. calc, alk and mag. This is a start, you can graph or chart the info on your computer if you don't want to thumb through pages in a note book. After you have an established aquarium and if you want to keep corals, the alk, calc and mag must be maintained at the levels closest to the ocean as possible and so monitoring their levels will have to be done 2-3 times a week. Hope this gets you on your way!

[jporlier]

Excellent advice. Don't have Excel on my PC, but just bought a nice logbook and have no problem thumbing through it.

[Arnold40]

you might have microsoft works which can accomplish the same tasks as excel.

[czarkasm]

Try reefcon. They have a free version you can try out.

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