Integrating Technology: How Smart Devices Are Changing Reef Keeping

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Reef controllers have been a staple in the hobby for over a decade, but the tech world doesn’t stand still. With smart devices becoming more common in everyday life, reefers are starting to expect more from their gear too.

Most major controllers already have an app. Most lights do too. But as we move from “smart” to smarter, what does that next step look like?

What are you expecting from reef equipment manufacturers when it comes to keeping up with current tech trends?
Voice control? AI automation? Better integration between brands? Predictive alerts?

Let’s also talk real-world use:
Which smart devices are you currently using in your tank—and how have they changed your reefing experience?
Have they made things easier? Given you peace of mind? Introduced new frustrations?

Whether you’re fully automated or just dabbling in WiFi gadgets, this is a chance to dream a little, and share some practical wins (or fails) from your reef tech journey.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I greatly appreciate any device that can tell me remotely that it is working properly. INKBIRD temp controllers with wifi, for example.

 

[Liftoff]

I am still quite new to the hobby so take this with a grain of salt (lol):
My feeling is that there is a lot of data on reef2reef and other forums alike that if trained to an AI (or already happened?!) can potentially help with doing research on many topics especially for beginners.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I am fascinated by the fact that I can be away from my tank and still be able to monitor what's going on with it.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I already have voice control with my Apex. The Amazon Echo has an app for it. :)

 

[vlangel]

I can't believe I am even posting in this thread since I am so old school. However I used to have an Ink bird temperature controller until it broke but would like to get another. If there is one piece of equipment that scares me, it's the heater. My only crash was from a heater malfunction back in the late 90s.
I also have a ReefBreeder Photon LED light fixture. Mine is controlled with a remote but it still comes on and automatically goes to my settings after the power goes off. That is a step up from using timers for the different bulbs.
So these 2 pieces of equipment have enhanced my reef experience.

ATO have always been a disappointment for me. I have tried both the sensor and the float valve type but I have found both to malfunction and so now I don't trust them. I went back to the old school way of dealing with evaporation by using glass tops. With those I add 1 gallon of top off water a week which is just as easy as using a 1 gallon reservoir of ATO water. I was afraid to have a bigger ATO reservoir as I have had them malfunction and dump 5 gallons into my 80 gallon system and although it did not kill stuff it was not good for it.
Also as a past aquarium tech, I saw folks system's crashed by malfunction ATOs.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I already have voice control with my Apex. The Amazon Echo has an app for it. :)

Noted! I didn't know you could voice control it with an Echo

 

[Reefer Matt]

Noted! I didn't know you could voice control it with an Echo

You just have to give your outputs aliases in Fusion, then setup routines in “Alexa”. Or you can say “Alexa Tell Apex Fusion…” to turn on feed cycles, etc. I made an overview video of it a year ago too.

 

[Llyod276]

Sounds like a good way to fry a system...
Maybe its just me but when i ask alexa anything she just laughs at me and calls the cops.

 

[GSPClown94]

The robot in that pic would try to adjust alk to 8.2 meq/l