Do we rely too much on technology for our reef tanks?

[Gumbies R Us]

(Keep this within TOS)
In a world filled to the brim with all sorts of new and "innovative" technology it has really help convenience many aspects of our reef tanks. From topping off our water automatically, to being able to check our tanks chemical levels away from home. However, do you feel like we are relying to much on technology to keep up with our reef tanks? So I am asking everyone here, are we relying too much on technology to help manage our reef tanks, or is it more beneficial for them?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

However, do you feel like we are relying to much on technology to keep up with our reef tanks? ?

IMO, some people are and some people are not. lol

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Depends on the person.

I use technology for convenience but I also understand what the technology can and can't do.

Some people use technology in hopes of being hands off. And when it doesn't work properly, blame technology.

This comes with all things related with technology.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I think technology has allowed more people to become successful Reefers. Not because they can’t do the tasks that are now automated or easier, but because they simply don’t have the time to do it manually. Not everyone is retired or home all the time to tend to the tank. But now more people can enjoy a more diverse ecosystem thanks to automated maintenance and monitoring. I know some purists think that isn’t reefing, but there is room for everyone to have the tank of their dreams on their own terms.

 

[corosato]

Def depends on the tank and the person. I know I am too busy to manually test or top off consistently, so for me having those automated makes me know it is getting done.

 

[56longroof]

Coming from someone that has been around aquariums for a long time I'll have to say yes. From my viewpoint there seems to be a disconnect from relying on tech too much.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I don't know if it's a relying thing or more of a convenience thing. Can you run a reef without technology, absolutely, is it easier with, absolutely. But I could see where someone who is tech crazy would rely on stuff.

 

[backbayreef]

Not enough. I need the tank to manage itself - 100% autonomous! :)

Like many reefers here, I'm good with lighting, flow, temp control, top off, chemical dosing, etc given tank controllers & latest tech. However, there are a few things (e.g. skimmer cleaning) I wish could be automated for complete hands-off (or less often, thinking 6-12 months). Personally for me, playing with reefing gear is actually more challenging & rewarding than raising fish / corals! Okay, understand that I might represent a very small minority with that mindset! lol

 

[vlangel]

I agree with @Reefer Matt that there is room in this hobby for those who enjoy the tech and those who prefer a more hands on approach. I am older and not as intuitive about tech as younger folks, plus I have been keeping my reefs for almost the past 30 years without much tech, and thats how I like it. However, having said that; when I was forced to upgrade my lighting because I could not source 30" t5 bulbs anymore and I moved to a ReefBreeder Photon LED, I learned to love it. Getting rid of timers and wires was awesome.

 

[Carnajo]

So I’m new and yet to start my first tank but I’ll say that I like the idea of being able to go on holiday without panicking about what’s happening with my tank. That’s said I’d choose redundancy over real time monitoring. I mean maybe if I get an alert I can try get an expert to go to my house and fix the issue, but on the other hand I’d rather have (for example) 2 dosers or auto feeders doing half the dose each so even if one fails or gets clogged I’d still have the other one working. If it makes sense in context I guess.

 

[FenrirAysen]

(Keep this within TOS)
In a world filled to the brim with all sorts of new and "innovative" technology it has really help convenience many aspects of our reef tanks. From topping off our water automatically, to being able to check our tanks chemical levels away from home. However, do you feel like we are relying to much on technology to keep up with our reef tanks? So I am asking everyone here, are we relying too much on technology to help manage our reef tanks, or is it more beneficial for them?

I've actually been reading Paul B's book and honestly he's so good at what he does it makes me feel like I overused even the testing. :face-with-tears-of-joy: But it's an interesting contrast to read that, then look at how much technology we have access to in the hobby. Especially for a new comer like me, its very conflicting. I'm in ugly phase, and my initial impulse is to lose my mind.

 

[BryanM]

So, while I have an apex and a waveengine, and helios+apex temp control, KH Guardian for Alk, and probably something or two I'm forgetting. ....

The single biggest thing I see from when I did this... oh my, almost 40 years ago... is all the chemistry info and products available.

This time around I'd have likely failed by now simply by not maintaining water changes. I hate water changes, hell, I have a 220 gallon total system now, and I've done 5 gallon water changes only to replace water that I vacuumed sand, or to increase salinity because it was low.

I dose AFR, and I imagine within the next year I'll change that out to does more specifically for alk, and trace elements, instead of an all for one product..... That remains to be seen though.... Give me another 3months, another ICP test, compare notes, and see where that's at.

You can't have tech and ignore everything. It's just another tool, if you can use it well and it makes your life easier, yeehaw.

 

[John Neuzil]

No

 

[NCsalt]

ATO is critical in my opinion to keep salinity stable throughout the day but you still have to make the water and manually fill the reservoir.

I manual dose and have been for two years. The Legal B(reef) 40 breeder is two years old today!

I do weekly 5 gallon water changes.

That being said i have a big trip coming up and i will be investing in doser. An upgrade is on the horizon and i can tell you more automation will be required to maintain my relative success withmore volume.

Automation becomes more important the more there is to do imo.

 

[Merge_595]

I worked 12 hours a night sometimes 14 with most of the week's taking 1 day off for the last 15 years straight..if it wasn't for technology(automation)there's no way I would be in the hobby..

 

[danreef55]

I am fortunate that I work from home and the display is in my office. I believe that the most saliant issue is monitoring and the peace of mind it brings. Although I check tank operation a few times per day alerts would be extremely desirable in the event of an issue. The visibility of the system status especially while I am away from the tank. I do have a Hydros collective that I utilize for some automation tasks and event triggered actions.

One big consideration was my wife said 'what about when we go on vacation" well automate to the hilt:)

 

[Science/G]

When I was a kid I used to walk ten miles up hill every day to collect natural seawater for water changes and catch my own zooplankton with an old tee shirt to feed my fish. Lol

 

[BryanM]

When I was a kid I used to walk ten miles up hill every day to collect natural seawater for water changes and catch my own zooplankton with an old tee shirt to feed my fish. Lol

Dang, that's both work and dedication!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

ATO is critical in my opinion to keep salinity stable throughout the day but you still have to make the water and manually fill the reservoir.

I manual dose and have been for two years. The Legal B(reef) 40 breeder is two years old today!

I do weekly 5 gallon water changes.

That being said i have a big trip coming up and i will be investing in doser. An upgrade is on the horizon and i can tell you more automation will be required to maintain my relative success withmore volume.

Automation becomes more important the more there is to do imo.

That’s how I feel with an ATO. With the amount of trips I take throughout the year there’s no way I could live without one. I probably should invest in a dose as well!

 

[mfinn]

For some people ( from my point of view) it's all about the tech.