Pre-Vacation Waterchange?

[Daniel91]

Hi All,

I normally do a weekly 2-2.5 gallon change IM10

Thing is, I will be going on vacation for 20 days. I have somebody to watch the tank but will not do anything maintenance related.

What is my best option here? 5 gal waterchange the day before or 2x 2.5gal the days up to?

 

[Oshengems]

I think you can go a month without water change with no issues IMO of course, but do
A big one a day prior to leaving just to make sure everything is fine then hold out the 20 days to simple maintenance. I’m going on 2 months now will do one this weekend, I try to do monthly 20-30% but I been doing irregular WC for about 3 years

 

[sfin52]

agree

 

[SPR1968]

Generally smaller, more frequent water changes are better unless there is a reason to do a large water change, it just keeps the water parameters more stable for the inhabitants and I wouldn’t go above around 20%. Maybe your long vacation is a good enough reason for this so...

 

[Wen]

If mine I’d do 5 gal wc day before, and not worry at all while on vacation.

(However, if someone is feeding while your away...I’d prepackage and label any nutrients going in, so there’s no mistakes.)

 

[Daniel91]

If mine I’d do 5 gal wc day before, and not worry at all while on vacation.

(However, if someone is feeding while your away...I’d prepackage and label any nutrients going in, so there’s no mistakes.)

Thanks for the feedback all. Wen - I am def doing this. A pinch of food for a reefer is never the same as a pinch of food for a non-reefer lol.

 

[dylana407]

Do 20% 2 days before the trip. If something went wrong, you have 1 day to react. I turn off the white band to reduce heat and thus reduce evaporation. My fish can go 10 days without feeding. How much to feed depend on our tank maturity and your fish requirements. Have a great time.

 

[jent]

As mentioned, don't do anything day of. Give at least 2 days before you leave so you can react if anything is messed up.

If you need a larger wc (doubt you will), I would expect or plan for it when you get back rather than before you leave. Just keep up with what has been working up till you leave IMO

 

[Vanquishxxx]

I hate doing anything before going away. Just in case something happens that can’t be corrected quickly. Murphy’s law!

 

[Oshengems]

Not to scare you but there’s just something about vacation and reefing lol... is like the universe waits until You are not around to do things smh lol