What if I get laid-off

[purge43]

Ok its not nice to think about but the economy is kinda weird lately. Im not expecting it but it is posible that I could get laid off or get hurt and not be able to work. So lets just say I get laid off and have to cut back on some things. I have enough salt to last a couple years worth of water changes, the light bulbs arent too expensive and I have three sets for replacments ( another couple years supply), the food for the fish is pretty cheap and the food for the corals isnt too bad. What Im concerned about is the two part dosing. I just "discovered" bulk reef supply and the cost will still be significant for the alk cal and mag for a 125 g reef. Im wondering what will happen to my sps's and lps's if I have to lower my cal alk and mag levels. Most of these discussions talk about keeping our levels at a certain point to maintain continued growth. Are these levels also required just to sustain them and keep them alive? or will the growth stop and will they still be healthy? or will everything die if my mag alk or cal goes low? or how low can they go?

 

[CichlidMan@<3]

I've had a lower level of cal and mag for a little while now. Everything is still alive, just no growth. I recently started supplementing again and I already see new growth.

 

[JeremiahChua]

Growth slows down to a minimum, anything too drastic will slowly degrade them to the grave. In the case that the worst possible scenario does arrive on your doorstep (getting laid off), just sell some frags here and there. That should be enough to sustain your cal/alk/mg dosing at "suggested" levels.

 

[thewire]

i just starting the whole dosing thing...you can try ATO kalkwasser + mag?

 

[buy_baff]

If this did happen just sell frags to fund tank supplies.

 

[Froggy]

I use Arm and Hammer baking soda, Prestone driveway heat, and epsom salts.
$20 will last the year on my 120. Cant get much more economical than that.:thumbsup:

 

[mrstihl]

Trim them so far back that they don't consume as much. You will also want to consider that electricity is a major part of the maintnence costs.

 

[Reefer08]

I use Arm and Hammer baking soda, Prestone driveway heat, and epsom salts.
$20 will last the year on my 120. Cant get much more economical than that.:thumbsup:

+1 to this.

 

[ihavtats29]

I use Arm and Hammer baking soda, Prestone driveway heat, and epsom salts.
$20 will last the year on my 120. Cant get much more economical than that.:thumbsup:

i goy a buddy who uses the same with great results

 

[fatkien]

i use arm and hammer baking soda, prestone driveway heat, and epsom salts.
$20 will last the year on my 120. Cant get much more economical than that.:thumbsup:

+2^^^^^

 

[djmurray]

I use Arm and Hammer baking soda, Prestone driveway heat, and epsom salts.
$20 will last the year on my 120. Cant get much more economical than that.:thumbsup:

+3 works top notch!!

 

[rogerwilco357]

prestone driveway heat , what does this do ?

 

[saltygeek]

prestone driveway heat , what does this do ?

Its used as the calcium portion of two part.

 

[caribbeanguy]

http://reefcentral.net/forums/showthread.php?p=16538310

Thread on Prestone......it supplements calcium

 

[RA]

+3 works top notch!!

+4 On this for the Prestone Driveway Heat and baking soda. I use Randy's recipe for the 2 part magnesium. None of these additives are expensive. The only real cost that is hard to cut is your electricity.

 

[coker98]

For electricity, you could try getting equipment that consumes less energy. Such as running a T5 system instead of Metal Halide ro getting energy efficient pumps all around and putting your skimmer on a timer opposite of the daytime lights.

 

[glennr1978]

As previously stated, just sell frags. You should easily make enough money to buy the supps you need to keep the tank running.

 

[stunreefer]

The driveway heat and baking soda is what BRS sells, just repackaged Ever wonder why while mixing calcium it gets so hot? Driveway Heat :thumbsup:

 

[oscar.millan]

I absolutely love my tank, and it would be very painful - but I think if I got laid off, I would probably sell it. Survival mode at that point until I landed a new job.

Am I the only crazy one here?

 

[cody6766]

Job or not, I'd make my own 2 part and mag if I had a bigger tank. I use fairly little Ca and Mg so I just use store-bought for now, but I use baking soda for my alk. I spent something like $5 on a big bag (look in the pool section at walmart in the summer, look around everywhere other seasons) of baking soda and haven't put much of a dent in it. I'll probably try to track down some driveway heat if I can find it in Florida in this winter. For some reason, I see it being scarce down here though, haha.

Oscar, first step would be cutting back on tank costs, next would be selling frags and keeping a few with fish. My last steps would be a total break down and storage followed by a sell off if it got too bad. I have too much sunk into it to sell it all off unless I REALLY need to.