Question of the Day How have you automated your aquarium?

[Art]

We all know it can be extremely tedious to do your maintenance manually, especially with bigger tanks. Sometimes it's a discouragement to newbies. I had one tell me once, "Oh no! Now I have to mow the lawn in my aquarium too?!!"

Let's share some tips and experiences. How have you automated your aquarium maintenance/operation?​

I'll start.

As my tanks are small, I can get away with a 5 gallon water change. I use a Neptune Systems utility pump to pump water up into the tank from the bucket so I don't have to lift those 40+ pounds and make a mess. It then helps me drain it in the kitchen sink.

I use a Neptune Apex to monitor and control aquarium "things". It controls pH and CO2. I monitor temperature. It controls the lights. I doses fertilizer into the aquarium. I have a Neptune AFS that adds food daily. Finally, it has two sensors on the floor monitoring for leaks.

If anything is wrong, it alerts me via email and SMS and takes an automatic action with the aquarium.

 

[ayman.roshdy]

My automation is much simpler:

• I have a water pump, whenever I make water changes, the tank water into the pump through the hose then into the sink, to fill the tank; I remove the pump and the hose is plugged into the water supply
• I use a mechanical timer for the lights
• I use a mechanical timer for the CO2 injection connected to a CO2 solenoid
• I use a fish feeder operated using normal AA batteries that feed the fish either once every 24 hours or once every 12 hours
• Nothing for the ferts, I do this manually

 

[GreggZ]

My automation is much simpler:

• I have a water pump, whenever I make water changes, the tank water into the pump through the hose then into the sink, to fill the tank; I remove the pump and the hose is plugged into the water supply
• I use a mechanical timer for the lights
• I use a mechanical timer for the CO2 injection connected to a CO2 solenoid
• I use a fish feeder operated using normal AA batteries that feed the fish either once every 24 hours or once every 12 hours
• Nothing for the ferts, I do this manually

You might consider running a smart power strip. I am so glad I did years ago.

Replaced this:




With this.....................

 

[Quagulator]

I use float valves to automate my RO filling - plumbed my RO directly into my house plumbing, ran tubing through the walls into a storage closet in the basement, I have a pond water fall pump that pushes the RO through 20-30' of tubing into my tanks.

I also use a smart Wifi power strip to control lights / CO2 on my phone.

I use a single shut off switch for all my filters so with 1 switch, I am ready for maintenance.

 

[GreggZ]

Besides a smart power strip the only other thing I consider somewhat automated is my RO set up.

2 x 55 gallon drums in the basement. RO also services kitchen, so a solenoid on a smart power strip only allows the RO drums to fill over night. During the day it only goes to the household RO storage tank.

Two PEX pipes are run from the basement inside the wall up to just above the tank. There is permanent pump in both the aquarium and the storage tanks. One switch to drain tank down to basement drain, one switch to pump water up into the tank. A lot more work upfront, but a LOT less work every water change.

Inside the 55 gallon drums are powerheads and a powerful air pump, also on the smart strip. All macros and Ca/Mg are dosed right into the drums after a water change, so water is preset to my preferred levels when it gets pumped up into the tank. The powerheads help mix it well and dissolve the macros. The air pump ensures that the water is well oxygenated when it goes up into the tank.

I've had this set up for many years and many times I still get a grin as I sit and watch the tank empty and fill!

Note: The remineralization filter was removed when I went to zero dKH .

 

[Art]

Is that a Wolverines helmet I see in the background!

 

[GreggZ]

Is that a Wolverines helmet I see in the background!

Yes indeed Art......GO BLUE!!!