What to do when on vacation

BHavlik · 05-06-2003, 03:24 PM

Going on a two week vacation at the end of this month and was wondering what to do for water top offs and feeding while I am gone. In the past I have had a friend look after things but that has always caused me problems because they never follow instructions (overfeeding, too much water topped off, close up the house with AC left off, Open blinds so tank can get some sunlight, ect,ect). Is there any service to hire to watch the tanks while people are away, or any ideas from club members on what to do.

reefcam · 05-06-2003, 03:59 PM

I've always had friends come over and look after my tank. The tank has an auto-top off so all they need to do is feed the tank. But if you are having problems with the current friend/person, check with Soutas, Waves, or Upscales. I believe they can come over to look after your tank. It can be costly, but if it gives you a piece of mind.

Another option is to get a fellow reefer near you to look after your tank while you are gone. I have multiple ones near by me, so it's not much of an issue.

Krux · 05-06-2003, 08:25 PM

soutas is probably out for the time being as rick had knee surgery and they are now only open on saturday and sunday for the next several weeks.

if you happen to live near se milwaukie and holgate, i can help ya out. i am a slave to school with no vacation on the horizon for the next year and a half, so i definately will be in town. i am carless though, so yer outa luck if yer not on a good bus line, or close by.

Swallowtail Angel · 05-08-2003, 09:30 AM

When we have gone on long vacations I very carefully portion out every single feeding for the tank and label them. I also use old milk jugs portioned out and labeled for water and any supplements you may need to add every day. My housesitter really appreciates this and it gives me peace of mind too! Have a great vacation!

Susie

Krux · 05-08-2003, 06:23 PM

yeah, you can use the paper cupcake things, good for flake and pelet, and freezer safe if you want to put a portion of a cube or something in each one.

also you can make a line on your sump with a pen that is like a half inch to inch above where you normally fill when it gets too low, and tell them to use the pre-bottled top off water you use and refill it to the line every day. by making it a little above where it has to be before you start to get too low, if they forget a day, there is less chance your equipment will fry.

BHavlik · 05-08-2003, 06:27 PM

I use the Enriched brine cubes and mysys cubes so that (you would think) would be hard to screw up but they always tell me the same thing, The fish looked hungry so I gave them extra. And the sump water line is clearly marked with black electrical tape but for some reason they think it doesn't matter how much or little water goes in. bottom line the two people I have had watch these tanks in the past just don't listen.

I hate the thought of being away and knowing they will screw something up.

Krux · 05-08-2003, 06:56 PM

if you can not find a reliable friend to take care of the tank, pm me with your address and i can see if i can work out transportation to help you out. i am always game to lend a hand to a fellow reefer when ever possible.

BHavlik · 05-08-2003, 07:00 PM

Unfortunately I'm way over on the SW side in Lake Oswego by PCC. Thanks for the offer though.

Krux · 05-08-2003, 07:14 PM

eep! maybe someone at waves can help ya then.

i vote you fill my tank with frags, so if you have a melt down, you can always restock... consider it a back-up for your tank instead of your computer :P

BHavlik · 05-08-2003, 07:17 PM

Actually if I make it to the next meeting I have some red mushrooms and purple mushrooms you can have. They have grown off the rock and are trying to anchor into the sand bed so every time I run the mag float they end up flying around the tank in the current.

Krux · 05-08-2003, 07:29 PM

that would be awesome. i am trying to assemble a collection of as many color variations of shrooms as i can find, so that folks can pick exactly the colors and patterns they need to properly decorate their reefs. have 5 varieties already, and hopefully through some trading should have another 4 or 5 by june.

i can give them a wonderful home.