How much would it cost to fully automate a reef tank?
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GlassMunky
2500 Club Member
I call BS.
You’re not even able to make a fully automated testing unit that tests all parameters (calcium, alk, mag, nitrate & phosphate) and doses based off those numbers for under $400?!? Better tell hydros and apex now if you can and get that big check...
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GARRIGA
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My approach is zero water changes beyond that needed like loss due to cleaning equipment. Build filtration that solves nutrient waste. Periodic ICP-MS to identify ion imbalance. Not for everyone but employed by some.
Otherwise one runs the risk of turning their house into a make shift lab and my wife having none of that. Getting grief as we speak because I have equipment lying around for next build yet she wants to change floors and paint walls and looks at me as if I'm the problem
Otherwise one runs the risk of turning their house into a make shift lab and my wife having none of that. Getting grief as we speak because I have equipment lying around for next build yet she wants to change floors and paint walls and looks at me as if I'm the problem
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Gumbies R Us
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I've got a bathroom slowly turning into a storage closet for tank equipment. My wife eventually brought down a storage container, stuck it on our counter, and started putting most of what we had in it to free space up.My approach is zero water changes beyond that needed like loss due to cleaning equipment. Build filtration that solves nutrient waste. Periodic ICP-MS to identify ion imbalance. Not for everyone but employed by some.
Otherwise one runs the risk of turning their house into a make shift lab and my wife having none of that. Getting grief as we speak because I have equipment lying around for next build yet she wants to change floors and paint walls and looks at me as if I'm the problem
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GlassMunky
2500 Club Member
Ok well good for you, but that’s not the question that was asked.
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Reefer Matt
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Just like any other equipment, there is a huge variance in pricing. My guess is around $1-2k USD if getting used. I don’t believe any tank can be fully automated to where it won’t require human intervention though. Something usually happens. But automated equipment simplifies certain tasks like dosing, feeding, and testing though.
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I think that it was a very loaded question. In my mind, it depends on your system size and various methods. This is what I’ve automated:
1. Water changes: none, I don’t do WCs
2. Dosing: calcium reactor. I still have to change the media & CO2 every 11-12 months though
3. Water testing: Trident. Still need to replace reagents and empty the waste container
4. Filter socks: use filter floss, toss out every week (or two)
5. Skimmer: need to clean the collection cup. I don’t have a head cleaner (yet)
6. Monitoring and control: Apex — gotta have observability & remote control, esp on vacation!
In the end, you’ll still need to perform some manual tasks but less frequent. Cost? Again, it depends; but if you insist on a number, it’s between $2-3k on the initial investment + ongoing supplies. I don’t think you can “fully automate” yet but you can start with something you hate doing. For me — water changes, dosing, and testing!
1. Water changes: none, I don’t do WCs
2. Dosing: calcium reactor. I still have to change the media & CO2 every 11-12 months though
3. Water testing: Trident. Still need to replace reagents and empty the waste container
4. Filter socks: use filter floss, toss out every week (or two)
5. Skimmer: need to clean the collection cup. I don’t have a head cleaner (yet)
6. Monitoring and control: Apex — gotta have observability & remote control, esp on vacation!
In the end, you’ll still need to perform some manual tasks but less frequent. Cost? Again, it depends; but if you insist on a number, it’s between $2-3k on the initial investment + ongoing supplies. I don’t think you can “fully automate” yet but you can start with something you hate doing. For me — water changes, dosing, and testing!
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Well, technically — you can “automate” the whole thing by hiring someone else to service the tank!
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You would need an apex with a trident and 2 dos at a minimum. 1 dos for the auto water changes, and another dos for your 2 part. You might need a 3rd dos if you’re looking to include mag/3 or 4 part or some other dosing like aminos or whatnot. Or whatever equivalent is from a different brand. About 1800-2000 depending on how you spec it.
You also need a water mixing station with a minimum of 2 brute cans and a return pump and plumbing plus an ato that can draw water from your RO bin assuming you don’t want to fill up ato bin every week under your tank. You probably want a solenoid and some sensors to notify you when the bins are low and to automatically refill your RO bin. I would estimate about 400-500 to do this right.
Autofeeder of your choice. Some are 40 bucks. I love my plank but it’s 200 bucks
You also need a water mixing station with a minimum of 2 brute cans and a return pump and plumbing plus an ato that can draw water from your RO bin assuming you don’t want to fill up ato bin every week under your tank. You probably want a solenoid and some sensors to notify you when the bins are low and to automatically refill your RO bin. I would estimate about 400-500 to do this right.
Autofeeder of your choice. Some are 40 bucks. I love my plank but it’s 200 bucks
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I think a vast majority can be automated with an apex, trident, and 2 DOS, plus an autofeeder. This takes care of Alk and Calcium dosing, water changes, and feeding. It assumes you are handy enough to rig up your own salt mixing station and reservoir with minimal cost (brute can, pump, and PVC), and you already have an ATO. Buying used, I think it can be done for less than $2000. You will still need to manage nitrate and phosphate testing manually, but if your tank doesn’t have a history of nutrient issues, I think this task is once/month or less.
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W
If you can find it cheaper/used and use the cheaper valves then it’s probably in the 200 range
2 Dos (it likely will end up as 3) plus an apex and trident is about 1800-2000 depending on the units chosen. Less if you can find it used obviously
i couldn’t find 55 gal brutes for under 100 each when i last looked. Combine that with a pump and you’re at about 250. Plus plumbing and bulk heads and a platform closer to 300. Closer to 400 if you use the better schedule 80 valves. If you want sensors and solenoids to kick on to further automate at its pushing 500
If you can find it cheaper/used and use the cheaper valves then it’s probably in the 200 range
2 Dos (it likely will end up as 3) plus an apex and trident is about 1800-2000 depending on the units chosen. Less if you can find it used obviously
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