Nice Weather Reefing on autopilot....

revhtree · May 13, 2019

It's that time of year when the weather is getting to be perfect and many people extend their lives more to the great outdoors! For those of you who allow your reef to go on "autopilot" more during this time I have some questions for you.

1. How does your normally "reefing" routine change from colder weather to warmer weather routine?

2. What are some helpful tools or things that might help others who want to spend more time outdoors?

3. What are some pitfalls that you would warn others about when it comes to spending less time with your reef tank?

image via @BlennyKravitz

don_chuwish · May 13, 2019

I find it doesn't really correlate with seasonal changes. If I get bored with it or fired up again just depends on too many other variables.

Dom · May 13, 2019

I can't imaging being in this hobby and expecting to walk away from your tank for an extended period of time (regardless of season), without consequence. I always have my finger on the pulse of my tanks.

KrisReef · May 13, 2019

1. How does your normally "reefing" routine change from colder weather to warmer weather routine?
Cold weather makes my bones ache, so I get more active during long warm summer days. More gets done in the tank and with the honey-dues!

2. What are some helpful tools or things that might help others who want to spend more time outdoors?
Automate. ATO, lights, dosing (or Calc rX), whatever you can set and forget will help minimize the damage from summer distractions from the reef.

3. What are some pitfalls that you would warn others about when it comes to spending less time with your reef tank?
Your critters will suffer if the tank requires hands-on attention. Automate or hire someone to watch your tank while you are distracted by the warm weather, bikinis, and road trips, or whatever has drawn you away. The Government has determined that tank neglect is the leading cause for hair algae, sick fish, and early winter teardowns. Some reefkeeping experts warn that tank neglect can lead to depression in reefers who are prone to summer distractions.

BestMomEver · May 13, 2019

I love being outdoors but I live on/in 42 acres of forest. I don’t have to go far. The beach is only 1.25 hours away. So outside to me, doesn’t mean away.

For peace of mind, however, my Apex has been a lifesaver.

andrewkw · May 13, 2019

I don't need to go outside, I have (mini) oceans inside!

ludnix · May 13, 2019

My tank is at work, so my time with it is pretty fixed regardless of season. I do get to enjoy a lot more outdoor time with gardening and local sights during the summer though. It probably gets a little more attention during the warmer months as I am afraid of it overheating. So far so good, but we have made a lot of changes to the building it's in with new windows and doors so I am constantly worrying it will get really hot in there over a weekend during some future heat wave.

Jon M. · May 13, 2019

Here in Wisconsin many a reefers forget their tanks during the three weeks of summer here. My LFS says May-September is dead compared to the rest of the year. I am guilty of this and thank automation for keeping my tank going.

Musovski · May 13, 2019

autopilot 24/7, doesnt matter the season

timrocks311 · May 13, 2019

I voted yes because at the moment, I find myself a little busy with the kid's baseball, hockey and a lot of other things, so I haven't done as much maintenance on the tank as I would like. I'm still quite aware of it's condition and it is in good shape. Fortunately it's relatively low maintenance anyway.

Flippers4pups · May 13, 2019

My routine with my reef is, to me, as if I'm doing the same thing as getting ready for bed or eating a meal. Vacation falls back on a tank setter to feed the tank and make sure there is no issues.

This is no difference in attentiveness, regardless of time of year.

Mical · May 13, 2019

My tanks are my "sanity check". Doesn't matter what the season, whether it's traveling for work or visiting the "outlaws" in Denver... when I'm away I'm checking cameras & Apex every couple of hours. My tanks keep me grounded & in touch with what really matters.

vlangel · May 13, 2019

I am an outdoors person and although I try to balance my reef and outdoor activities, my reef does not get as much attention in nice weather months.

I scimp on cleaning the glass (except an occasional magnet cleaning), and syphoning out bubble algae. I do not maintenance the sump or equipment in the summer. I do not add coral or fish in the summer, nor do I test parameters.

BUT I do keep up with weekly 10% WCs. This 1 action is enough to keep my reefs running smoothly until October when I become more attentive again. WCs even without testing help keep the tanks stable so that the parameters do not get grossly out of whack. They rarely require much adjusting as the WCs supplies the uptake of alk, CA and I add coral-vite to the WC for trace minerals. This would probably not work for a tank with fast growing stonies but mine is a mixed reef with a lot of softies and macro algaes and a few LPS and SPS.

themcnertney · May 13, 2019

I feel my tank is always on "auto pilot". Especially with all the travel I do.

Sailingeric · May 13, 2019

As my tank has matured the work involved has gone down a lot, just in time for the nice weather!

ReefGeezer · May 13, 2019

1. How does your normally "reefing" routine change from colder weather to warmer weather routine?

I am away from home a lot anyway, but more so in the warmer months. When I'm home, my attention is shared with warm weather hobbies. It takes a little longer for me to recognize an issue. The biggest change is that my normally somewhat erratic water change schedule becomes even more erratic. Alkalinity swings have been an issue in the past. I've put some measures in place to reduce them... so far so good.

2. What are some helpful tools or things that might help others who want to spend more time outdoors?

Webcam & phone apps to watch the tank, bulletproof ATO, automatic water change system or something that makes them quick & easy, large ASW and fresh water holding vessels, timers, or controllers, particularly with web capability.

3. What are some pitfalls that you would warn others about when it comes to spending less time with your reef tank?

I think that not noticing a problem quickly is the biggest risk. The reliance on automation to reduce the required interaction comes with its own set of risks. I also find myself wanting to do a lot to the tank when I do find time and interest. There have been times that I've done too much all at once in an attempt to catch up. The resulting changes were too drastic and actually hurt the system.

siggy · May 13, 2019

siggy said:
EDIT Quote @McPuff Trident... no thanks. I'll just manually test my parameters like a chump. Even at MSRP, the trident would never pay off for me. But I do understand that some people like gadgets and will enjoy using/having it.

Hey I would love a BLACK-BOX to run the tank when I cant. Like this week I have to work 7 12's and I will be in no mood to do testing, besides the topoff is dry, I NEED to do a WC, the grass needs mowing and winter damage repairs then add my son who NEEDS to go FISHING(family time) and to TOP things off ICP came back with tin off the charts...So I will be working on the tank....wish i had help

just posted this in another thread an hour ago before seeing this

But yes I am outside boating, fishing or sitting on the patio drinking a POP

Don't forget the Land-Scape! Surprisingly I really appreciate coming in the house at twilight and the tank really stands out at that time

cracker · May 13, 2019

I have 2 tanks so there always something that needs doing. I enjoy it & still have time to go fishin .

SashimiTurtle · May 13, 2019

There is no year round autopilot option... I do one water change every 4 weeks, the dosing pump has been locked in for months, and feed the fish. Other than that I sit back and watch.