High tech tanks

mandi29221 · Mar 9, 2018

Am I the only one who doesn't like the high tech on a tank? Is the controllers needed for a tank? Is a doser needed? Can I just manually add in? What is the purpose of the contollers? I ran out of my budget. But maybe next time we get money saved up I might consider it. In your opinion what controller is better? Thank you for your time

rocsec1 · Mar 10, 2018

You can have a tank witout any of them, but they make it easier to maintain and grow the tank. One thing I think is essential is an ato. I started using a reefkeeper but as soon as I could afford it I got an apex.. much more useful to me.

LetItReef · Mar 10, 2018

I’m still manually dosing on my nano tank but planning to get an inexpensive unit- Jebao:
Jebao DP-2 Programmable Auto Dosing Pump, 2 Channel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KANTID6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7k4OAbBDJ3DWH
I didn’t have an ATO for a year and did not mind doing it manually but when I got a used one from my co-worker , it makes it alot easier.
Check out the selling forum here , CL or Offer up.
I have no controller.

mahindra.dev · Mar 10, 2018

Agree with @LetItReef for the dosing pump. Consistent dosing and no variation. ATO is a MUST. Rest all are upto how much you want to monitor and or take up manually.

mahindra.dev · Mar 10, 2018

mahindra.dev said:
Agree with @LetItReef for the dosing pump. Consistent dosing and no variation. ATO is a MUST. Rest all are upto how much you want to monitor and or take up manually.

Btw on the controller APEX is hands down the best

ca1ore · Mar 10, 2018

You can absolutely run a successful tank without automation - those of us long tenured in the hobby remember when it was the only way to have a tank. Automation comes with sizable benefits, but also costs (both literally and figuratively). When you have a big tank, routine tasks become arduous and technology helps to relieve you of those rote tasks. But, it also introduces complexity, which in turn, elevates the chances of something going wrong. Redundancy helps, but does not eliminate this risk. And of course, technology is not cheap.

Brew12 · Mar 10, 2018

mandi29221 said:
Am I the only one who doesn't like the high tech on a tank? Is the controllers needed for a tank? Is a doser needed? Can I just manually add in? What is the purpose of the contollers? I ran out of my budget. But maybe next time we get money saved up I might consider it. In your opinion what controller is better? Thank you for your time

The necessity of a controller comes down to a few factors, the biggest one being you. If you are always going to be around to check up on your tank and enjoy the necessary tasks to maintain it a controller isn't necessary at all.

The only part of a controller that I would call almost necessary is a heater controller like this one.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/thermostat-temperature-controller-ink-bird.html
So many tanks lost to overheating when a heater sticks "on".

The next step would be the automatic top off system if you get tired of adding RODI to your tank twice a day.

After that, everything is pretty much optional. As for what is best? That is also dictated by you. I used to use the Apex and it is what I would recommend to people who are a little less tech savvy or who want a very nice web interface. I currently use the GHL Profilux and it is what I would recommend to more advanced users. I've never used the Reefkeeper so I can't speak to that.

mandi29221 · Mar 10, 2018

Brew12 said:
The necessity of a controller comes down to a few factors, the biggest one being you. If you are always going to be around to check up on your tank and enjoy the necessary tasks to maintain it a controller isn't necessary at all.

The only part of a controller that I would call almost necessary is a heater controller like this one.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/thermostat-temperature-controller-ink-bird.html
So many tanks lost to overheating when a heater sticks "on".

The next step would be the automatic top off system if you get tired of adding RODI to your tank twice a day.

After that, everything is pretty much optional. As for what is best? That is also dictated by you. I used to use the Apex and it is what I would recommend to people who are a little less tech savvy or who want a very nice web interface. I currently use the GHL Profilux and it is what I would recommend to more advanced users. I've never used the Reefkeeper so I can't speak to that.

Okay that makes more sense. I'm a stay at home mom so I'm always home

XNavyDiver · Mar 10, 2018

mandi29221 said:
Okay that makes more sense. I'm a stay at home mom so I'm always home

I wish I were a stay at home husband, but I'm not. If you're always home and don't mind doing all the dosing, monitoring and toping off, then no, you don't need to spend money on automation. If I were home all the time, I wouldn't have. Although I would still have an ATO.

tsav87 · Mar 10, 2018

Just gonna say if you don’t have a controller to automate daily tasks and monitor your tank, you will dread vacations.

tsav87 · Mar 10, 2018

Oh and I would add, setting up a new controller a day or two before a trip, that could end up being even more disastrous.

Set it up while you don’t need it so you can fine tune everything.

Oleshp · Mar 10, 2018

+1 to what tsav87 said. I mainly got my apex so I wouldn't worry about the tank whenever I left my house for any amount of time. I also set it up while I had no trips anywhere in the near future.

mandi29221 · Mar 10, 2018

XNavyDiver said:
I wish I were a stay at home husband, but I'm not. If you're always home and don't mind doing all the dosing, monitoring and toping off, then no, you don't need to spend money on automation. If I were home all the time, I wouldn't have. Although I would still have an ATO.

I prefer to work but daycare around here would take my entire paycheck. Plus to many children are killed in daycare around me. My husband works. Day care is 290$ a week for a under 1 and 190$ for a toddler I have a 4 month old and a 17 month old so that 480$ a week. That's just craziness. But we don't go on vacation other then camping and it's 20 minutes away. Plus I have trained my dad in proper care of my tank so if we do decide to my dad can come daily. How can I install a AT on a sump

Skynyrd Fish · Mar 10, 2018

Once you go ATO you will never go back. I also have a second hand reef keeper light. It's nice for my lights and heater controller. I just started ATI Essentials four weeks ago and set up an auto doser. It is so easy. I won't ever go back. I am as frugal as they come, but in the end this stuff will save me money, and my stability is rock solid.

tsav87 · Mar 10, 2018

Check out this ATO.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/smar...MI_7yYhYDi2QIVE7XACh3irQwmEAQYASABEgKqk_D_BwE

You place the optical sensor in the sump’s return pump chamber where you see the evaporation occur.

Just need a food grade container for the RODI water.

Skynyrd Fish · Mar 10, 2018

I just realized you have 2 kids under 2!! You must be tired. I had three under 3! I never recovered. LOL still tired.

XNavyDiver · Mar 10, 2018

mandi29221 said:
I prefer to work but daycare around here would take my entire paycheck. Plus to many children are killed in daycare around me. My husband works. Day care is 290$ a week for a under 1 and 190$ for a toddler I have a 4 month old and a 17 month old so that 480$ a week. That's just craziness. But we don't go on vacation other then camping and it's 20 minutes away. Plus I have trained my dad in proper care of my tank so if we do decide to my dad can come daily. How can I install a AT on a sump

Tunze ATO. All you need is the container for your RODI water. Simple.

Brew12 · Mar 10, 2018

Skynyrd Fish said:
I just realized you have 2 kids under 2!! You must be tired. I had three under 3! I never recovered. LOL still tired.

This +1

If she can take care of 2 kids under 2, maintaining a reef tank without automation is a simple task!

mandi29221 · Mar 10, 2018

Skynyrd Fish said:
I just realized you have 2 kids under 2!! You must be tired. I had three under 3! I never recovered. LOL still tired.

Lol its not that bad both are girls.. My 4 month old has torticollis and plagiocephaly. Basically her neck muscle on her right side wasnt stretched enough. So her head tilted to the right side. Normal kids can turn there head fully she couldnt. But I've worked with her and her torticollis is gone. But now her plagiocephaly (flathead) so now we will be traveling once a month 3 hours away to get her in a helmet. But mentally she is the most calm and happy baby. Her sister is a terrorist. Lol we had to completely baby proof our fish tank. Like back plexiglass in the back cabinet. Magnetic locks. Nothing near it to climb on. But if there is a will she will find a way. But no more babies for a while. I promise that. But my husband surprised me on my birthday with a 75 gal said I need my hobby back since I'm now socially awkward. Lol. Idk how you handled 3 under 3 tho. My labor n delivery nurse said can we not give birth next year. I said insert birthcontrol please.

Skynyrd Fish · Mar 10, 2018

My oldest son had/has plagiocephaly. He had the helmet and turned out fine. Still a touch lopsided, but you can't tell. It's one of those you never see unless you were really looking for it. I was not as diligent about the helmet as I should have been, maybe. He's 12 now.