Does reef automation float your boat?

[trmiv]

I’ve been tempted but not exactly sure what I’d do with a controller. I of course use the control app on my Hydras, a ranco temp controller and a top off but I don’t know what else I’d do that would justify the cost of an apex. I’d be much more likely to buy an alkatronic or KH Director than a full controller because automated testing and adjustment of alk is really all I’m interested in.

 

[Jon M.]

I’ve been tempted but not exactly sure what I’d do with a controller. I of course use the control app on my Hydras, a ranco temp controller and a top off but I don’t know what else I’d do that would justify the cost of an apex. I’d be much more likely to buy an alkatronic or KH Director than a full controller because automated testing and adjustment of alk is really all I’m interested in.

I literally bought the Apex in anticipation of the Trident. Within two days it saved my tank identifying low watts on a brand new heater in the dead of winter. I woulda woke up to a 62 degree tank.

 

[trmiv]

I literally bought the Apex in anticipation of the Trident. Within two days it saved my tank identifying low watts on a brand new heater in the dead of winter. I woulda woke up to a 62 degree tank.

Luckily that isn’t much of a concern for me in Florida. Even in winter my tank wouldn’t drop under 72 without a heater and I doubt it would even get that low without me noticing since it would happen slowly. ;Happy

 

[JustAnt]

I luv tech but I don’t believe the controllers available today are for the mass market. They are still to complex and costly for average tank owners, IMO.

While I would love automation Especially in testing parameters I’m not gonna be a guinea pig with first gen product like the trident.

I follow the KISS (keep it simple stupid) to my reef tank. Manual water changes, manual testing, manual dosing. Just a skimmer and carbon reactor is all I use besides of course lights and gyre pumps.

 

[DylanE]

Call me old school but i can swing a hammer, dig a ditch, do my laundry, build my own house, pick up dog poo, gut a fish or deer.... I don't rely on tech nor other humans for my hobby (if it makes life easier) you must be a..... I don't rely on a nanny or baby sitter for my kids.. I'm 34 and have time for my wife, kids, furry pets, parents, moto x and reef... If your searching for that $$$ equipment to achieve something your too "lazy" to imo to deserve a reef! Yep im that guy :) happy reefing. P.s. money (equipment) wont make you you need to be one with yer fish!! P.s.s. Star Trek is fake! ;)

Lol. I’m a 29 year old ER doc and my wife and I operate a 40 acre ranch/vineyard. I probably get more done before noon than you do in a week. Being “lazy” in some hobbies allows me the flexibility to actually do them. But enjoying picking up your dog poop (?)

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Call me old school but i can swing a hammer, dig a ditch, do my laundry, build my own house, pick up dog poo, gut a fish or deer.... I don't rely on tech nor other humans for my hobby (if it makes life easier) you must be a..... I don't rely on a nanny or baby sitter for my kids.. I'm 34 and have time for my wife, kids, furry pets, parents, moto x and reef... If your searching for that $$$ equipment to achieve something your too "lazy" to imo to deserve a reef! Yep im that guy :) happy reefing. P.s. money (equipment) wont make you you need to be one with yer fish!! P.s.s. Star Trek is fake! ;)

Did you forget, "if you can't say something nice , don't. "

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Call me old school but i can swing a hammer, dig a ditch, do my laundry, build my own house, pick up dog poo, gut a fish or deer.... I don't rely on tech nor other humans for my hobby (if it makes life easier) you must be a..... I don't rely on a nanny or baby sitter for my kids.. I'm 34 and have time for my wife, kids, furry pets, parents, moto x and reef... If your searching for that $$$ equipment to achieve something your too "lazy" to imo to deserve a reef! Yep im that guy :) happy reefing. P.s. money (equipment) wont make you you need to be one with yer fish!! P.s.s. Star Trek is fake! ;)

Did you forget, "if you can't say something nice , don't. "

 

[Jon Fishman]

Call me old school but i can swing a hammer, dig a ditch, do my laundry, build my own house, pick up dog poo, gut a fish or deer.... I don't rely on tech nor other humans for my hobby (if it makes life easier) you must be a..... I don't rely on a nanny or baby sitter for my kids.. I'm 34 and have time for my wife, kids, furry pets, parents, moto x and reef... If your searching for that $$$ equipment to achieve something your too "lazy" to imo to deserve a reef! Yep im that guy :) happy reefing. P.s. money (equipment) wont make you you need to be one with yer fish!! P.s.s. Star Trek is fake! ;)

I have an Apex still in the box. Apprehensive about setting it up....... I don’t even own a computer...... I will probably set it up on the new tank so I can have an ATO, but we will see!

 

[Style185]

Lol. I’m a 29 year old ER doc and my wife and I operate a 40 acre ranch/vineyard. I probably get more done before noon than you do in a week. Being “lazy” in some hobbies allows me the flexibility to actually do them. But enjoying picking up your dog poop (?)

Lol. I’m a 29 year old ER doc and my wife and I operate a 40 acre ranch/vineyard. I probably get more done before noon than you do in a week. Being “lazy” in some hobbies allows me the flexibility to actually do them. But enjoying picking up your dog poop (?)

Your my hero

 

[Johnny M]

Could never figure out an apex. I'm an analog person in a digital world!! ;)

 

[Johnny M]

Did you forget, "if you can't say something nice , don't. "

IMHO , I wasn't offended. I think he was just being honest. Please let's all just chill and watch/work on our tanks.

 

[russell13]

Everything I have tried from an apex to an ATO system has really made life easier and a more stable tank.

 

[rcpalmer1]

What I don't understand; or maybe I do, a lack on competition, is why I can buy a bluetooth outlet for $7. It has power management, timers and more. But for apex power blocks have to me wired and cost $250.

 

[Oliver d]

Old school here dont need or want the automation.Controllers in my book are a waste of money.If I want a controller I will built my own ,just like I build my own LED light units and ATO and dosing pumps.A controller would only help me with the monitoring of the tank nothing else.I like my systems simply.

 

[Jinko]

What I don't understand; or maybe I do, a lack on competition, is why I can buy a bluetooth outlet for $7. It has power management, timers and more. But for apex power blocks have to me wired and cost $250.

Its a niche market.

 

[thegreyanenome]

There is something about loading my Apex up and seeing it all being done automatically. Its like Star Trek reefing to me. As I hear my DOS doing my auto water change I smile. Reading my Trident results makes me feel good. I gaze at my Radions watching the “sun set” on my tank. I know they are all failure points but I like it so much more than my 1994 20 gallon tall with an undergravel filter and fluorescent lights.

haha i heard they were great, if only i could afford one

 

[Signalhead]

Call me old school but i can swing a hammer, dig a ditch, do my laundry, build my own house, pick up dog poo, gut a fish or deer.... I don't rely on tech nor other humans for my hobby (if it makes life easier) you must be a..... I don't rely on a nanny or baby sitter for my kids.. I'm 34 and have time for my wife, kids, furry pets, parents, moto x and reef... If your searching for that $$$ equipment to achieve something your too "lazy" to imo to deserve a reef! Yep im that guy :) happy reefing. P.s. money (equipment) wont make you you need to be one with yer fish!! P.s.s. Star Trek is fake! ;)

Old school... I agree!

 

[Pntbll687]

The craziest I get is an ATO.

I'm on the younger side, 31, but all the tech stuff just doesn't interest me. I don't need to know that the temp in the tank changed by .2 degrees. I have a nano with t5 on an outlet timer, and a 190 with white/blue led's that have built in timers, and that's it.

I keep it simple, this way I don't have reasons to mess with the tank.

 

[siggy]

 

[SuncrestReef]

I love my Apex. I have 16 modules and have automated my system like crazy! Auto water changes, ATO, skimmer neck cleaner, skimmate locker to shut off skimmer when full, 6 optical sensors, 3 float switches, 2 leak detectors, 4 flow monitors, Trident controlling 2-part dosing, lights set for sunrise, daytime, sunset, and moon lighting, autofeeder, dual heaters for redundancy, fan for cooling, power outage detection, and alerting for everything.

Check out my weekly series of Apex programming tutorials here on R2R. A new topic is posted each Friday, and the latest installment covered ATK troubleshooting: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/neptu...torials-part-3-automatic-top-off-kit-atk.692/