A mess need help

[Tylenator]

Let me start off with situation my wife saw my reef aquarium at the shop for the first and flipped out over all the components. She proceeded to let me know all those Apex pieces were way too many I need to know if there's a system that's condensed to the point it would fit next to the sump

 

[Dburr1014]

So... The mess is?

1) Need smaller controller?
2) sump or remote sump?
3) no controller just timers?
Or
4) new wife or convince wife?

I would go with 3 if she is reading this.

 

[Jekyl]

Controllers and most of the other expensive electrical things out there aren't needed. People have successful reef tanks in vases.

 

[fulltang]

Uh reef pi using a pi zero w 2 in an Altoids tin lol

 

[jepuskar]

Divorce wife. It will be cheaper in the long run.

 

[Tylenator]

Lol

 

[ZoWhat]

Take your narcissistic partner into her wardrobe closet and ask her WHY SO MANY FLIPPING SHOES?!? LIKE A PAIR OF SHOES FOR EVERY OUTFIT?!?

 

[Idech]

Take your narcissistic partner into her wardrobe closet and ask her WHY SO MANY FLIPPING SHOES?!? LIKE A PAIR OF SHOES FOR EVERY OUTFIT?!?

Not every woman in the world has that many shoes, or even like shoes, but I see your point.

To the OP, this is your hobby and your partner shouldn’t interfere with it, unless you’re financially unstable and they are going to suffer the consequences.

It’s going to be hard for you managing your tank if someone who has no idea what they are talking about keeps telling you to do this or that. The tank isn’t even home and it’s already started.

I think a good and honest discussion is in order.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

U can have a great reef without all the controllers and apex and automation. I maintain a sump w skimmer a small reactor for rowa. That’s it. Auto top off is me or gravity fed from a milk jug mixed w kalk. Dose 2 part manually test daily. Ya get to know the system. U can always add it later. Good luck

 

[bnord]

I have 4G internet in a very rural setting and so no controllers.

Guess what.

You don't need them.

But would have one if I could I guess

 

[Rmckoy]

I have never had a controller .
testing and dosing is all done daily by me .

perhaps ….. start with a discussion
IF you truly love the hobby . A compromise is possible .
Involve her in some of the decision making , stocking suggestions , let
Her pick out “ her fish , her coral ,

 

[mehaffydr]

I had a very successful 225 Gallon mixed reef for a decade before controllers were even invented. They are nice and I do have a lot of Apex gear now but it is not a necessity.

 

[Rmckoy]

Controllers are similar to running shoes .

you don’t need them to win the race , but some of the best are using them .
I feel automation such as controllers would take all the fun interesting parts of what I live away .
I already have a hard time not getting lazy reefer syndrome .

 

[Lavey29]

My wife isn't even allowed into my fish room.