Automation Overhaul – Hydros Integration Complete
I’ve officially moved everything on this tank over to Hydros, and it’s been a game-changer—especially since I travel frequently for work. Automation was the only realistic way to keep this system stable and stress-free while I’m away.
I ended up finding a small stand that fit everything I needed, including enough space to mount a controller board (yes, I turned the stand into a Hydros command center

).
Here’s what the system is handling now:
- Auto Top-Off (ATO) via Hydros
- Daily 2% Water Changes – that’s just 575ml each morning, perfect for a tank this size
- Dosing:
Dosing Extras:
I’m using a Minnow pump to dose 5ml of live Phyto twice a day (morning & evening), and Phos-Feed right after lights out. One of the features I love most about the Minnows is that they can run in reverse—this lets me flush the lines after each dose to avoid clogs and buildup. Live Phyto is stored in a mini fridge with a magnetic stirrer running all day. Phos-Feed also has a magnetic stirrer, but it only kicks on around dosing time.
The Hydros app has been rock-solid so far, and I’ve got alerts set up just in case something goes sideways while I’m out of town.