Reef Hoarders Organization

[CaseyP]

90% of reefers I've visited are hoarders, myself included. We have periodic garage clear out sales to get some sanity back. We like to tinker with gadgets. We have backups for our backup equipment. Equipment from previous setups that will maybe be for future setups. How do you guys organize your stuff?

All my stuff is on this rack in the garage plus two brute trash cans outside for water changes. I've tried organize items by category in tubs (testing, fragging, maintenance, equipment, etc) but I still feel like it's organized chaos. I've tried to find garage cabinets with doors to hide everything but none are deep enough to hold the tubs.

 

[MarcosDelgado0]

Honestly… my stuff is all over the place lol. I do keep some things in those 27 gallon storage bins from Costco. It’s kind of annoying though because to save floor space I have 4 stacked on top of each other in the corner of a closet and if I need something from the bottom one I have to move all the ones stacked on top of it. I wish I had the space to build something like this rack. Not just for reefing stuff but to organize everything. Nothing worse than having to unstack bins to get to the bottom one. What I want to do is put up a bunch of peg board to be able to hold up the small things I use constantly like test kits, food, chemicals, reagents, tongs, etc. I kind of started but then I found out about Multiboard which pushed me to buy a 3D printer and eventually I want to go that direction

 

[gmdcdvm]

Don’t worry. You have a support group here. My garage is a mess and my wife complains about fish tank stuff everywhere. She doesn’t understand the need for so many buckets or so much clutter.
The problem is as soon as you get rid of something you’ll need it. The biggest issue I have is buying something again because I can’t find it in all the mess. I tried organizing it too but just can’t seem to get a handle on it.
G

 

[JVU]

I’m a member of this group too unfortunately. @CaseyP- That is 1 of how many racks like that? Lol

Although less tidy looking, I find clear bins are best so you can see what’s in there before digging it out. Plus an easy to read label saying in general what’s supposed to be in there. The 12g clear bins with flip top lids from Costco work pretty well for this. Then the larger opaque black/yellow 27g bins for larger/heavier stuff. Costco sells racks for them too.

 

[MichaelB]

I have crap in every room of the house except the bathrooms.

 

[MichaelB]

Honestly… my stuff is all over the place lol. I do keep some things in those 27 gallon storage bins from Costco. It’s kind of annoying though because to save floor space I have 4 stacked on top of each other in the corner of a closet and if I need something from the bottom one I have to move all the ones stacked on top of it. I wish I had the space to build something like this rack. Not just for reefing stuff but to organize everything. Nothing worse than having to unstack bins to get to the bottom one. What I want to do is put up a bunch of peg board to be able to hold up the small things I use constantly like test kits, food, chemicals, reagents, tongs, etc. I kind of started but then I found out about Multiboard which pushed me to buy a 3D printer and eventually I want to go that direction

I need that last picture with the tote shelf for my catering junk, fish stuff is so far way behind cooking/ serving gear.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

I have LOST this battle!!
and am envious of those that are WINNING!!
best fishes to all y'all

 

[MichaelB]

I have LOST this battle!!
and am envious of those that are WINNING!!
best fishes to all y'all

If all of us scored points for all of our good intetions and one day plans, we would all be winning in this area.

 

[SupraSaltyReefer]

Savages....I think my garage is pretty clean and organized

 

[tankguy]

I just try to keep stuff in one spot

 

[yosemiteclimber]

I think I have more reef related items than work stuff on my desk at any given time!

 

[Kensington Reefer]

Savages....I think my garage is pretty clean and organized
View attachment 63967

That’s more square feet than my house!!

 

[Patio]

One day I will have a drywall finished garage! One day... They look so nice and clean.

I find it challenging grouping reefing items together in categories... So many categories (darn subcategories too) and some just have one item in them. My current categories include things I use frequently (get the prime position) and things rarely used (get the subprime position). Lots of room for improvement. I am bad at starting systems but decent at improving existing systems.