Does reef automation float your boat?
- Thread starter Jon M.
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kkiel02
Active Member
I love them. I am lucky enough to work the DuPont schedule. So I am constantly switching from days to nights weekly. I can not always be home to test or do water changes, etc. This is why I love how far the hobby has come in the last 2-3 years. It gives me the data I need to do predictive maintenance vs doing reactive maintenance.
I also get to work with PLCs which is similar to an apex. I use a lot of the same fail safes we use at work so I feel pretty confident in my setup.
I also get to work with PLCs which is similar to an apex. I use a lot of the same fail safes we use at work so I feel pretty confident in my setup.
I don't have anything automated on my system yet. Except for my light which is on a light timer which barely qualifies. I want an ato, apex, kessil controller, sump, EVERYTHING.
I'll do that down the road when I have money.
I'll do that down the road when I have money.
Dr. Dendrostein
Marine fish monthly
1-2 year will jump in to automation. No controlling, just monitoring.
Sounds like you are more automated than a person that just uses their apex or ghl to monitor their tank. Having expensive products doesn’t mean you have an automated tank they just give you a way to automate different functions.
Rich Klein
Active Member
I have to agree with DHak. To each their own. I happen to love all of the gadgetry, and using it to micro manage my little slice of ocean paradise. I know that there are many others that don't like the technology, but there is definitely plenty of room for all of us. I can also say that I can't be in the minority, or there wouldn't be so many Reef technology vendors coming-out with new high-tech products.
Yikes.
When i read comments like this I know immediately its not a reefer to trust. The type of person who says this crap usually is too proud to admit the extent of issues they have day to day.
And/Or they're too cheap to invest in the stability of their ecosystem. ;)
Controllers are in no way necessary, thats true, but it doesnt mean people are lazy or they can't handle the other responsibilities in thier life.
Does adding smile/winky faces soften my judgmental tone? :)
/s
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Bouncingsoul39
Valuable Member
I don't trust the Q&A testing done by our hobby manufacturers. In general, it really sucks compared to other industries. Over the last fifteen years or so I've seen many more "my apex failed" threads than I have "my apex saved my tank". Just my observation, could be wrong. I understand people mostly come to the forums when there is a problem and are less likely to report the successes, but anyway, I don't trust 'em and would not automate anything other than water top off (tunze) and temperature if that's considered automation? Best preventative to disaster I think is to look at your tank once a day and "know it".
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Automation has become a heavy convenience on my behalf. Its like having a butler on hand to turn on and off various components
More importantly for me is having lights go on and off on a schedule comparable to the natural environment. It is also a cost savings as I don’t have lights on any longer than needed. Its nice to come home from work and moonlights are off and day schedule has begun.
We speak of stability and a light schedule is part of mine. Then the feeder, having it disburse food the same time each and every day. The list goes on. Automation allows me to spend more time enjoying my tank than having tasks that need to be tended to especially when away from home.
More importantly for me is having lights go on and off on a schedule comparable to the natural environment. It is also a cost savings as I don’t have lights on any longer than needed. Its nice to come home from work and moonlights are off and day schedule has begun.
We speak of stability and a light schedule is part of mine. Then the feeder, having it disburse food the same time each and every day. The list goes on. Automation allows me to spend more time enjoying my tank than having tasks that need to be tended to especially when away from home.
There are 2 things in this hobby which conflict they are needs and wants. I neither need nor want much in the way of automation. What automation I have means I can leave my tank in the knowledge my ATU will stop my sump running dry and my lights will come on and off without me having to do it manually. That's all I need anything else would be want and I dont want any wants esp tech but then I'm old school and have a limited budget. You pays your money and takes your pick but there are few needs in this hobby but you can have that many unlimited wants.
But the question I suppose is, if you did have the budget would you get into that side of it then. (which is possibly a hard question to answer due to bias)
Seems most who go the automated route normally have a larger budget and more expendable income.
It does seem the more automation there is, the healthier the tank inhabitants are and I suppose its peace of mind as well, you generally notice trends before something goes wrong if it's being monitored regularly.
The one thing I don't like is if a controller goes wrong then potentially everything goes wrong, I'm curious how many people have had their automation go wrong and perhaps that needs it's own thread , seems like a double edged sword except one side is not as sharp as the other.
And I guess there is a big difference between monitoring and automation.
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Simple question simple answer. I don't think I would go down the Apex etc route. I could save and buy one or go secondhand again buy saving up. I am old school brought up on mainly manual as I am a retired carpenter ( not that there is such a thing as retirement when you are from a building background) building projects manager. I like to be hands on and in control for the majority with little auto equipment as possible apart from the aforementioned. I wasn't brought up with computers but understand that's what a lot of people want these days and as long as people don't try to tell me they (controllers) a need then am fine with that. I go back 37/38 years in this hobby and lots has changed while something have hardly. Luddite am not quite however [emoji1]
Its quite possibly generational too. There are several people who would rather lug around actual books then a Kindle. I prefer a Kindle despite almost being 40. Its cooler. Its neat you can cram a thousand books into an 8 ounce tablet. Can I read once the battery goes? No. Do I care? No.
I can afford my automation and use it in addition to my manual reefing. My dad regularly complains about computers when he calls a company and gets a phone tree or when his laptop isn’t working right. However he does not complain about the computer in his car doing thousands of computations a minute to work his ABS or fuel injection system. I have never heard him once say, “Man I miss my manual drum brakes and carburetor!”
I can afford my automation and use it in addition to my manual reefing. My dad regularly complains about computers when he calls a company and gets a phone tree or when his laptop isn’t working right. However he does not complain about the computer in his car doing thousands of computations a minute to work his ABS or fuel injection system. I have never heard him once say, “Man I miss my manual drum brakes and carburetor!”
He doesn't need to maintain the computer in is car though. There is a difference.
You don’t maintain the computer in your aquarium controller either. It is very much and apples to apples comparison. Your car controller/computer gives you a warning (low fluids, hot engine, etc) just like and aquarium controller. For most of us the car computer doesn’t require custom code but for the most part aquarium controllers are plug and play now with wizards walking you through every step. They have the ability to have customization to out of the box settings (this is where a lot of people get in trouble and you hear horror stories). Car computers have the same ability if you know what you are doing (again not recommended if you don’t).
I really think the car computer analogy is spot on as they do the same thing. They give you early warning of issues and they automate some tasks that used to be very manual
Edit: by the way I’m not saying automation is necessary, it does make things easier if you don’t have the time and gives me peace of mind but like the analogy above there are a lot of people that like to work on old cars and do things manually.
I have 3 aquariums 2 fresh and 1 salt with no automation and very little control (heater and lights) so I know it isn’t needed. I just think people misunderstand what it brings to the hobby and when I see the work lazy and automation together I laugh because it is a lot of work to automate your tank and maintain that automation
Len
You don’t need to maintain the Apex or software of any other controller either. But if one little circuit in your ECM fails, something can go amiss. At some point we accept the help of automation/technology and accept the risks that come with it.
Wow R2R is getting a little hostile lately..
Some of these subjects are getting to be like politics. Sad.
I see both sides here...
Personally I do not rely on automation. I have seen too many loose it all or almost by relying on a controller.
I do use controllers though.
I agree with the side to a extent that too many are relying on technology and not learning about the hobby. I think it is another reason there is so much turn over in the hobby.
There is no reason though you cant have knowledge and still have some good equipment or some automaton.
I mean how many people use a ATO? That is automation correct?
I do see controller becoming less valuable as the controllers that come with the equipment have more features and options. To me a controller is becoming more about monitoring.
The controller market is starting to feel a little like a fad where people are falling for the marketing. Also got to have what the other has and not feel left behind.
Controllers are not needed but they can be a nice tool. . I run lots of tanks and mine without controllers run the same as those that do.
Some of these subjects are getting to be like politics. Sad.
I see both sides here...
Personally I do not rely on automation. I have seen too many loose it all or almost by relying on a controller.
I do use controllers though.
I agree with the side to a extent that too many are relying on technology and not learning about the hobby. I think it is another reason there is so much turn over in the hobby.
There is no reason though you cant have knowledge and still have some good equipment or some automaton.
I mean how many people use a ATO? That is automation correct?
I do see controller becoming less valuable as the controllers that come with the equipment have more features and options. To me a controller is becoming more about monitoring.
The controller market is starting to feel a little like a fad where people are falling for the marketing. Also got to have what the other has and not feel left behind.
Controllers are not needed but they can be a nice tool. . I run lots of tanks and mine without controllers run the same as those that do.
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No hostility but maybe massive passive aggressive opinions. I like these threads because they make people think and discuss. It only gets out of hand when people take it personally and are narrow minded.
I see both sides too. My original post was about the joy I get from automation. From there it has morphed into a discussion and that is ok.
What no probes keep clean or replace. I didn't know that.
Dr. Dendrostein
Marine fish monthly
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