The biggest difference is it just takes longer to clean the tank since it’s larger. Everything else is about the same with automation. My 130 gallon takes about an hour a day if I’m really hands on, an hour a week when I’m busy.Ok all you experts, how much more work is a large tank compared to a small tank?
Let's say that I am willing to automate things. I would imagine water changes would be a big deal in a larger tank compared to my 26 gallon, so there's that.
Right now, for a 26 gallon AIO with plumbed UV, I spend a about 1-2 hours a week on required maintenance. That includes:
3.5x/week - feed, scrape glass if needed
1x/week - empty skimmate, make RODI, refill ATO, check additive level, replace filter floss, empty auto-tester waste, refill auto-tester RODI, check auto-tester reagent levels.
1x/month 4 gallon water change. Maybe.
That's honestly not much. If I am willing to automate, how much time would, say, a 200 gallon tank take comparatively? I have a great spot for an IM 200EXT Peninsula...