Hi All,
I'm still working from home w/no set return date, but have been thinking ahead about how to manage my reef when the firm I work for has us back in the office. For now I'm dosing by hand and checking in/doing maintenance throughout the day when I have a sec to take a break from work. I'd also like to be able to take a vacation, or even just go visit family in another state for a few days at the very least this summer, so I'd like to get more serious about automation now.
I have a Red Sea Max Nano -- 20g AIO. It's a small tank, and since I've been home this whole time, I've opted to run it exactly as it came w/o any upgrades. I even still use the ATO reservoir it came with, which I have to refill pretty much every night before going to bed. I dose a small amount of All For Reef daily, as well as NoPox. The system is coming up on a year of operation and things are running pretty smoothly. I'm really happy w/it and am certain I want to stick w/the hobby.
I'm looking into upgrading to an automated ATO, and automated dosing so the system can run w/o me refilling the reservoir every night and hand dosing every day, and I have been window-shopping and thinking about what to get for those for a few months. I'd like whatever I purchase to be able to work with an AIO tank but be able to grow with me when I upgrade the tank eventually. Now I'm starting to consider the Hydros controller.
I have no immediate plans to upgrade my tank, but I know that I do want to upgrade at some point. If I stay in my current apartment or rent a new apt, that will mean an upgrade to a 30-40g with a true sump. If I move to a house then an upgrade could mean a much larger system.
If you've read through all that, thank you! I'm seeking advice from other reefers, and would specifically like to know others' thoughts on the Hydros, and automation for nano tanks.
I'm still working from home w/no set return date, but have been thinking ahead about how to manage my reef when the firm I work for has us back in the office. For now I'm dosing by hand and checking in/doing maintenance throughout the day when I have a sec to take a break from work. I'd also like to be able to take a vacation, or even just go visit family in another state for a few days at the very least this summer, so I'd like to get more serious about automation now.
I have a Red Sea Max Nano -- 20g AIO. It's a small tank, and since I've been home this whole time, I've opted to run it exactly as it came w/o any upgrades. I even still use the ATO reservoir it came with, which I have to refill pretty much every night before going to bed. I dose a small amount of All For Reef daily, as well as NoPox. The system is coming up on a year of operation and things are running pretty smoothly. I'm really happy w/it and am certain I want to stick w/the hobby.
I'm looking into upgrading to an automated ATO, and automated dosing so the system can run w/o me refilling the reservoir every night and hand dosing every day, and I have been window-shopping and thinking about what to get for those for a few months. I'd like whatever I purchase to be able to work with an AIO tank but be able to grow with me when I upgrade the tank eventually. Now I'm starting to consider the Hydros controller.
I have no immediate plans to upgrade my tank, but I know that I do want to upgrade at some point. If I stay in my current apartment or rent a new apt, that will mean an upgrade to a 30-40g with a true sump. If I move to a house then an upgrade could mean a much larger system.
If you've read through all that, thank you! I'm seeking advice from other reefers, and would specifically like to know others' thoughts on the Hydros, and automation for nano tanks.