Automated

[::pete::]

After getting back to SA I have had the chance to meet quite a few people I used to post with from NC. All good people too.

I have seen alot of FANTASTIC setups that are so automated the fun and reason (for me anyway) for having a tank is gone. I have also seen alot of people getting out because they are broke or burned out!!!

All the fancy equiptment has a +/- as does everything else, but if you take care of the tank I dont see a need for the fancy equiptment. The fancy equiptment can also fail leading to a disaster so why waste all the money to keep up with the JONES'.

I love my tank and all the tanks I have seen, but if its automated why have the tank and why be in the hobby?

[NaCl_H2O]

Pete, as you know I had some great plans for automation, mostly lights, fans, cooling, etc., but also some simple stuff like auto-top off, and a Ca Reactor (I guess that's automation?, more auto than measuring B-Ionic anyway). Part of my automation interest is due to my profession (Software & control systems), so I was trying to put some of that into my tanks.

In the end, I have greatly simplified my automation scheme and am really doing nothing but controlling light cycles and auto top-off now. Oh yea, and I twist a few valves for a water change, but that was a necessity (100g)!

In general I have found that the automation stuff available on the retail market ain't that good, and a really good aquarium control system would need to be designed in a fashion similar to what we do at work, and would cost FAR more than would be reasonable.

So, my recommendation is keep your automation simple (KISS), and do as Pete - enjoy the effort required to "love" your hobby :-D

[::pete::]

So, my recommendation is keep your automation simple (KISS), and do as Pete - enjoy the effort required to "love" your hobby

I just like having it hands on and I know everything is right to the best of my ability with the kits I use (that could also be wrong), but I enjoy the work!!! It, in my opinion shows in the end and I can be proud of my work. Look at My reef. If its automated where is it your work?

[don-n-sa]

Pete,

I am definitly with you on this one...the only thing that I want automated is lights and topoff, annd the only reason that I want topoff is to keep from salinity fluctuations. I don't consider anything that I do with my tank as work at all. I really love tinkering with my system...including water changes and cleaning skimmers! However I do enjoy seeing how other people set up their systems that have everything connected to monitors/computers and such, but I think that it does take a little fun out of it. For each his own I think a wise person once said. 8)

[alexwolf]

aw jeez guys, why do I feel that this post is directed towards me?


However I do enjoy seeing how other people set up their systems that have everything connected to monitors/computers and such,


I did this because
A) computer was free
B) I didnt see spending $150 for a PH controller when I can spend $100 more to get the entire thing

All i use it for is running my lights, its EASY. Keeping the temp straight, and it lets me see wherre my fluctuations are so I can correct the problem. Whats so automated about that? I still have to make adjustments, I dont even have an auto topoff. :(

[alexwolf]

:cry2: yall making me feel bad....... :( :(

[Tim Marvin]

I think the automation looks pretty cool, but the only one I really like is the tunze osmoregulator. It is hard to keep up with evaporation when your busy, plus it makes sure to kalk my tank. As for the rest I can do without.

[Instar]

Well, personally I tried standing there making waves with a bottle, mimicking the cycles of the ocean, but, in the long run it just didn't work for us (me and the reef creatures) because I had to sleep now and then and keep getting called in to work. I strung up a wave make not long ago just to see what would happen. I enjoy watching my automated waves now and the reef critters like that too. They even get waves when I am not home now. But, what I really watch is the life in there as it develops and changes during the daily cycles. I don't even watch the LEDs on the wave maker anymore. I'll keep my automation and that too is part of my hobby. :scold:

[Tim Marvin]

The more systems you have and larger volumes, it can bee too much work without some automatic things to help out.

[alexwolf]

i am horrible about dosing. Really really bad. Sometime soon maybe I can sell enought CA reactors and waste containers to build myself a reactor :oops: I am also glad that my system is semi automated. For example, if water is on the floor, an alarm goes off. THat way, I dont burn the house down.

[NaCl_H2O]

For example, if water is on the floor, an alarm goes off.

Hey, I've got one of those too, her name is Karen :-D

[alexwolf]

LOL.....see both of us work all day....

[Tim Marvin]

Are you building skimmers also? How much for a 6 ft tall twin injection?

[alexwolf]

wrong post tim LOL

[Tim Marvin]

Yeh, right....LOL

[NaCl_H2O]

So what's "Automated"? I think some of it's just "Equipment", since most "Un-automated" systems don't skim by blowing really hard through 1/4" airline tubing :grin: ... See if we all agree?

Automated:
Light timers (Mechanical or Computer)
Auto Top-Off
Controllers (PH, ORP, etc.)
Doser w/Pump &Timer or integrated w/monitor
Logged sensors/monitors
Timed wave makers (Cycles pumps on/off)


Not Automated:
Skimmer
Ca Reactor
Monitors (PH, Salinity, Temp, ORP, etc.)
Heater/Chiller
Holding tank & Water change via manual valves
Mechanical wavemakers (SQWD, OM)

[Instar]

Now look what you started Pete?! We're defining the differences in plug in and valved devices! :lol2: I really wish there was an automated skimmer-blaster cleaner thing. That stuff is nasty.

[NaCl_H2O]

I really wish there was an automated skimmer-blaster cleaner thing. That stuff is nasty.

I've got one of those too, actually a multi-purpose device (See "water on floor alarm" above). But this function doesn't work well on the model I have and I was thinking about getting a different one :-D

[marinebeginner]

Man you guys are making my head spin! I am still trying to get set up with my tank & figure out everything I need. Personally, the sound of automated stuff sounds wonderful to me because, I am afraid of killing everything! :confused: However, I am sure you have to pay for all the automated stuff :cry2: The one though that changes your water? What is that? I would like to look into that because I want a large tank and wagging gallons of salt water across my carpet while two babies hang on my legs is definetly something I could see taking away from the hobby :? I liked the large trash can idea, but how about a valve? Is that really expensive?

[Brett Wilson]

I never had more than light timers, auto-topoff (CANT beat the osmoregulator), and a doser for kalk. This worked well for me for 4 years.
I never wanted more than that and therefore spent a bit of time on my tank tinkering with whatever, etc etc, and I decided to get out of the hobby based on time and effort.

[MikeyBoy]

Marine,

you should introduce yourself to some of these specific guys on this specific post.
They are all awesome guys that are very helpfull.
I am building a system and I am trying to work in as many of these ideas I can into my new system.

Ask these guys a question, they will give you a boat load of answers.

[prof]

I use automation to make my life easier. That way I can focus on the care of the animals and enjoying the tank. I also really enjoy the technical part of the equipment. So setting it up is fun. I try to set my tanks up so that they can make it a couple of days without me.

To each his/her own. I want my reefkeeping to be easier so I have more time to enjoy the beauty.

Now, if I could only find a way to automate scraping the algae my snails don't get off the glass :)

[::pete::]

IM not saying some of the things are bad or any for that matter, but if its a chore than its not fun and your in the wrong hobby :D . The entire hobby is a chore and I leave the house for work and when I return its a half an hour before I leave the front of the tank. I make sure everything is just as it was, I clean the glass even if it doesnt need it :D and then go about my business. I then come back and look and enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Not directed at anyone ... Alex :-D

[prof]

Maybe I shouldn't be running 7 tanks. I would have more time...

Naahhh, that is not it. More tanks is better, right :)

[alexwolf]

I do enjoy seeing how other people set up their systems that have everything connected to monitors/computers and such

who else has this here? :D :D

[beagleton]

[quote="prof"] I try to set my tanks up so that they can make it a couple of days without me.

For me it is not a chore, i enjoy keeping my reef stable and clean. it would be nice though if i could leave it from time to time and not have to worry about it. reefing is fun but i enjoy other parts of life as well. i'de like to set up some sort of auto-feeder for frozen foods for when i'm out of town, but the many problems in this seem daunting. the only other option seems to be to trust a friend (my friends know nothing about reefs) and hope for the best or to pay a pro too much $ to baby sit. a little automation seems like a good idea to me, any thing that can give me more time to enjoy the tank rather than doing H20 changes is a good thing for me. :lol:

[Brett Wilson]

I mess with my tanks at least three times a week, if not more... I try to keep it in a way that doesn't distrub the creatures;)... however, I left my tank for a MONTH without an experienced sitter and it went fine because it's automated.
Personally, just sitting and watching the tank isn't enough for me anymore. Sure, 4 years ago I was in constant awe... but since I started growing and selling corals my tank became more of a 'hobby' system and less of a fixture in my living room to stare at.

[Ram_Puppy]

valves are cheap if you go the manual route, close one, open one type deal...

I somewhat agree and disagree, automation is a great thing to a a point, and I think that point shifts on two variables and one constant, the variables would be the person and the size and biological complexity of the system, the constant would be the level of health required for your specimens.

Would anyone here try keeping seaworlds huge cylinder tank without a a significant amount of automation? I think not...

My current tank doesn't have auto top off, and sadly, the salinity fluctuation that happened today (i slept in really really late) I think killed my blue linkia... :( auto top off would be nice... next tank.

[donniekim]

I really love the un-automated way!

Especially since I cant afford any automation at this point in time! LOL

Donnie

[GaryP]

The ultimate automation system?

A tank service guy...

Gary

[Polkster13]

I use two large trash cans on wheels (after having rinsed them throughly) and a pond pump and siphon. One can is for my new water that I pre mix. The other is for the water that I siphon off of the tank. I use the pond pump to pump the new water into my tank. I always use the same can for each process; I don't swap them around. The head is over 6 feet to the top of my tank so I need a really strong pump. Also, I don't want to have to stand there all day while water dribbles into my tank. You can also use the pump to drain the "bad" water down a sink drain. Been using this method for over 7 years.

[scuba_steveo]

Not to dig up an old thread but I just got back in town. I was gone for 8 days. I cleaned the skimmer before I left, that was all. My mom & dad came over a feed the fish, this is all. The tanks are both running perfect and I owe it to automation. I could do not want to imagine having to do everything myself. I work several hours on it everday as it is. Anyway, I just got home, cleaned the glass, and now I want to go enjoy it.