I want to set up the MOST AUTOMATED reef tank with the new up-to-date equipments

CyberGuy · 11/08/2018, 10:03 PM

Hello folks. My reef tank recently crashed and I want to start all over. I will be getting a brand new 4'x2'x2' tank and would like to set up a 60-70% sps tank.

I have not kept up with the latest technology in the reef hobby and so my knowledge of the latest equipment is a little rusty.

My main goal now is to set up a really advanced tank. I would like it to be as AUTOMATED as much as possible.

I do not worry much about the cost. I realize that getting good reliable and advanced techs would cost a lot of money so I am prepare to pay.

So if any reef gurus out there that if you have a chance to start a reef tank from scratch in November of 2018 and would make it as automated as much as possible, what equipments would you buy?

Please provide the model of the equipments if possible....and a url link to buy them would be great.

At this point, I just want to set up the reef tank that I mainly just want to 1. feed the fish, 2. clean the glass, and 3. do water changes as appropriate.

Of course I would also have to do some periodic water testing and do auto top off but I want the latest tech to do the monitoring, warnings, dosing, auto lighting, back ups, etc....so that I can enjoy the tank without much stress.

Again, I am willing to pay....so please advice....thank you very much.

tkeracer619 · 11/08/2018, 11:59 PM

I'd run...

A couple Ecotech MP40QD powerheads.
Ecotech Vectra L1 return.
Radion LEDs, AI Leds, ATI T5, Or Radium 250w 20k metal halides on m80 ballast.
Calcium Reactor with masterflex feed pump and a two stage regulator with the aquarium plants carbon doser add on box.
I'd use an aquamedic kalkwasser reactor for top off fed by a masterflex peristaltic and dual float switches from autotopoff.com
Use an auto water changer.
Apex or GHL controller with salinity, orp, and all the fixins.
Royal exclusive skimmer
Nice set of media reactors.

Oh and hire a great maintenance company because no matter how many gadgets you put on the tank you still have to do maintenance.

d-man · 11/09/2018, 02:42 PM

If you are in the LA area hire Jim stime. La fishguy.

sfdan · 11/10/2018, 12:58 PM

The equipment I have that makes life for my SPS tank easiest:

- Alkatronic. It tests Alkalinity 3x per day so I don't have to.
- Calcium reactor/peristaltic pump/high quality regulator. This system basically is set-it-and-forget-it, especially when paired with automatic alkalinity testing. To keep all my parameters locked in all I do is adjust the bubble rate of my regulator a couple times a month.

I'd also consider spending money on redundancy. Two heaters. Two return pumps. Battery backup for your powerheads. If you want to get really fancy, two or more separate circuits so if the GFCI trips on one of them it doesn't take down your whole tank. For me I consider part of having an automated tank is having a tank that is protected from all sorts of common failure points.

And of course you should have a controller running all of this. I'm quite happy with my Apex but there are other options.

jamie1981 · 11/14/2018, 09:52 PM

Why would you want to still have to clean the glass? lol Robo snail!

But sounds like a lot of equipment to maintain and keep calibrated. lol If you want low maintenance KISS and forgo all the fancy stuff.

ca1ore · 11/14/2018, 11:13 PM

If you want automated then either apex or ghl. I personally prefer apex because apparently I don’t think like the Germans. Redundancy is critical, in as many places as possible.

hottuna · 11/15/2018, 12:01 PM

"My main goal now is to set up a really advanced tank. I would like it to be as AUTOMATED as much as possible."
just because it has all the latest electronic gadgets hooked up to it -doesn't make it advanced...
automated is convenient...but no recipe for success either..
I'm afraid some people think they have to have all the latest and greatest stuff in order to have their tank be a success...or if the under the tank/sump area looks like a mini nuclear reactor their tank is somehow gonna do better..I also see a trend towards colored plumbing parts and different color acrylic sumps...All of that means Nothing...Keep it simple...automate to make it more enjoyable if you wish...but gadgets do not make a reef successful..

jacksonpt · 11/15/2018, 12:52 PM

Are you willing/able to "code" for the controller? If not, most of this conversation is moot.

Fishbulb2 · 11/16/2018, 02:00 PM

My tank is fully automated thus allowing me to spend all my time maintaining my automating equipment.

FB

Daimyo68 · 11/16/2018, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfdan

The equipment I have that makes life for my SPS tank easiest:

- Alkatronic. It tests Alkalinity 3x per day so I don't have to.
- Calcium reactor/peristaltic pump/high quality regulator. This system basically is set-it-and-forget-it, especially when paired with automatic alkalinity testing. To keep all my parameters locked in all I do is adjust the bubble rate of my regulator a couple times a month.

I'd also consider spending money on redundancy. Two heaters. Two return pumps. Battery backup for your powerheads. If you want to get really fancy, two or more separate circuits so if the GFCI trips on one of them it doesn't take down your whole tank. For me I consider part of having an automated tank is having a tank that is protected from all sorts of common failure points.

And of course you should have a controller running all of this. I'm quite happy with my Apex but there are other options.

That Alkatronic is a pretty nice piece of equipment.

xsentrixsupra · 11/17/2018, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbulb2

My tank is fully automated thus allowing me to spend all my time maintaining my automating equipment.

FB

haha true story! Not just in reefing but everything. The more automated and complicated it is, the more on it can break

Spyderturbo007 · 11/19/2018, 10:04 AM

I'd recommend the Neptune Apex with a DOS and if you're feeling frisky, add the Trident when it comes out.

I have the same setup (minus the trident) and about once a month, I walk downstairs, flip a valve, add some salt and I'm done until the next month. Water changes are automatic, as is ATO. I still have to test and feed the fish, but I'm seriously considering upgrading my Apex to the newer model so I can add the Trident when it is available.

11/08/2018, 10:03 PM	#1
CyberGuy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 149	I want to set up the MOST AUTOMATED reef tank with the new up-to-date equipments Hello folks. My reef tank recently crashed and I want to start all over. I will be getting a brand new 4'x2'x2' tank and would like to set up a 60-70% sps tank. I have not kept up with the latest technology in the reef hobby and so my knowledge of the latest equipment is a little rusty. My main goal now is to set up a really advanced tank. I would like it to be as AUTOMATED as much as possible. I do not worry much about the cost. I realize that getting good reliable and advanced techs would cost a lot of money so I am prepare to pay. So if any reef gurus out there that if you have a chance to start a reef tank from scratch in November of 2018 and would make it as automated as much as possible, what equipments would you buy? Please provide the model of the equipments if possible....and a url link to buy them would be great. At this point, I just want to set up the reef tank that I mainly just want to 1. feed the fish, 2. clean the glass, and 3. do water changes as appropriate. Of course I would also have to do some periodic water testing and do auto top off but I want the latest tech to do the monitoring, warnings, dosing, auto lighting, back ups, etc....so that I can enjoy the tank without much stress. Again, I am willing to pay....so please advice....thank you very much.

11/08/2018, 11:59 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I'd run... A couple Ecotech MP40QD powerheads. Ecotech Vectra L1 return. Radion LEDs, AI Leds, ATI T5, Or Radium 250w 20k metal halides on m80 ballast. Calcium Reactor with masterflex feed pump and a two stage regulator with the aquarium plants carbon doser add on box. I'd use an aquamedic kalkwasser reactor for top off fed by a masterflex peristaltic and dual float switches from autotopoff.com Use an auto water changer. Apex or GHL controller with salinity, orp, and all the fixins. Royal exclusive skimmer Nice set of media reactors. Oh and hire a great maintenance company because no matter how many gadgets you put on the tank you still have to do maintenance. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

11/14/2018, 11:13 PM	#6
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	If you want automated then either apex or ghl. I personally prefer apex because apparently I don’t think like the Germans. Redundancy is critical, in as many places as possible. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

11/15/2018, 12:01 PM	#7
hottuna Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,248	"My main goal now is to set up a really advanced tank. I would like it to be as AUTOMATED as much as possible." just because it has all the latest electronic gadgets hooked up to it -doesn't make it advanced... automated is convenient...but no recipe for success either.. I'm afraid some people think they have to have all the latest and greatest stuff in order to have their tank be a success...or if the under the tank/sump area looks like a mini nuclear reactor their tank is somehow gonna do better..I also see a trend towards colored plumbing parts and different color acrylic sumps...All of that means Nothing...Keep it simple...automate to make it more enjoyable if you wish...but gadgets do not make a reef successful.. __________________ HotTuna

11/15/2018, 12:52 PM	#8
jacksonpt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Vestal, NY Posts: 3,679	Are you willing/able to "code" for the controller? If not, most of this conversation is moot. __________________ Jackson - All advice I give is based on my first hand experience. YMMV. Current Tank Info: 38g (mostly LPS) with a 20g sump/fuge and all the other standard goodies

11/09/2018, 02:42 PM	#3
d-man Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Diego, ca Posts: 2,732	If you are in the LA area hire Jim stime. La fishguy.

11/10/2018, 12:58 PM	#4
sfdan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: San Francisco Posts: 451	The equipment I have that makes life for my SPS tank easiest: - Alkatronic. It tests Alkalinity 3x per day so I don't have to. - Calcium reactor/peristaltic pump/high quality regulator. This system basically is set-it-and-forget-it, especially when paired with automatic alkalinity testing. To keep all my parameters locked in all I do is adjust the bubble rate of my regulator a couple times a month. I'd also consider spending money on redundancy. Two heaters. Two return pumps. Battery backup for your powerheads. If you want to get really fancy, two or more separate circuits so if the GFCI trips on one of them it doesn't take down your whole tank. For me I consider part of having an automated tank is having a tank that is protected from all sorts of common failure points. And of course you should have a controller running all of this. I'm quite happy with my Apex but there are other options.

11/14/2018, 09:52 PM	#5
jamie1981 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 308	Why would you want to still have to clean the glass? lol Robo snail! But sounds like a lot of equipment to maintain and keep calibrated. lol If you want low maintenance KISS and forgo all the fancy stuff.

11/16/2018, 02:00 PM	#9
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	My tank is fully automated thus allowing me to spend all my time maintaining my automating equipment. FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

11/19/2018, 10:04 AM	#12
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	I'd recommend the Neptune Apex with a DOS and if you're feeling frisky, add the Trident when it comes out. I have the same setup (minus the trident) and about once a month, I walk downstairs, flip a valve, add some salt and I'm done until the next month. Water changes are automatic, as is ATO. I still have to test and feed the fish, but I'm seriously considering upgrading my Apex to the newer model so I can add the Trident when it is available.