Automatic vs Manual: Do you prefer having everything automated or doing it yourself?

[Sleeping Giant]

I like to do a bit of both, not fully confident with the technology for reef keeping.

 

[zoomonster]

Mostly automation and would love full. Just haven't gotten around to automatic water change and automatic water testing tech just isn't there yet. Too kludgy, unreliable and too many costly consumables. Let me know when there's a fully automated water tester with no reagents required like a mini mass spectrometer

 

[Reef Kinetics Verified Sponsor]

Over the past few years, we have seen many different products come out that have made some task for our reef tank automated, such as water changes, or even water testing. I was wondering do you prefer going automated or do you enjoy doing everything manually? Curious to hear what everyone says!

Automation! just hook your ReefBot to the aquarium and run or schedule test whenever you want!

 

[thecodingart]

Configured my first tank in December with fish and on my way to setting up a cat coral shark tank + seahorse tank.

I've 100% automated everything and couldn't be happier with it. I do think the automation tools in this space are... lacking... to say the least (and far over priced), but I really wouldn't get into this hobby without them.

I've been mostly hands off beyond just optimizing my setups and scaling for multiple tanks.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

When I had my tank up, I actually didn't mind doing water changes and testing the water with my Salifert test kits. The only things that were automated for me were the Lights, Gyres. I had no controllers for anything else. It was easy enough for me to top off the water each night when I got home. (a gallon a day). I like the hands on approach.

When i get this new tank set up, I might have to look into the ATO and Auto Feeder options. With me travelling for work, I don't have anyone to top off or feed the fish. I need to figure something out there.

Like I have heard so many times......it's not if these auto devices will fail, its WHEN. that makes me nervous.

 

[rtparty]

As safely automated as I can

 

[Gobi1canobi]

I guess you guys are doing better than me I will never have the money for that automation so I try toNot drool over the apex/Neptune controller automating anything I figured I’d but a ato people said it was cheap I looked I’m doing gravity ball valve and it gets me frustrated knowing it’s so expensive! Plus all the time I spend by my Reef I really am the aut automation!