Check it out, WiFi power strip - time/energy saver

[jhw1126]

Reefers have been using automated systems for as far back as I can remember, their origins simply didn't involve wifi. But reefers do so out of necessity, not because they are more advanced than fresh. Most freshwater systems simply do not require the same type of advanced (ie costly) set ups as marine, be it lighting, chillers, reactors, etc. My philosophy in this hobby has always been one of KISS, for the exact reason just stated;

you don't get my point, I am bashing on people who just blindly refusing to advance in the hobby and accept whatever they have is the norm, and put out salty comments to stop others doing so. wifi or not I always hear comments such as. "oh I did this for x amount of years and I think this is the best way to do things. you never know these device is going to fail blablabla, it's only been out for x amount of time"
in real life, these controllers (other automation gear) is been in the market for a long time...

it is just people being stubborn and not willing to accept new things while being proud of it, kind of hilarious. there is a huge difference between simply believed past experiences is the golden rule for everything vs acknowledging there is a more advanced way to keep freshwater aquarium and not proceeding to invest because of the cost or the knowledge required.

Btw typically reef keeping is more advanced in terms of the amount of knowledge you need to keep a successful system.

on the surface level, there are more water parameter variables to consider, and if we dive deeper like you mentioned ramping up and down lighting and reactor to improve water quality, dosing pump to stabilize and supplementing the needs of the corals, c02 reactor, etc.

But a reef tank can be set up without any automation you can do all of that by hand( or something like my upcoming project: an algae scrubber filter only SPS dominant system, let's see how it goes.....), is just more work needed to be done, like a lot..... which is why it encourages reef keepers to invest in automation gears to a point it becomes the norm.

As for the cost, like i said there are the high-end product that cost 2k like the apex or mass-produces product like your typical wifi strip/plug or custom setup such as Reef Pi, if you are willing to put some work.

do you know why i have time to type all of this?
because of idiots that are using their past experience as their only reference instead of learning new things. such as people who believe Covid-19 is a type of flu and use this isolation time as a holiday. our world is evolving so should we, fish keeping is just reflecting some of these aspects

 

[DN328]

It's true that reef tanks will have a higher requirement of parameters to sustain a thriving environment. Although it did not involve wi-fi years ago, this technology is now ubiquitous. Gourami's post, is good example of his use for this wi-fi technology - for him. Generally speaking one goal of automation (software/computer), is to increase reliability and efficiency of "accepted critical processes". With all the automation, there needs to be a better way to monitor how everything is working. I see that wi-fi enabled products will help to provide this telemetry. That is the reason for products like Apex to consolidate.

On a related note; I think freshwater has also benefited from products originally catered to reefers, whether we really need it or not. I use Ecotech's (freshwater) radion lights and versa pump for closed loop circulation. Sure there are other basic lights and pumps, but I like the form/design and programmable functions for my application. Also, the sump water level in the return pump chamber evaporates, the return pump will run differently due to head pressure. This changes the return flow and drain dynamics and therefore, not "dead silent" as I want it to be. I don't have salinity concerns, but use an ATO to keep the sump level constant and I only fill the reservoir every ~10 days rather than each day.

As mentioned, each person have varying priorities and use case for the technology that's out there.

 

[RD.]

you don't get my point, I am bashing on people who just blindly refusing to advance in the hobby and accept whatever they have is the norm, and put out salty comments to stop others doing so. wifi or not I always hear comments such as. "oh I did this for x amount of years and I think this is the best way to do things. you never know these device is going to fail blablabla, it's only been out for x amount of time"
in real life, these controllers (other automation gear) is been in the market for a long time...

Was that somehow directed at me? As previously stated I have been personally using controllers for many years, in fact long before most people on MFK had heard of them. The Medusa's that I use have been discontinued for over a decade I believe. lol Also, even though I am an old fart I attempt to stay on the cutting edge of this hobby as much as time permits. Read some of my numerous comments on nutrition on this site. Perhaps peruse some of my stickies on MFK, then come back & comment. A good example would be the probiotic thread that was made a sticky, several years ago, that is still going today. This is not me being stubborn, or not supporting technological advancements in the hobby. This is me saying that for me, devices such as the one posted here would be a waste of $$$, and a weak link in the chain that I don't need. I am fine with others doing & using whatever they want. No problem.
I'm not holding a gun to anyone's head, or saying that they don't have their place for some applications.

 

[jhw1126]

Was that somehow directed at me? As previously stated I have been personally using controllers for many years, in fact long before most people on MFK had heard of them. The Medusa's that I use have been discontinued for over a decade I believe. lol Also, even though I am an old fart I attempt to stay on the cutting edge of this hobby as much as time permits. Read some of my numerous comments on nutrition on this site. Perhaps peruse some of my stickies on MFK, then come back & comment. A good example would be the probiotic thread that was made a sticky, several years ago, that is still going today. This is not me being stubborn, or not supporting technological advancements in the hobby. This is me saying that for me, devices such as the one posted here would be a waste of $$$, and a weak link in the chain that I don't need. I am fine with others doing & using whatever they want. No problem.
I'm not holding a gun to anyone's head or saying that they don't have their place for some applications.

I am sorry if I sound a bit aggressive and probably let others feel uncomfortable reading it. Just very upset stuck at home for a few weeks and this topic really triggers me, brings me back to some terrible experiences I had in real life not too long ago

But that comment was not targeting anyone in this forum, but some other individuals who host one of the local aquarium clubs. You know, remove the aqurium part from the sentences, you can basically apply that to any encounter with ant stubborn individuals.

I am aware there are people who is contributing to make the hobby more enjoyable/easier, and I appreciated that. I started the hobby with little to no experience, and fourm like this really helps me out.

 

[RD.]

No worries, it's all good. I work in the front line of this pandemic so I understand better than most how it has been affecting people.