In regarding automation, also keep in mind of the complexity (aka, work) and cost to setup and fine tune the maintenance.
I was just thinking about starting a simplest tank for LPS and zoa, with just a 10~20 gallon with a HOB filter, a circulation pump, and nothing else, bare bottom. And do a 10 gallon water change every week or two and call it a day. Water change may sound like not ULM, but two buckets every week or two is not that much, and in return it uses minimal equipments, and thus minimal maintenance on them. Maybe as the tank mature is needs less frequent water changes too?
Low maintenance can be achieved by comprehensive automation, but can also be simplify setup to bare minimal. I'm not sure which path you're taking, but probably worth to take both.
I was just thinking about starting a simplest tank for LPS and zoa, with just a 10~20 gallon with a HOB filter, a circulation pump, and nothing else, bare bottom. And do a 10 gallon water change every week or two and call it a day. Water change may sound like not ULM, but two buckets every week or two is not that much, and in return it uses minimal equipments, and thus minimal maintenance on them. Maybe as the tank mature is needs less frequent water changes too?
Low maintenance can be achieved by comprehensive automation, but can also be simplify setup to bare minimal. I'm not sure which path you're taking, but probably worth to take both.