Need advice, leaving for a month

Sheldon337 · 06/04/2006, 02:15 PM

I will be in Europe for a month beginning July 1st. Is there anything I should be aware of besides:

1. having the fish fed,
2. the skimmer emptied, and
3. the water topped-off

I have a chiller so temperature shouldnt be a problem.

Please let me know what your experience has been.

Lee

Nu2SW · 06/04/2006, 02:43 PM

Most people have someone from the club come and watch and make sure the system is ok... Thats what I would recommend.

Fragmented · 06/04/2006, 04:25 PM

The only problem I have had while on vacation was overfeeding.

I solved the problem by measuring out each feeding into a stacking pill container and having the person feed only every other day.

As far as the system goes I go over how everything works two times beforehand and leave a written review as well.

Have a nice vacation.

Sheldon337 · 06/04/2006, 06:08 PM

I was hoping to use an automatic feeder. I don't trust people not to overfeed.

Is there a reliable autofeeder that you would recommend?
Lee

Sk8r · 06/04/2006, 07:19 PM

Your supplements, if you need any. You can load your topoff reservoir with buffer, based on your daily draw and daily buffer consumption, but calcium is a pest. If you rely on manual supplementation, you may have to figure a low-end amount that will keep things functioning---as, for instance, mine requires a pretty steady 2 HEAPING tsp Turbo Calcium a day, but I occasionally work a little high: I buffer adequately for the topoff; and if I tell the tank sitter to add 2 LEVEL tsp per day dissolved in 2 cups of ro/di for 3 days, skip one day, start again, I know that I'm not going to be too far off by the time I get home.

Reefugee · 06/04/2006, 11:03 PM

I personally would not trust auto feeder. I like Rachelle's idea of partitioning out food and having someone feed the fish for you. Also - it's a good idea to leave a list of contacts just incase something goes wrong.

Minh

funman1 · 06/04/2006, 11:22 PM

water changes??

dots · 06/04/2006, 11:28 PM

Most people WAY overfeed, I have never heard of fish starving......less it was newly aquirred and not eating from the get go. Once or twice a week would be great, additionaly will keep the water cleaner longer, and less risk of pollution.

I would be worried about alk shifts if you have many corals.

Top offs will work for a month if you have a large system the better. The water change thing is still in debate, ie how much and when. I change about 20% a month and have found great results.

Do not add anything, "livestock", until then and stabliize your system.

Clean all of your equipment before hand.

Try to take murphy out of the equation as much as possible.

Really depends on how much you have and what you are willing to risk....is it a tank of chromis or thosands of dollars in rare corals......you could consider transfering the most prized possesions into another tank until you get back, but even then the shock of transfer could be a risk also........Have FUN!!!

xia · 06/05/2006, 09:16 AM

Take out the algae magnet. Just incase that grain of sand gets in there and they continue to use it.

Sheldon337 · 06/05/2006, 03:10 PM

Thanks everyone. I think I will probably find a sitter rather than use an autofeeder. Better peace of mind.

I dont plan on having any water changes attempted or any supplements other than buffer.

I consider my tank to be lightly stoked.

Only four fish and mostly softies.

Wee-Reef Master · 06/05/2006, 03:54 PM

I would also suggest giving a few contact numbers of MARS folks (to the sitter) for resource/emergency assistance, should the sitter not be from MARS or familiar with reef systems.

06/04/2006, 02:15 PM	#1
Sheldon337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Burlingame, CA Posts: 736	Need advice, leaving for a month I will be in Europe for a month beginning July 1st. Is there anything I should be aware of besides: 1. having the fish fed, 2. the skimmer emptied, and 3. the water topped-off I have a chiller so temperature shouldnt be a problem. Please let me know what your experience has been. Lee

06/04/2006, 02:43 PM	#2
Nu2SW Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arden Fair Posts: 1,772	Most people have someone from the club come and watch and make sure the system is ok... Thats what I would recommend. __________________ _____________________________ Its Only $100 Dollars dear.... ______________________________ Current Tank Info: Looking to get back in

06/04/2006, 07:19 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Your supplements, if you need any. You can load your topoff reservoir with buffer, based on your daily draw and daily buffer consumption, but calcium is a pest. If you rely on manual supplementation, you may have to figure a low-end amount that will keep things functioning---as, for instance, mine requires a pretty steady 2 HEAPING tsp Turbo Calcium a day, but I occasionally work a little high: I buffer adequately for the topoff; and if I tell the tank sitter to add 2 LEVEL tsp per day dissolved in 2 cups of ro/di for 3 days, skip one day, start again, I know that I'm not going to be too far off by the time I get home. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/04/2006, 11:22 PM	#7
funman1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 4,898	water changes?? __________________ Professional Pyro: NO REALLY; I get PAID to blow stuff up!! ~Steve~ Current Tank Info: 12G NANO

06/04/2006, 11:28 PM	#8
dots Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,258	Most people WAY overfeed, I have never heard of fish starving......less it was newly aquirred and not eating from the get go. Once or twice a week would be great, additionaly will keep the water cleaner longer, and less risk of pollution. I would be worried about alk shifts if you have many corals. Top offs will work for a month if you have a large system the better. The water change thing is still in debate, ie how much and when. I change about 20% a month and have found great results. Do not add anything, "livestock", until then and stabliize your system. Clean all of your equipment before hand. Try to take murphy out of the equation as much as possible. Really depends on how much you have and what you are willing to risk....is it a tank of chromis or thosands of dollars in rare corals......you could consider transfering the most prized possesions into another tank until you get back, but even then the shock of transfer could be a risk also........Have FUN!!! __________________ ~Doug

06/04/2006, 04:25 PM	#3
Fragmented Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Nevada City, CA Posts: 919	The only problem I have had while on vacation was overfeeding. I solved the problem by measuring out each feeding into a stacking pill container and having the person feed only every other day. As far as the system goes I go over how everything works two times beforehand and leave a written review as well. Have a nice vacation.

06/04/2006, 06:08 PM	#4
Sheldon337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Burlingame, CA Posts: 736	I was hoping to use an automatic feeder. I don't trust people not to overfeed. Is there a reliable autofeeder that you would recommend? Lee

06/04/2006, 11:03 PM	#6
Reefugee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 6,105	I personally would not trust auto feeder. I like Rachelle's idea of partitioning out food and having someone feed the fish for you. Also - it's a good idea to leave a list of contacts just incase something goes wrong. Minh

06/05/2006, 09:16 AM	#9
xia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Elk Grove, 95624 Posts: 995	Take out the algae magnet. Just incase that grain of sand gets in there and they continue to use it.

06/05/2006, 03:10 PM	#10
Sheldon337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Burlingame, CA Posts: 736	Thanks everyone. I think I will probably find a sitter rather than use an autofeeder. Better peace of mind. I dont plan on having any water changes attempted or any supplements other than buffer. I consider my tank to be lightly stoked. Only four fish and mostly softies.

06/05/2006, 03:54 PM	#11
Wee-Reef Master Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 506	I would also suggest giving a few contact numbers of MARS folks (to the sitter) for resource/emergency assistance, should the sitter not be from MARS or familiar with reef systems. __________________ Wee-Reef Keeper