Tank automation ideas

[gogol]

I would be leaving for 3 weeks around end September and am sullying my pants thinking of my state my aquarium would be in in that time frame.

I was thinking of the following investments:

1. Auto top off
2. 1 dolly for salt water
3. Calcium reactor ??
4. A controller (temp, pH and lights)
5. Couple of dinners with a friend who will tank-sit ;D

The first 2 are easy choices, 3rd I am not so sure of (may be weekly water changes can sort the issue for now) but the 4th one is a toughie.

I would like a controller that can do the following things:
1. Monitor and control temperature
2. Monitor and control pH
3. Light timing
4. Wave making(Optional)

I was looking at the AquaController III, which has a web interface to monitor the aquarium remotely.

Let me know of your thoughts and suggestions.

 

[JRWOHLER]

I am leaving Sunday so I feel your angst. :-X
ATO I have taken care of and while last year I had someone do my top offs I don't think I want it have anyone do it and overall it is much easier, a great upgrade.

I don't have a dolly but do have two brutes for water one salt one fresh that are hidden in my basement so that one is easy too.

I honestly wouldn't want to add a calcium reactor to my tank or any automated dosing right before I left. My observation is that a majority of the problems people have on vacation can be linked to some sort of calcium build up/clogging/or overdosing.
I dose two parts but really rely on water changes...think that lower calcium would be less disasterous then other problems that occure.

My controller I like the monitoring of PH but because I am not auto dosing anything I don't feel like I need to worry about that part of the controller. I got the ACjr. Think some sort of timer is a minimum but not super important to go on vacation to have a controller.

A friend to feed the fish is a must, but I have tanks inside and out so trying to have timers on all of them is out. Using pill boxes is the way I am going to go.(thanks Bill).

 

[gogol]

What are pill boxes?? My thoughts exactly on the reactor, but I would like the controller to have the ability to control pH so that I can eventually use it if I ever get a calcium reactor.

I am often struck with an unexplained lapse of interest, the automation also comes handy in those circumstances ;D

I would have a friend feed fishes and do the water changes.

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

The ATO and controller would be a must IMO. Whether the controllers are simple appliance timers for the lights and a temp controller to turn on a fan or chiller or an ACIII, I would definitely invest something. I had a Medusa temp controller for the fans and timers for the lights on my last tank. But the next tank will have a controller so that I can turn on fans when the water goes above 76 and then turn off lights when the temp gets above 79.
Skip the Ca reactor and put some kalk in the top off container. It should be enough supplement to get through the 3 weeks.

 

[ECFENCING]

As Jcurry states IMO is a good investment IMO but I don't think it is necessary for you to have before you leave on vacation.
An ATO is a must though. Just have enough ro/Di water on hand to last you until you get back.

Too many things can go wrong with a Calcium reactor while you are gone and for that matter if you get a controller and you do not program it correctly even something simple as turning your lights on and off it could have unintended consequences.

If you are dosing just have your friend follow your dosing schedule.

Make sure someone looks after it every other day or so and instruct him or her to call you in case something doesn't look right.

You could put a webcam on your tank and check it from
time to time but don't know if your significant other if you have one would approve.

 

[Hawkeye]

What are pill boxes??

That is those boxes you get for prescription meds - they usually have the days written on them - M,T,W,T,F etc.

You could then place dried pellets/flakes in each module so that when your sitter comes - they are not guessing the amount of food to feed.

 

[vangvace]

Depending on the pricepoint of the Aquacontroller 3 you're looking at it might be worth looking at the reefkeeper elite as well.

 

[steamman]

Auto top off is a must. Appliance timers for your lights are easy. I agree that auto dosing could be a problem and is not necessary.
In addition to your other concerns a battery backup may be in order. I use a upc from a computer. You need just enough to run your return pump in case of temporary power outage. It lasts about an hour. Good piece of mind.
I have used auto fish feeders (not the best choice) to feed the fish. I think the pill box is a great idea if you have people to do the feeding. Your sitters can't make a mistake if the portions are laid out for them. The only problem is if they miss a feeding and double up next time.
I will stay neutral on the controller. I recently went away for 15 days and didn't use one and had no problems. You did say you were leaving at the end of September. Heat should not be a big issue.
You should have everything proven before you go away. That way you are able to enjoy your trip. Also do a large water change the day before you go.
I did have someone who was looking after the cat make sure the lights were on and there was no water on the floor.
Have a great trip.

 

[Gecko]

Look into the Reefkeeper 2

 

[Sunny]

Depending on the pricepoint of the Aquacontroller 3 you're looking at it might be worth looking at the reefkeeper elite as well.

I heard there were issues with RK elite? Many people say that it does not do what is expected? Anyone has any opinions on it?

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

....You should have everything proven before you go away. That way you are able to enjoy your trip. Also do a large water change the day before you go....

I would not do anything the day before you leave especially a large water change or major maintenance. That's typically when you make a mistake and aren't around to notice it or correct it.
I would recommend that you do all the major maintenance well before you leave, at least 2 weeks before. That way if something does go wrong you can correct it.

 

[steamman]

Water changes should be second nature. It should be one of the simplest things we do.

When I said large water change I did not mean 1/2 the tank. Maybe 50% more than usual.

In 15 years in the hobby I have never had anything go wrong with a water change. Maybe I am just lucky. I guess should have been more clear with that statement on how much to change.

Why would you change water 2 weeks before you leave? ??? When you come back that would be 5 WEEKS between changes. Now you are talking potential problems. Now here comes that LARGE water change. I wouldn't leave water changes up to your sitter either. That could be the disaster you were waiting to happen .

The water change was the only thing I suggested the day before. I said everything else should be proven before you leave. That means in advance. I should have said as far in advance as you possibly can so you know everything is working properly.

My wife and I go away 3 times a year for at least a week at a time. And I have learned what to do and not to do. I have learned from my success and failures.
Take what I say with a grain of salt It is only my opinion. You know what they say about opinions. Everybody has one.

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

I would think if your leaving for an extended vacation you would have more on your mind than just the tank. It's easy to make a mistake when you're rushing around to get it done at the last minute. Most of the times I had issues with my tanks it was because I did some kind of maintenance the day before I left for a trip.

Personally I think if your tank can't go 4 or 5 weeks without a water change then it's over stocked. But that's just me.

 

[steamman]

I think you should have your tank and its inhabitants well being on your mind before you leave on vacation. If you are not thinking about that, maybe you should not be caring for these animals.
Would you leave your dog at home without making sure it was properly cared for and would be safe while you were away? Your livestock depends on you for their lives.
I don't think a simple water change the day before you leave would be considered rushing around. Maybe some of us can't chew gum and walk at the same time ( I didn't mean to offend anyone by saying that).
Why is this getting into a P*****g contest anyway? ???

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

Because your turning into one, I'm just giving my opinion. Trying to prove someones opinion wrong usually turns into a pissing contest.

 

[steamman]

I am not trying to prove you wrong. I was only giving my opinion just like you. Then you quoted me in your reply. I had to take that personally. I am not new to this hobby just new to this club. The advice I gave works for me. I made mistakes along the way and don't want to see anybody make them if I can help. I am not trying to give bad advice. I don't know it all. Do You? How about a truce here.

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

Then you quoted me in your reply. I had to take that personally.

I quoted you so that Gogol would know what particular part of your response I was replying to. Since I agreed with majority of your post.

Quotes don't necessarily mean a personal attack but responses like this can make someone think otherwise.

...I don't know it all. Do You?...

How about a truce here.

There's no need for a truce because I'm not out to get you or looking for a flame war. I've been a member of this club for over 15 years want to keep this board a freindly and helpful place for everyone.

 

[gogol]

Any ideas or forum threads to research controllers? How is the AquaController III ?

 

[Nickjr000]

Auto water change is easy. If you can put a bulkhead in your sump right above the highest water level ( Usually when return pump is off and some dt water runs back to the sump ). Now that bulkhead has to get plumed down hill ( the only way it will work is gravity )to a sump pump pit , sink , floor drain, some kinda drain. You need a vat of prepared saltwater with a pump in it. Plumb this pump in to your sump. But leave the plumbing only an inch or so into your sump so it can never get submerged and siphon back. Place this near your return pumps inlet so that most the water goes to your dt and not right out the drain. Now hook the pump up to a timer that you set when you want the pump to come on. Well you can work off this. I have this set up and it kicks on once a week about 15 gallons to freshen up my tanks water. All i do is add prepared saltwater to the vat to keep it full. I've learned with this hobby you have to be creative

 

[steamman]

I have never heard of auto water changes. How do you remove the water to be changed? Please make a sketch of the plumbing. Your description is not clear to me.