Let’s see your LOW TECH reef!

[Sump Crab]

I think it’s fair to say that there are two main types of reefs these days, high tech and low tech. A low tech reef is just the basics. Probably no dosing and minimal automation. Testing often? Probably not. SPS dominant? Unlikely. Beautiful? Definitely!

Show off your low tech reef here!

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

I was all about low tech until I started adding tech and saw the amount of time / worry and headaches I'd say

Thinking of doing something small, but even with that will probably make it high tech with redundant features.

 

[Sump Crab]

I was all about low tech until I started adding tech and saw the amount of time / worry and headaches I'd say

Thinking of doing something small, but even with that will probably make it high tech with redundant features.

An ATO, battery back up for pump, and a heater controller is about as fancy as I can stand in my tanks.

 

[Subsea]

75G Twenty five year mature mixed garden:
reverse flow undergravel filter with 30G cryptic refugium and mud filter

 

[Subsea]

Dual 55G

Tank on top is set up 18 months with reverse flow ug filter and cannister filter, both used as cryptic zones.

Tank on bottom is 7 days mature with 10 lbs of dry aroggonite and 30 lbs of GSP covered live rock from established tanks. In tank circulation uses MaxiJet 1200 power head and air bubbles.

 

[w8lifts]

My old nano back in the day, didn’t really touch a thing and hardly did water changes. Was my easiest tank, hands down.

 

[TokenReefer]

I use a ato and a piggy back outlet from HD to "control" and "monitor" my return pump chamber water level to within an inch...

 

[vlangel]

Some times low tech is synonymous with old school or maybe just plain old, ha ha! I am all those.
My tank has a sump with return pump and heater. The display has a power head, LEDs and a HOB overflow box. This particular tank is 6 years old but I have coral that are a decade +.

 

[TokenReefer]

Some times low tech is synonymous with old school or maybe just plain old, ha ha! I am all those.
My tank has a sump with return pump and heater. The display has a power head, LEDs and a HOB overflow box. This particular tank is 6 years old but I have coral that are a decade +.

Lol this is exactly my equipment list as well including hob return + 1 (small) skimmer

 

[TokenReefer]

Well, plus the ato which was a freebie from a friend

 

[vlangel]

Well, plus the ato which was a freebie from a friend

That is one piece of equipment that I would like but have not had one that was reliable.

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

An ATO, battery back up for pump, and a heater controller is about as fancy as I can stand in my tanks.

Was the same until I started going nuts with programs for each wavemaker, lights etc...

I am a software architect though

 

[TokenReefer]

That is one piece of equipment that I would like but have not had one that was reliable.

Tunze osmolator. Haven't had it that long but so far its been rock solid for me so far... Which ones?

 

[Sump Crab]

Some times low tech is synonymous with old school or maybe just plain old, ha ha! I am all those.
My tank has a sump with return pump and heater. The display has a power head, LEDs and a HOB overflow box. This particular tank is 6 years old but I have coral that are a decade +.

I agree with the old school sentiment! I’ve been running my tanks almost the same way since the 2010s. Biggest change was switching to LED.

 

[Mschmidt]

I should probably test, but I see the algae fading frome even this picture. Taken a couple of weeks ago.

I feed and manually add water most days.

 

[vlangel]

Tunze osmolator. Haven't had it that long but so far its been rock solid for me so far... Which ones?

I forget what the very first ATO I tried was but the 2nd go around was the smart ATO. The sensor was not reliable.

 

[TokenReefer]

Good to know

 

[vlangel]

I agree with the old school sentiment! I’ve been running my tanks almost the same way since the 2010s. Biggest change was switching to LED.

Same here. I only switched to LEDs this year. Prior to that I was a VHO gal and then moved to T5s. Only when my 30" fixture was impossible to find bulbs for did I make the switch. I watched a ton of BRS videos trying to learn what would be the right fixture for my tank and my budget. I settled on the ReefBreeder Photon V-25. Once this ol' gal figured out how to program it, I have been very happy with it.

 

[HB AL]

Super low tech, the inkbird is my only controller. No water change system, manually dose everything, test params every few months, it works well for me.

 

[Sump Crab]

Tunze osmolator. Haven't had it that long but so far its been rock solid for me so far... Which ones?

that’s what I use to. I think I’ve had the Same one for a long time now with no failures. Years and years of reliable service.