Does anyone automate their tank?

[AydenLincoln]

I was looking at Neptune Apex and Hydros big price difference but this hobby is expensive. I have a 20 gallon nano and I honestly think tank automation is so cool and the lazy way which I like the idea of. I know Neptune Apex is seen as the best/top notch. Specifically for testing. Any other brands I should know about?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Those are the major supported ones and I would stick with those as many do have them and can help with troubleshooting. My old nuvo 20 had the apex jr on it as I only wanted monitor ph and temp.

I picked up the ApexEL as it's on sale now.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Those are the major supported ones and I would stick with those as many do have them and can help with troubleshooting. My old nuvo 20 had the apex jr on it as I only wanted monitor ph and temp.

I picked up the ApexEL as it's on sale now.

I know I saw!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I may be in the minority, but my advice to any new reefer is to not automate too much at first. There is a difference (to me anyway) between having an additional layer of redundancy, like with a heater controller, and making things so easy that you fall out of the habit of really monitoring your system. Test your water frequently, add any supplements by hand, and by doing the math to figure out the best dose. Keep a log of what's going on with your tank from week to week. Getting to know what to do and how to do it, without a controller, puts you in the best position to decide what you do want to control later on, and gives you the experience to get more hands on when needed if and when problems arise.

Again, just my opinion

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I think automation comes with time, and experience, best to keep it simple with new things, I dont have any controllers but temperature and ato. plus take a look into apex and trident after a year or two the reviews, they fail or throw false alerts more and more. Idk its not for me yet....

 

[outhouse]

My 210g display is automated, without any brain or program. Ro/DI on 30 minute timer to keep 10g res filled up daily. connected to my kalk reactor and floats for top off of my 100g rubbermaid sump. A Ca reactor keeps everything maintenance free. Less the switch that fills another 100g sump for water changes. so my actual input is 10 minutes to clean monthly filter sock and do water change. less cleaning of equipment and pumps every 6 months

 

[outhouse]

I think automation comes with time, and experience, best to keep it simple with new things, I dont have any controllers but temperature and ato. plus take a look into apex and trident after a year or two the reviews, they fail or throw false alerts more and more. Idk its not for me yet....

same here, no need and tank automated enough

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

My 210g display is automated, without any brain or program. Ro/DI on 30 minute timer to keep 10g res filled up daily. connected to my kalk reactor and floats for top off of my 100g rubbermaid sump. A Ca reactor keeps everything maintenance free. Less the switch that fills another 100g sump for water changes. so my actual input is 10 minutes to clean monthly filter sock and do water change. less cleaning of equipment and pumps every 6 months

But, how long have you been in the hobby?

 

[AydenLincoln]

I may be in the minority, but my advice to any new reefer is to not automate too much at first. There is a difference (to me anyway) between having an additional layer of redundancy, like with a heater controller, and making things so easy that you fall out of the habit of really monitoring your system. Test your water frequently, add any supplements by hand, and by doing the math to figure out the best dose. Keep a log of what's going on with your tank from week to week. Getting to know what to do and how to do it, without a controller, puts you in the best position to decide what you do want to control later on, and gives you the experience to get more hands on when needed if and when problems arise.

Again, just my opinion

I maybe should have been more specific I mean just for testing parameters.

 

[RichM]

I have the apex system, I have it setup to do daily water changes with the dos pumps, I also have the trident system doing automated testing of ca, alk, mg and performing automatic dosing of calcium and alkalinity with a second dos pump. It also tests pH, temp, orp, and salinity and records all values and allows you track trends and see relationships (ie temp vs salinity) also the alerts for when things go wrong gives piece of mind. The ATO is great too especially when setup with optical sensors to let you know when to refill. Next step for me will be to automate my rodi system to automatically top up the reservoir when its low. The biggest thing with this hobby is consistency and I find the apex definitely helps with that.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I maybe should have been more specific I mean just for testing parameters.

Especially for testing, I stand by my original reply.

 

[outhouse]

I maybe should have been more specific I mean just for testing parameters.

I dont test ever, lol just view health of tank, and I know whats where ect ect ect after almost 30 years its instinct

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I dont test ever, lol just view health of tank, and I know whats where ect ect ect after almost 30 years its instinct

The key phrase being "after almost 30 years"

 

[outhouse]

The key phrase being "after almost 30 years"

Paul B is the main guy ive known over the decades from RC lol

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Paul B is the main guy ive known over the decades from RC lol

He's great

 

[AydenLincoln]

He's great

What is RC and who?

 

[outhouse]

What is RC and who?

Paul B he is in his 70's or 80's and has a 40-50 year old tank.

RC = reef central

My lobo is 40 ish, but ive only been its caretaker for 30, I raise bubble tip nems and branching hammers pretty well.

Started with 1 nem, and 5 heads of branching hammer, the lobo, and the scoly i bought sick.

 

[outhouse]

 

[outhouse]

not trying to derail your thread, just showing you some automation is good, but not all is needed.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Paul B he is in his 70's or 80's and has a 40-50 year old tank.

RC = reef central

My lobo is 40 ish, but ive only been its caretaker for 30, I raise bubble tip nems and branching hammers pretty well.

Started with 1 nem, and 5 heads of branching hammer, the lobo, and the scoly i bought sick.

Oh okay then I’ve seen the site/his profile before I just wasn’t sure what you were talking about. Thanks.