I apologize if this is the wrong forum for this. I am late to the game with some automation. I could never really afford a nice controller, and when my 5 year old reef tank sprung a leak, I went from a 40 (36 bow plus 5 gallon sump) to a 20-long with the survivors.
I am realizing that the smaller volume makes things trickier and precision and discipline (not always my strong suit) is going to be critical for the success of this tank.
So, I also had to move the tank since I didn't have a stand, and the wife wanted it out of the living room. It now occupies an old computer table I saved from school. It is pictured below. The frame is aluminum and the entire top is framed. You may not be able to see, but there is a back panel of aluminum for cross bracing. I have my light controllers velcroed to this with Command Strips. I try to keep it neat, but this is the usual state. The orange tackle box and the black box under the light switch are for miniature painting (another hobby). My lights and heater are on one surge protector, and the pumps, HOB filter (with skimmer-noisy, but small and works), and dual filter box that I use for carbon, Phos-guard, Purigen, etc.
Anyway, we jumped into Alexa world as an early Christmas present for ourselves when they went on sale and I have one in my office. I also bought a smart plug to try with it. After some tinkering, I have two cool things that really save my knees if I have to crawl under the table to turn the surge protector off with the switch.
1) I can say, "Alexa, turn off the aquarium pumps" and it shuts down the surge protector. That alone was cool and worth the $15 plug.
2) This morning, I set up a routine where I can say, "Alexa, it's time to feed the fish" and
The Future For This Space
This is my aquarium spot for a while. Some medical bills for both my wife and daughter mean not a lot of extra for the hobby. Still, I want to make the best of it. I am quickly learning that keeping a 20 gallon fine tuned for corals is harder than a 40 due to smaller volume. Here are some things I am working on and what I want to do.
Thanks for reading all this.
I am realizing that the smaller volume makes things trickier and precision and discipline (not always my strong suit) is going to be critical for the success of this tank.
So, I also had to move the tank since I didn't have a stand, and the wife wanted it out of the living room. It now occupies an old computer table I saved from school. It is pictured below. The frame is aluminum and the entire top is framed. You may not be able to see, but there is a back panel of aluminum for cross bracing. I have my light controllers velcroed to this with Command Strips. I try to keep it neat, but this is the usual state. The orange tackle box and the black box under the light switch are for miniature painting (another hobby). My lights and heater are on one surge protector, and the pumps, HOB filter (with skimmer-noisy, but small and works), and dual filter box that I use for carbon, Phos-guard, Purigen, etc.
Anyway, we jumped into Alexa world as an early Christmas present for ourselves when they went on sale and I have one in my office. I also bought a smart plug to try with it. After some tinkering, I have two cool things that really save my knees if I have to crawl under the table to turn the surge protector off with the switch.
1) I can say, "Alexa, turn off the aquarium pumps" and it shuts down the surge protector. That alone was cool and worth the $15 plug.
2) This morning, I set up a routine where I can say, "Alexa, it's time to feed the fish" and
- The pumps go off
- A 5 minute wait for spot feeding corals and letting things drift
- The pumps come back on.
The Future For This Space
This is my aquarium spot for a while. Some medical bills for both my wife and daughter mean not a lot of extra for the hobby. Still, I want to make the best of it. I am quickly learning that keeping a 20 gallon fine tuned for corals is harder than a 40 due to smaller volume. Here are some things I am working on and what I want to do.
- I have my first dosing pump tomorrow. I caught a flash sale on a Jubao DP-4. I know this is a cheap pump, but from what I have read, it's shortcomings are in its accuracy, not its consistency, and if it is hard to calibrate, I can at least adjust. I plan on several days of testing outside my tank before putting it on. I have also been drinking a few bottles of Voss water for some DIY dosing bottles.
- I also have Aquahub's Top-it-Off kit coming. This will be my first electrical DIY other then rewiring the occasional lamp my wife finds in a thrift store.
- I need to get my surge protector's off the floor. I know right now this isn't safe. It was an emergency situation. For organization, I am wondering about a small TV stand that would fit underneat this table. I could put electrical on the top shelf for drip loops, and having dosing bottles and ATO on the bottom. Any ideas here for cabinetry, etc., would be appreciated.
- Finally, do you use your Echo for anything besides switching on and off pumps? I know there are some Apex routines, but that is out of my budget. I also have an old C.H.I.P. computer I got as a promotional thing before they went under (I'm a high school science/tech teacher). It seems similar to a Raspberry Pi. I could also get one pretty economically. I have a buddy who has several.
Thanks for reading all this.
