How automated is your tank?

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

I guess timers for lights are the basics of automation. Who doesn't have them and why?

Also, we see automatic water changers - what's holding you back to install one?

Some canister filters come with USB port for data mining and programming - useful or just a toy?

--> Discuss how automated your set-up is, and why

HarleyK

 

[Iffrat]

You know i really love my fish as pets .. so even something as simple as turning on the lights when i get home is a joy for me .. so i dont use timers ... really there is nothing automated about my tanks other then i use canister filters on my 2 big ones .. i guess they are a little more automated then the old style filtration methods ..

i enjoy the little things about the hobby .. and that even includes cleaning and water changes ...

and .. if i had a auto top off system .. i would have to find a new way to spend a few hours cleaning up the water that i forgot i was filling/draining from/to my tanks that happens about once a month ..

 

[gt1009]

Mine are 0% automated. I don't got the cash for them fancy timers and stuff.

 

[Deaths Sting]

i do have timers on all my tanks for the lights. their dirt cheap at the hardware store, so why not? im not always home to to turn my lights on and off, that's why i use timers.

Water changes are pretty basic for me, it takes 15 minutes to do one on my 120. plus, i like doing them most of the time, so i don't really have a need for a automated system.

i don't need anything that fancy on my tanks to keep myself and my fish happy. clean water, space, good food and lots of filtration.. that's about it..

 

[jclyde13]

The most fancy piece of technology on my tank is my fx5. I don't especially enjoy the extra work (though I do think that having everything basically done for you would kind of suck the fun out of the hobby), but I can't afford all the new tech, and don't have enough electric outlet space to add more plugs (I only have one free outlet as it is, and I am already using an extension thing with 6 outlets). Also, I think having a USB port on my filter would be an electrical hazard, I forget to close the shutoff valves before disconnecting the hoses on my fx5 about once every 2-3 months...

 

[iloveoscars702]

lol timers are only 5 dollars at petsmart. so yeah. thats the only automated part on my tank.

 

[jclyde13]

i do have timers on all my tanks for the lights. their dirt cheap at the hardware store, so why not? im not always home to to turn my lights on and off, that's why i use timers.

Water changes are pretty basic for me, it takes 15 minutes to do one on my 120. plus, i like doing them most of the time, so i don't really have a need for a automated system.

i don't need anything that fancy on my tanks to keep myself and my fish happy. clean water, space, good food and lots of filtration.. that's about it..

Wow it takes me at least 2 hours to do a wc on my 220, though I assume you use a python so that makes it go faster, but I only use 3 5g buckets for my wc's so it takes forever.I am going to do one tomorrow and it will probably take 3 hours b/c I also have to clean my filters.

 

[iloveoscars702]

Wow it takes me at least 2 hours to do a wc on my 220, though I assume you use a python so that makes it go faster, but I only use 3 5g buckets for my wc's so it takes forever.I am going to do one tomorrow and it will probably take 3 hours b/c I also have to clean my filters.

why not by a python? or just buys some clear vinyl hoses to help the process?

 

[jsodwi]

Light timers on all of my tanks.
Cooling fan on a timer under my 750g to pull out some of the heat since it is completely closed in under the tank
2gph drip system 50% complete on my 750g. Can't wait til its done. When my job is busy again I plan on getting a Neptune aqua controller to have complete capabilities to monitor the tank as long as I have a computer in front of me. Only reaon I want this is because I like to go away frequently and I have a few expensive fish and experience frequent power outages where I live.

 

[Deaths Sting]

Wow it takes me at least 2 hours to do a wc on my 220, though I assume you use a python so that makes it go faster, but I only use 3 5g buckets for my wc's so it takes forever.I am going to do one tomorrow and it will probably take 3 hours b/c I also have to clean my filters.

hehe

i use:

50' garden hose- $5

faucet hose adapter- $5

My mouth- $priceless

= $10 python
and PRIME!!!

i clean 1/3 of 1 filter every 6 months. i have a FX 5 and Eheim 2028 pro 2 on my 120 gallon. it takes me 1 hour to do that and the water change.

i forget to add i also have temperature probes on all my tanks. their dirt cheap as well.