Implementation for low maintenance

Psustein · Jan 14, 2018

I am getting back into the hobby and I have put so much research into the equipment i am getting plus what i want for the tank and expectations. I realize that the topic of an automated tank is dependent upon redundancies and relying on equipment plus and maybe most importantly budget. I am 100% on board with getting an apex Neptune to assist in keeping the equipment running while avoiding potential equipment failures. What I would like to know is any methods either through apex addons or done separately with equipment that help keep things simple while creating redundancies, and keep things running smoothly. I have no disillusion that I can get a maintenance free tank, but I am trying to find the line where you just have too much going on and keeping an efficient running reef tank. As everyone knows the hobby can get very expensive and I'm trying to decide what methods/equipment to implement to keep my tank stable with keeping the maintenance at a moderate level so I can enjoy the tank more.

tdileo · Jan 14, 2018

If you have the money, a tank can be almost maintenance free. The biggest factor for low maintence for me would be easy water changes. So how is that? Plumb a separate line off of your overflow to go out to the street or something. Turn a handle on your plumbing and now the water from the tank starts going down that instead of to the sump. Then have another line going into the tank where you flick a switch to turn a pump on and it pumps in the RODI water you’re making yourself. The only work is mixing the salt, pressing a button, and turning a handle. Boom, WC done. To assist in low maintenance, a doser will help a lot. And of course for your tests, you’ll want something fast and accurate. Hanna checkers are great for that.
Beyond those few things, all you have to do is look at your corals and fish each day to make sure everything looks happy and you can enjoy your slice of the ocean!

Reef-junky · Jan 14, 2018

Have you seen these?

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/auto-water-changer-autoaqua.html

Psustein · Jan 14, 2018

That's deffinetly nice

Reef-junky · Jan 14, 2018

Did you see it's also an ATO?

Daltrey · Jan 14, 2018

tdileo said:
If you have the money, a tank can be almost maintenance free. The biggest factor for low maintence for me would be easy water changes. So how is that? Plumb a separate line off of your overflow to go out to the street or something. Turn a handle on your plumbing and now the water from the tank starts going down that instead of to the sump. Then have another line going into the tank where you flick a switch to turn a pump on and it pumps in the RODI water you’re making yourself. The only work is mixing the salt, pressing a button, and turning a handle. Boom, WC done. To assist in low maintenance, a doser will help a lot. And of course for your tests, you’ll want something fast and accurate. Hanna checkers are great for that.
Beyond those few things, all you have to do is look at your corals and fish each day to make sure everything looks happy and you can enjoy your slice of the ocean!

My system is currently setup this way. To take it one step further I have just ordered Triton Core 7 and will try to run my system based on no water changes and use triton labs to let me know what elements to add to run a stable system using their lab based testing. This being on a 200 gallon system that takes alot longer for things to go south. I wouldn’t want to try it on a smaller system.

My goal is to ultimately run a self sustained system that could go a month at a time with little to no hands on.

Psustein · Jan 14, 2018

That's my goal I want to set myself up right from the start so I can have more time to enjoy it

Daltrey · Jan 14, 2018

As soon as I have time I will start a build thread titled Red Sea Reefer 750xxl ULM (ultra low maintenance). I will update it with all of the things I have implemented so far.

reeferfoxx · Jan 14, 2018

I would research the Triton method in this instance. I don't use Triton but I would if I had a larger system. What I like about Triton is how they implemented different levels for certain types of reefers(beginner, intermediate, expert, etc). And what's great about Triton is no water change. No, I do not work for Triton.

But the main thing about keeping a ULM is not over feeding and utilizing natural means of nutrient export to reduce crashing a system. Such as a macro algae refugium or algae turf scrubber.