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04/25/2018, 11:14 AM | #1 |
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What do you think will be the next breakthrough in reef keeping?
In the past we had certain breakthroughs that changed how and what we can keep. Examples include artificial salt mixes (probably around 30 years ago), protein skimmers (become widespread 20-15 years ago), improved lighting (last 10 years or so), better and more precise test kits and readers (last 10 years or so), reef aquarium consumables (5-10 years), captive grown corals (5-10 years).
So what do you think will be the next best thing. I try to look at public aquariums to determine these as all of these thing were being used in large public aquariums way before they became available for hobbyist use. One think that comes to my mind is automation. Like system that can measure and keep alk and other parameters at a specific level (so basically doing testing and dosing for you). Large public aquarium with corals do have these systems, but as far as I could learn they cost around 40-50k, so as of now they are only suitable for a vert very large tank. |
04/25/2018, 11:46 AM | #2 |
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If I tell you/public that negates my ability to patent/profit from it..
The alk/cal,etc... "robots" are already here.. most still in development but already in process..
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04/25/2018, 11:57 AM | #3 |
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Virtual reality reef tanks will replace the real things
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04/25/2018, 12:01 PM | #4 |
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Strikes me that we still are not able to accurately measure the depletion of various trace elements in an operating reef tank. Dosing of elements is generally frowned upon, though water changes are as equally imprecise. CaRx offers a reasonable proxy. So there is much room for testing improvements.
Many animals that we might like to keep cannot be properly fed. It's really only the fact that most corals photosynthesize that makes them mostly easy to keep. I would love to see even further improvements in small particulate feeding options. I remain unconvinced that any of the lighting options do more than just a passing imitation of the sun. Better lights please.
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Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
04/25/2018, 12:05 PM | #5 | |
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There is very little reason that the equipment can't be mass produced at a much lower price point.. I keep meaning to ask what specialized equipment one would really need.. I run into industrial auctions all the time and I can pick up thousands of dollar equipment for pennies.. It wouldn't be uncommon to find a like new mass spectrometer for a few hundred bucks if that.. So many companies go out of business with millions of dollars of equipment being sold at bottom dollar pricing..
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04/25/2018, 12:22 PM | #6 |
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I think some people do use a mass spectrometer, I've seen some pics of Hach products being used. Wouldn't mind picking up one of those expensive bad boys for pennies on the dollar.
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My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1. |
04/25/2018, 12:46 PM | #7 |
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I think the next big break thru will be more captive bred fish.
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Mike <*)))>{ <*)))>{ <*)))>{ <*)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 60*30*20, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1 |
04/25/2018, 12:58 PM | #8 |
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Amazon.com will have a plug-n-play "reef-in-a-box" delivered to your door same day (as long as you order by 9am). You just add tap water and connect to the internet. A monthly Reef Prime service will administer everything for you via the Cloud in a completely self-sustainable system. No test kits, no water changes, no feedings. Everything will be automated done using AI programs.
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04/25/2018, 01:05 PM | #9 |
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Bleach
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04/25/2018, 01:11 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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04/25/2018, 01:17 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
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John, Current Tank Info: In-process, 90 Gallon SPS Reef |
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04/25/2018, 01:45 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
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- Shaginwagon - Current Tank Info: 550 Gallon SPS Reef l 200 Gallon Sump l Skimmer: Vertex Alpha 250 l Return Pump: Reeflo Hammerhead l Tank Circulation: (2) Maxspect Gyre XF280 l Lighting: (3) 400w Halides & (3) AI Hydra 52 HD |
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04/25/2018, 02:10 PM | #13 |
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The Jaubert Method.
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04/25/2018, 05:13 PM | #14 |
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Something that monitors everything so you never need to test again. Constantly testing calc, mag, all, phos, nitrate, nitrites, ammonia.. everything in one package. That’s would be amazing.
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04/25/2018, 07:43 PM | #15 |
In Memoriam
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Robotic Animatronics fish that never eat and never die
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04/25/2018, 08:00 PM | #16 |
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Dependable long life heaters
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04/25/2018, 08:01 PM | #17 |
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Kiss!
Last edited by AlSimmons; 04/29/2018 at 05:30 PM. |
04/25/2018, 09:01 PM | #18 |
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Remote control fish.
On a serious note, flying fish haha Seriously though, a $5000 GSP colony, you know, like the crazy mushroom prices lol Ok, under water oompa loompas that clean your tank
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60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016. |
04/25/2018, 10:52 PM | #19 | |
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From my perspective progress has been more a slow evolution of small improvements, not big breakthroughs. Even LED lighting has taken a long time to get to the point where it now competes with MH on both price and performance. And protein skimmers were de rigueur on reef tanks more than 25 years ago. But back then they were airstone-driven counter current towers, overtaken by downdraft, and now (and I won't say "finally") venturi dominates. |
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04/26/2018, 06:15 AM | #20 | |
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Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs |
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04/26/2018, 06:19 AM | #21 | |
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Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs |
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04/26/2018, 06:20 AM | #22 |
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Captive bred corals. Not fragmented coral, but corals that have sexually reproduced in captivity, which will certainly lead to new hybrid strains of the latest and greatest.
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04/26/2018, 07:27 AM | #23 | |
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Most companies (I'm speaking largely to what I know which is US businesses) charge what they change because they want to ensure they turn sufficient profit for numerous reasons.. 1-To not treat their employees like slaves with only enough pay to barely allow them to eat and allow them to enjoy decent lives. 2-The want those employees to have sufficient healthcare. (that can be one of the highest expenses on a companies books actually even though employees pay some many companies pay far more) 3-They want/need to meet stringent safety/environmental,etc... standards and compliance so that people aren't hurt/killed and that our environment isn't trashed. 4-They want to ensure that they are making money so that they can continue to grow the company/invest in new technology to improve the processes as well as be able to make it through seasonal downturns in the economy. 5-recoup R&D and capitol investments in a suitable time frame necessary to continue with routine development cycles.. 6-Pay tariffs allowing international business,etc... and many..many more things that are all part of the reason for the profit margins that most employees/individuals fail to understand..
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04/26/2018, 08:40 AM | #24 |
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Things I hope for:
Automatic testing (on the horizon but not yet here) Further out auto triton type testing to know trace elements and such in tank Robotic berghia to destroy aiptasia (think mini robot slug with laser!!!) Robotic glass cleaner that can do the corners of tank and move from panel to panel better integration amongst pumps. Think common communication for modes and such so you could swap various brands together if needed. Similar to how PC is a hodge podge of parts but all operate in one ecosystem Better wifi control/linking of devices Power eficiency in more devices Underwater drill like a dremel so we could more easily cut larger frags Honestly the thing I would most like at the moment would be for my AWC. I would like a device that upon hitting a certain level in my mixing barrell would stop my AWC (Dos in this case), refill the barrell with RODI to a preset point, add salt, mix, and then test the salinity to ensure it is at my set level of 1.026. I would just feed a hopper with 2 bags of salt or such and it would do the rest for me.
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150 SC tank build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550948 Some have bar tabs. I have a coral tab at my LFS. Life goals. |
04/26/2018, 08:44 AM | #25 |
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reagentless test kits.. i want to stick in a probe like salinity and readings like calcium and alk every second like salinity.
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