Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

Two years ago I suffered a construction accident where the staging broke directly under me and I landed on my feet. Unfortunately the right heel was the first to make contact with the ground and shattered in 4 places. Been on crutches for 2 years with numerous re constructive heel/ankle bone realignment surgeries. In that time I still maintained 7 tanks with African cichlids, moved to a new apartment setting up all the tanks, sold them and now have 2, 90 gallon reef tanks fully running and a vivarium. This past March I was in for surgery again and now have a cast on my foot with an elctro magnetic bone stimulator wrapped around the cast and a battery pack on my waist. I no longer need the crutches except for stairs and I'm now mobile with a knee walker, Free Spirit, that allows me the freedom to take care of my tanks as well as shop at Home Depot and any store I'm driven to. It's amazing the reaction of people as they see me cruise the isles saying how much fun it looks but don't want the pain in the foot to go with it. My family will not let me drive which I could with a broom stick on the gas and my left foot on the brake, so I end up waiting for a ride to my favorite LFS. I just got done with 2 water changes in both tanks and carried each of the 6 buckets to empty down the toilet. I still dose my tanks daily, feed the fish and corals, monitor my water parameters, change filter socks and wash and change media in filters. Only problem is I'm not doing it in a record breaking time. I can't I get the knee walker into the basement to my workshop. The old torn up concrete floor in the basement will really slow me down. My DIY projects have been put on hold and have turned my attention to paint brush in hand as well as other hobbies in progress.
Attached is the Free Spirit knee walker that has allowed me the freedom to maneuver in my home and stores. The device folds to fit in the trunk of the car and does come in different models for rough terrain, ATV. It'll turn 360 and has amazing braking power for the speed I've needed in Walmart when a 7 yr old on a tricycle cut me off. The hand brakes lock the wheels to allow for applying all the weight on the knee and perform the tasks with the freedom of using both hands and not being supported by crutches under both arms. Unfortunately the device is only of use to anyone with foot or ankle handicap. For me it's temporary and has out performed the wheelchair that collected dust from my last operation. I'm down but the only towel I'm throwing down is to dry off my hands after being in the tanks.

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¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø*-Leroy-¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø*
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1930's/1950's Matchcover Collector
http://www.matchcover.org/
A collection of advertising art
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90 Gallon, Softies, LPS, SPS
90 Gallon FOWLR

Man Leroy, way to go. There's no keeping you down!

Though I gotta say we gotta find a way to ditch the buckets for the water changes. Personally, I hate lugging them around and I'm on two feet. I usually manage to spill some of it on the floor. Can't imagine doing it with an injury.

I had a system with a spare 20g tank inline with everything, that I would drain completely, then refill with new salt water, and put back "in-line". Water changes were just the flip of some valves.

That tank broke, and for a few weeks I was back to lugging buckets to the next room. Yuck. Now I've set up something similar so that once again water changes are a just valve flip, pretty much gravity fed.
So I find them a few minute affair and not a chore at all (so I do them more frequently)

Do you have any places in your systems where you can set up a partial "drain and fill" like I mention? Even a drain to a temporary bin with a pump out to a sink or toilet drain would be easier than the bucket brigade! ;-)

Give a shout if you have ideas but need help getting it in place.

PS: I often throw in the towel, but it's usually to mop up a spill on the floor.

Scott, I like the idea of being able to drain my tanks easily that in time I'll set up a 55 gal food grade barrel in the basement with salt water premixed to pump up to the display tank and a pump to siphon water from the display tank into the drain at the washer. It's all going to come down to money needed for the equipment. Workmans comp doesn't pay out like working a full time job so any money I use towards my tanks is to enjoy a few new corals or fish. Carrying a few buckets every once in awhile is good exercise till I get back to the gym. I'll keep your idea in mind and will use it when I set up a new tank I have plans for in the near future. Thanx for the info.

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¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø*-Leroy-¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø*
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1930's/1950's Matchcover Collector
http://www.matchcover.org/
A collection of advertising art
•._.•´¯`•._.•´¯`•._.•´¯`•._.•
90 Gallon, Softies, LPS, SPS
90 Gallon FOWLR

A short term and not so expensive solution is 32g brutes on wheels -- that's what I use until I find time and stay home long enough to set up my basement sump. Leroy -- it is awesome that you have the attitude that you have. It is not easy going through what you have and are having to deal with physically. Be sure to shout if you ever need help.

wow man, that is dedication! thank goodness i had rafters on either side of me when the staging went on me... i was able to catch myself by throwing my arms out quickly lol ... keep pluggin man... if it makes you happy that's all that matters

Thanks for the support and advice. I figured the tanks were in pretty good shape once I had ATO set up and water changes would be monthly. I do however use a 30 gallon Rubbermaid to mix 15 gal of salt water and it's pumped into the tank after I siphon out 3 buckets. Anything that has to do with utilizing the basement for the operation of the tank in anyway is tough because getting down 13 steps on crutches is pretty hairy so the option is to let the crutches slide down the steps and crab crawl down the steps. It's a pretty funny sight but safe but I'll still manage.

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¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø*-Leroy-¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø*
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1930's/1950's Matchcover Collector
http://www.matchcover.org/
A collection of advertising art
•._.•´¯`•._.•´¯`•._.•´¯`•._.•
90 Gallon, Softies, LPS, SPS
90 Gallon FOWLR

Leroy you are an inspiration. Always helping others, and not giving up. Thanks for the post, and making me smile again.

Myk

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The aquarium hobby is a wonderful thing!

www.TheAquariumGallery.com

Thanks Myk, keep on smiling

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¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø*-Leroy-¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø*
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1930's/1950's Matchcover Collector
http://www.matchcover.org/
A collection of advertising art
•._.•´¯`•._.•´¯`•._.•´¯`•._.•
90 Gallon, Softies, LPS, SPS
90 Gallon FOWLR

Wow Leroy, glad you're still going without slowing down. As the staging gets higher and higher when I'm doing siding I always get this little bug in my ear telling me I really shouldnt be there, especially now that I'm getting a bit older. I finally decided to give up the roofing, and I think siding is next.

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(' )< David >( ')

"The world is headed for mutiny when all we want is unity" Scott Stapp, Creed

yee haw, buddy! I know youre gonna be up late one night tryin to figure a way to improve or modify that scoot!! glad to hear youve got some freedom from the crutch this time..and for god sake slow down in walmart...some one could break an ankle or something!

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Broke and lovin it!
Denis and Kim