Tank sitter check list

[dwculp]

I am going away for a week and my wife will be left to care for my tank. It is a new tank with part one of the TBS package ( you can visit my thread here if you want: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2036992 ).

Anyways, the tank has cycled and has no livestock in it other than the massive amount of hitchhikers that come on TBS rock. I MAY transfer a Clarkii clown from my 29 gallon to the tank before I leave. I am making her a checklist to make it easy on my wife. Here is what I have so far:

1. Check water level, add distilled water if necessary.
2. Check temp ~26C (if above 27 or below 24 call me)
3. Check for leaks
4. Check skimmer cup, empty if necessary
5. Feed if necessary (a small pinch)
6. Clean glass if necessary using spray bottle in tank cabinet.
7. Check overall water clarity – should be ice clear, if not, call me.
8. Check livestock and rocks, does everything look vibrant, snails attached to glass and rocks, crabs moving etc...
9. Are all pumps working?

Any suggestions?

[rogersb]

Too big of a list. I ask my relatives to feed and put it in writing the specific amount - 1 cube every other day. Nothing else. It's too much for a nonfish person. In fact, giving these simple directions was expecting too much when we went away for a week. They were coming over during lights off and feeding the tank. They knew the hours the lights were on, and it seemed odd to feed when the fish coudln't see, but they weren't putting two and two together.

If there is no real livestock, I would stick to topping it off and just that.

[Frankfish]

Looks like a good list, but if your wife is like mine I would skip #6. It's not necessary, and she' probably spend most of her time making the glass shine, and not even realize she was standing in a puddle of saltwater!!

[Allmost]

make it shorter ..

if a new tank, then just top up with fresh water, and look at floor, and if you see SW call you.

BUT your list might make your wife get more involved with the tank after you come back ! so has its advantages too :)

[dwculp]

In the end I decided the list was too long and said something along these lines:

"Open the top and check the water level, it should be around here. Add water if necessary, sprinkle a little bit of food, this much, in the tank. Check for leaks and make sure everything looks ok. If you have any questions call me."

[pmark]

1) Is there water in the tank?
2) Is there water on the floor?
3) Feed the fish.

[moondoggy4]

#1 Cell phone in the hand of your wife.
# 2 Feed Fish
#3 Water in the Ro contanier
#4 How does everything look
#5 skimmer cup full turn off skimmer

[snorvich]

In the end I decided the list was too long and said something along these lines:

"Open the top and check the water level, it should be around here. Add water if necessary, sprinkle a little bit of food, this much, in the tank. Check for leaks and make sure everything looks ok. If you have any questions call me."

Much better. Too much detail will make both of you crazy.