[Lady_D]

Ok, I have read over this forum and cannot find a tip similar to this one so I think I am the first to submit it. :panana

I have a great idea for creating a union with the modern technology of computers and the ageless hobby of fishkeeping: an electronic tank log!

I have created an Excel spreadsheet that contains all the information I need about my tank at the click of a mouse! So far it is a three-tab document with the first tab dedicated to basic tank information such as size, filter, bulb, how long the tank has been up, etc. I like to think of this as my re-order guide. If my bulb is blown, I look here. Need new filter cartridges? I look here. Next is my second tab, the medicine log. I have it set up to tell me the name of the med used, when treatment began and ended, the dosage, why it was used, and any notes. Finally my third tab is the results from my water tests. I have every test I do with it's results in a column underneath the date and any special notes. I can tell at a glance what levels are good and bad by using color-coding and individual cell formatting and know exactly how to respond!

I thought it up last night while I was testing my water in my 29 gallon. I had been writing my results down, but since I normally end up spilling something (which I did...) I thought it would be great to keep my log on my computer, dry and stain-free. Added bonus: If you are like me and lose things a lot, you won't have to worry! Surely you aren't going to lose your whole computer, are you? :blink:

[Devs]

:) It sounds pretty much like keeping a "Goldie Journel",but in an advanced way if you know what I mean.Nice idea. :) I'm not the best with computer's so I'll be doing the written journel. :rolleyes: :lol:

[Padda's pal]

i like the sound of this, any chance you can show a spreadsheet then that way you could pass it on to others,
as everyone here likes fish and must be using a computer, to me it ties them in nicely. Well done

[Lady_D]

Padda's Pal, I sure can! Let me take some screen shots and post them onto my Photobucket account here shortly. I will re-post with the link.

I made an addtion just a minute ago: I decided to add a fourth tab so that I could record all my tank maintenance. :D That way it is easier for me to keep up with it all than flipping thru my desk calendar. That, to me, is the beauty of a living document: you can always add and modify it to fit your needs.

Devs, I am toying with it to make it more user friendly so that all the individual has to do is type. Maybe have a version available for download to the public. Who know what I might come up with! :D

[Ponderosa Power]

Oh I like this idea :) My little booklets were always subject to getting spilled on, lost, licked (one of my cats loves the taste of bic pens :blink: ) and dropped in water. I'm much faster at typing so this might be the way to go. Your talking about Microsoft Excell, right? I think we have it but I have absolutely no idea what it is or how to use it.

[Devs]

:D User friendly is always a good thing-especially when the User(Me),is not too good on Computer's as of yet. :lol:
Now that I'm thinkin about it,I'm thinkin that I won TOTM with a Goldie Journel! :lol:
Kissy,I know what you mean about spills and such-you should see what my journel looks like. I like to think that it has Character" and charm though.
I'm a hands on type person,so I'll probably always keep the Journel,but having the "Info" on my computer,could definately be a good thing when I can't remember where I last had my book. :lol: Keep working on it! Sounds great!

[Lady_D]

Kissy, Yeah, it is in Microsoft Excel. I learned how to use it at work and now I don't know how I lived without it! :D

Devs, I think I saw where you posted a journal, but I was hoping it would qualify me since it's electronic. Maybe if it was distributed out it would force new fishkeepers to keep track of data they wouldn't think of otherwise. One of those same-but-different things. :D Here is the link to see screenshot samples (When the window pops up, just click open to see the file):

http://www.geocities.com/kritter0101/log_screenshots. xls

Thanks!

This post has been edited by Lady_Dodecagon: 05 March 2006 - 03:16 PM

[Devs]

:) It can only be a good thing if it helps to improve our fishkeeping. :)

[Lady_D]

Devs, I really think it could help improve our fishkeeping. One big example I thougt of was if someone was having tank problems and needed help they could post the file online and everyone could get into it and see what their maintenance regimine was or all the test results since they started the log. You could see where in the past they went wrong. If one kept only a paper journal they would have to enter all the info at one time, where on Excel it's already done as you complete the tasks. Of course I'm not trying to get everyone to go electronic, but it opens up another option for someone who hasn't thought about it before. :D Who know, if this works, just how big it might get. It would be awsome if people wanted to give it a shot. HUGE honor for a bored little lady from Tennessee doing her water testing! :D

[Desiree]

i love this idea!!!! i all ready keep a log on excel of my test results... but i love the idea of keeping an inventory of equipment and of water changes etc. on their too!!! :) good job lady_dodecagon!!!!!!!! :rockon

[Lady_D]

Desiree, Thanks! I used to write all mine down in a weekly organizer, but I started to wonder what would be easier and it just came to me! I got so tired of flipping thru all those pages to try to find out when I might have missed a maintenance or when I installed my bulb. :D