How do you prepare for ext. Vacation ?

[Frogbone]

I will be going on vacation for 17 days in December and I want to come up with a plan for my tank during that time.

How do you guys go about preparing a tank for that long of a time and what works / doesn't work ?

My neighbor can do some of the daily chores but he doesn't know anything about an Aquarium. He can toss a certain amount of food in it if I explain it to him but beyond that I wouldn't want to rely too much on him.

Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated as I don't want to come home to a dark, smelly, dead tank

[redlion4]

We paid a younger person from church to stay and house sit (dog/cat/fish). Her "tank duties" were limited to topping off each night using our RO/DI water, dumping out the skimmer cup, feeding the fish, and feeding the anemone. We suspended kalk additions for those 10 days, and slowly bring the CA and Alk up after returning. We did water changes the day before leaving and the day after returning home. No reactors, ozone, or other fancy things on our setup to complicate it. She did good. No loses or other bad things in the tank.

[kjdeut]

I'm lucky because I have someone who is familiar with saltwater, but I still leave very detailed instructions. I also give them the link to this site if something major happened and they couldnt get a hold of me. People here are very good at offering assistance when the call for help goes out.Ken

[Ben Nicholls]

I am close by in Burnsville and will be around then. I can be on call for you if your tank sitter runs into a problem, or even check in on it every couple days. My phone number is in the members section. After one vacation desaster, and one near one I know the unexpected likes to happen while you are away from your tank.

[Frogbone]

Thanks Ben,


I really appreciate the offer !! It is that peace of mind that I was looking for.
I can only prepare so much until the day that I leave but then I have to rely on my neighbor for the daily chores. Knowing that he can call someone close in case of a tank emergency is a good thing to know for him and me !

Thanks again Ben !!.

BTW: The Xenia is doing well ( I should say "most of it", as I lost some of it due to improper "planting" )

[Ben Nicholls]

Just remind me the week before you go. It would also be a good idea for me to come over that week and you can give me the rundown on your system and anything to keep an eye out for.

Glad the Xenia is doing well.

[Frogbone]

Sounds great.

I'll be leaving December 12th and come back December 28th.

[Lars]

I usually just leave haha. My tank is fine by itself for a week or so (knock on wood). I would advise that if you have a non-fish person watch the tank that a fish person be "on call". It's also a good idea to give that "on-call" person a tour of your tank and setup in case something goes wrong (don't ask about that lesson).

Lars.

[Energy]

Definately have some one with a little experience come by and check on things a few times. When I leave I have a person come over every other day. I usually pay them in cash or frags but it's worth it.

[otolith]

Originally Posted by Lars

I usually just leave haha. My tank is fine by itself for a week or so (knock on wood). I would advise that if you have a non-fish person watch the tank that a fish person be "on call". It's also a good idea to give that "on-call" person a tour of your tank and setup in case something goes wrong (don't ask about that lesson).

Lars.

Yes, please don't ask about that lesson.

[Jeremiah]

I live in Prior Lake, and am willing to help out if needed. I pass through savage on the way to work every morning and night.

[Frogbone]

Thank guys !! I really apppreciate all the great suggestions and the offers to help.

I'll get in touch with you ( Ben & Jeremiah ) and give you more details.

Derek, I'd rathger stay home than learn a bad lesson by leaving the tank be for more than two days !!

[1coolvw]

I have tank sat for Dave Grigor in the past, one thing that really helps is a list or check list of things to review, what to feed, when to feed...

Also, a picture of how the tank looks and is supposed to look.

[lfish]

hey, what a a great tip on leaving a picture

I have been asking a neighbor to stop in when I leave, and it has worked well. I always reward them well too.

I had read a lot of horror stories about things going wrong when people leave, and it sounded like the biggest mistake was overfeeding.

[clownfishcrazy]

You should also take a pic of what you tank looks like at night, cause some of the corals look different when the lights aren't on.