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Suggestions for Tank care while on Vacation
- Thread starter bostontim
- Start date
customclimates
Non-member
That would depend on how automated you already are. I just left for six days & only had to run my skimmer drain into a nearby sump pump. My brother in law stopped by on day 3 & dumped in the pre measured frozen food.
OP
OP
bostontim
Reefing ain't Easy
Thats my problem. I thought about cutting the fuge light and backing the main lights back an hour or two to cut back evaporation. My sump makes it 3 days before the level is too low. I could fill it higher in the sump to make it last but if the power goes out then itll overflow.
OP
OP
bostontim
Reefing ain't Easy
It takes weeks for my skimmer to fill. im not worried about that. Its more the feeding and top off im worried about.
Salty Dog
Non-member
Tim, if you asked around, I'm sure there are a number of members that you know that wouldn't mind stopping by every couple days or so to check on things. I'd sure be happy to if you were a little closer.
If that doesn't appeal to you, you must have a friend, neighbor, etc - that wouldn't mind stopping by one say days 2 and 4 and adding water to the sump as well as maybe throw some prepared food mix in? That's a hard one to screw up.
Eric
If that doesn't appeal to you, you must have a friend, neighbor, etc - that wouldn't mind stopping by one say days 2 and 4 and adding water to the sump as well as maybe throw some prepared food mix in? That's a hard one to screw up.
Eric
RichConley
Attack of the Killer Cute
I wouldnt overfill the sump, and honestly, I wouldnt worry about the food.
I'd just have someone stop by on day 3, and topoff to where its supposed to be, (you can have them feed while theyre there if you want.). Make up a couple of gallons of RODI, and have a fill line clearly marked out.
I'd just have someone stop by on day 3, and topoff to where its supposed to be, (you can have them feed while theyre there if you want.). Make up a couple of gallons of RODI, and have a fill line clearly marked out.
susyq458
Non-member
You REALLLY want a human being to come by and do the top off. That way, they can check the skimmer and make sure that nothing major has happened like the power going out or something. Just leave clear written instructions of what to do and what to look for. Sorry we're a heck of a drive south from you. Good luck.
Whether you need to have someone feed the fish every day or not depends on what you have for fish. A few years ago, I left my reef completely unattended when I went on vacation for 1 week. There is no way I could do that now with my current setup. I have some fiesty fish that need to be fed daily also. I usually have my neighbor do the feeding, and have someone with a clue to reefing come and check in every couple of days to make sure my skimmer hasn't over flowed, or my ca reactor hasn't clogged up, or anything else major.
sbertomen
Member
I had to use a non-reefer when I was gone for 11 days. I had him stop every day to check - but left flake food in carefully marked paper muffin cups in a tupperware container, that way he would not overfeed. Key was - I made him promise to call if anything looked different.
Ironically my neighbors intake to the dishwasher broke and flooded my living room - and I was worried about the auto top off? BUT - the good news is the landlord is replacing my rug etc. which I had on numerous occasions soaked with saltwater.
Anyway - I think the peace of mind having someone check with a promise to call is priceless.
Ironically my neighbors intake to the dishwasher broke and flooded my living room - and I was worried about the auto top off? BUT - the good news is the landlord is replacing my rug etc. which I had on numerous occasions soaked with saltwater.
Anyway - I think the peace of mind having someone check with a promise to call is priceless.
Just to add here / FWIW, my best advice on preparing to go on vacc - Don't fiddle with anything on the system for at least a few days if not a week before you go away. Don't make last minute changes, get things dialed in advance.
I once went through this. I was going away for about a week, got a non-reefer tank sitter trained in advance for about 10 days AND left written instructions.
I went over everything on the system the night before going away. I got a bad feeling that day and decided to check on things before I left. I went home and found a large puddle on the floor. The night before, while I was checking everything I apparently knocked the return line from the Ca reactor out of place so it was watering the floor.
My point; my tank sitter would have had no idea what to do. I bumped something simple out of place the night before leaving. Don't do anything to the tank just before you leave. Get it as stable as you can in advance, then don't do any last minute anything.
I once went through this. I was going away for about a week, got a non-reefer tank sitter trained in advance for about 10 days AND left written instructions.
I went over everything on the system the night before going away. I got a bad feeling that day and decided to check on things before I left. I went home and found a large puddle on the floor. The night before, while I was checking everything I apparently knocked the return line from the Ca reactor out of place so it was watering the floor.
My point; my tank sitter would have had no idea what to do. I bumped something simple out of place the night before leaving. Don't do anything to the tank just before you leave. Get it as stable as you can in advance, then don't do any last minute anything.
You might want to read this:
Unpredictable Events, General Tips and Preparing for an Extended Absence
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/gh/index.php
Unpredictable Events, General Tips and Preparing for an Extended Absence
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/gh/index.php
5 days isn't that long, but having someone stop by even once would be great. Try posting a thread in this forum looking for another member to stop by while you're gone. Giving the tank sitter a gift certificate to a LFS is a nice gesture for the piece of mind.
Whatever you do, try not to think about the tank while you're away... worrying about it will do you no good, just enjoy your time away
Whatever you do, try not to think about the tank while you're away... worrying about it will do you no good, just enjoy your time away
