Automated or Old School - What’s BEST for Your Reef Tank?
BRStv hosts, Jason, Josh and Brian discuss aquarium automation and share their personal experiences using technology in their aquariums. While automation can save you time and help you maintain a more stable environment, there are some inherent risks. How much tech is too much? How much time can you honestly spend maintaining your aquarium? Do you enjoy maintenance and tinkering with your tank or do you prefer to simply enjoy the view? What tasks or automation are the most important and which are extra? Answers to these questions and more in this episode of This or That with BRStv.
Automation or Old School?
Automation in saltwater reef aquariums involves using devices and systems to perform essential tasks, reducing manual effort, and ensuring consistent care for the tank's delicate ecosystem. By integrating automation, aquarists can maintain optimal water parameters, streamline feeding routines, and reduce the risk of human error, which is especially crucial for the sensitive inhabitants of a reef tank.
All of that sounds great but there are some things to consider when deciding what kind of automation to deploy on your own aquarium.
Auto Top-Off System (ATO)
Saltwater aquariums require daily replenishment of freshwater that is lost to evaporation to maintain water levels and a stable salinity. Using an ATO system is usually the first and most critical automation you can install on your reef tank. Anything that requires daily attention are prime candidates for automation because let's face it, most of us cannot commit to daily maintenance tasks. Additionally, freshwater top-off affects water chemistry which is critical to the health of your fish and corals.
Heater & Temperature Controller
Aquarium heaters require basic automation technology to operate. When the water reaches the ideal temperature range, the heating element is automatically switched off. When the water temperature falls below a certain range, the heating element is powered on. Just like the thermostat in your house.
Some heaters have built-in thermostats while others rely on external temperature controllers to oversee the operation of your heater. Just like an ATO, heaters are among the most critical devices to automate in your tropical reef aquarium. Unless you live somewhere tropical where ambient temperatures rarely fall out of the suitable range, having an automated water heating system is crucial for stability.
Additionally, you should always have a thermometer automatically monitoring the water temperature in your aquarium. This is aquarium husbandry 101 and a reliable thermometer is the way to go no matter what kind of tank you have. You might choose a basic glass thermometer or get something much fancier that will deliver water temperatures to your smartphone and alert you when temperatures have fallen out of range. Either way, monitor temperature at all times.
Dosing Pumps
Using programmable dosing pumps will help you maintain stability in your reef aquarium. The task of measuring and delivering 2-3 different additives multiple times a day will quickly become tedious if you choose to go the manual dosing route. Not to mention that one wrong measurement or missed dose can result in some pretty serious consequences for water chemistry and coral health.
The size of the tank and coral bioload does come into play when considering whether or not you need a dosing pump. Nano tanks with minimal coral can often be maintained without daily dosing. On the other hand, if your nano tank is jam-packed full of coral...the small water volume can work against you because water chemistry in small aquariums is much more volatile.
Going through the process of manual dosing and water testing is an important part of your reef aquarium journey. It allows you to become familiar with water chemistry and get a feel for how important this is for the long-term health of your tank. When first starting, manual dosing is the logical route. When you have a good grasp on the process and your tank matures, consider a programmable dosing pump to help you maintain a more stable environment.
Water Testing
In the last 10 years or so, we have only seen very reliable automatic water testing technology become available to reef aquarists. While we have had digital thermometers, colorimeters, and monitors available for quite some time, completely automated water testing for parameters such as salinity, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, etc. requires some pretty advanced testing equipment. This is also some of the most expensive automation equipment which is why automating all of your water testing is usually reserved for the most advanced reef aquarium owners.
Like dosing, manual water testing is an important part of the reef aquarium journey because it forces you to become familiar with water chemistry and your specific aquarium. Generally speaking, you will want to monitor temperature and pH at all times using digital monitors. Test your salinity at least once per week with a refractometer. Test alkalinity, calcium, and nitrates on a bi-weekly basis using a classic liquid test kit or digital colorimeter. Past that, the best testing schedule will vary from tank to tank. When performing manual water tests, it's a good idea to keep a log to physically record your test results over time.
Recommended Liquid Titration & Color Reference Test Kits
Recommended Digital Colorimeters & Monitors
Recommended Fully Automated Water Testing
Water Changes
Water changes are probably one of the most neglected maintenance tasks while also being among the most critical for the health of an aquarium.
Why do hobbyists neglect water changes?
Water changes take time; you need to plan ahead and mix your saltwater, be prepared to dispose of the dirty water and have all of the necessary equipment ready to go. For this very reason, the idea of automating water exchanges is quite attractive. That being said, it's an easier said than done situation.
Automating water exchanges requires multiple dosing pumps and the corresponding water lines going in and out of your aquarium. You will need somewhere to pump the dirty water and always have clean saltwater mixed and ready to go at all times. There are lots of extra cords, tubes, and containers to deal with. Not to mention regular calibration and pump maintenance are critical to ensure the water exchanges are being performed safely and accurately. Close monitoring of salinity is also required to be successful.
If you do decide to automate your water changes, do your research and set up a system that makes it easy to monitor and maintain. Clean and calibrate your pumps often and closely monitor your aquarium's salinity level. Having an efficient saltwater mixing station with sturdy water storage bins will make it much easier to maintain as well.
Most Popular AWC Systems
For those of you performing your water changes the good old fashioned way, remember your coral and fish depend upon you to stay alive. This weekly task will force you to closely observe and interact with your aquarium which can be incredibly beneficial for the long-term health of your tank. You are much more likely to notice any changes when you closely observe your tank regularly. Relying on automation will naturally make it easier to "set it and forget it" which isn't always the best approach for spotting fish and coral health issues and identifying pests before they get out of hand.
Automatic Fish Feeders
Using automatic feeders is great for when you're going on vacation and they can help spread out the food delivery over multiple feedings throughout the day. That said, you are limited to dry foods and they often lead to some level of food waste.
Manually feeding your fish is the only 1v1 interaction you get with your beloved aquarium pets. Feeding fish is fun! Adults and children alike enjoy watching and engaging with feeding fish. You can also use this regular feeding time to observe your pet's health and identify pests. Most aquarists reserve automatic water feeders for vacation or they will supplement an auto feeder with manual frozen foods regularly.
Aquarium Controllers
An aquarium controller is essentially a computer that is programmed and dedicated to monitoring your aquarium and controlling aquarium equipment. Comprehensive aquarium controllers such as the flagship Neptune Systems Apex will monitor all of the most critical parameters and components of your aquarium. They are capable of notifying you via a smartphone from anywhere in the world. This gives you 24/7 peace of mind that your aquarium pets are safe and your equipment is operating correctly.
Rather than managing multiple pieces of equipment with different controllers and apps, an aquarium controller centralizes your automation and allows you to access everything via a single app or online interface. While more and more aquarium equipment is "smart" right out of the box, having a centralized interface and 24/7 monitoring via a comprehensive controller is one the best investments you can make to protect your aquarium and streamline your aquarium husbandry routine.
Controllers might feel intimidating at first but the short learning curve is worth it and will only advance your reefing skills so you can create that impressive coral garden you have always envisioned.
Learn More: Monitor vs Controller: Which Neptune Systems A3 Apex Would Your Fish and Coral Choose?
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