Automation: The Key

Many aquarists I have interacted with do find the regular chore of maintenance, manually operating the  light and CO2 fertilization regularly, added with the weekly burden of water change and in case of emergency (like algae attack etc) regularly if possible, to be very demanding and me being a lazy person tend to somewhat agree with it.

Somewhat because my earlier stint with planted tanks had taught me the importance of approaching every aspect with a practical outcome in mind. Planning and automation plays a key part here which can reduce the regular slogging significantly and make the life of an aquarist less demanding.

The new tank setup will have lights and CO2 (solenoid) supply automated by a timer switch. I will be using Frontier digital timer TM-619H-2 (all available on amazon & ebay). Later I plan to add one more timer to the system for staggered lighting effect.

Frontier digital timer TM-619H-2

CO2 Regulator with Solenoid valve

Water change will also be automated by attaching/plumbing a water outlet with a solenoid for water on/off.

Solenoid valve for Water

As and when the system gets on its feet, the regular fertilization regimen will also be a auto dosing pump or can reuse the air pump for a D-I-Y auto dosing system.

With that in place I hope only to attend to the essential upkeep and enjoy more time looking at the tank than one hand ‘always’ in water…!!

This involves working on the electrical and water supply which I will be sharing in future.

Till then, lets carpe diem baby…