Reefs and Geeks
Well-Known Member
So sorry to see your tank like that. I'm sure with a bit of expert care it'll bounce back
I've been fortunate enough to have tank sitters that can follow instructions for the most part. I do try my very best to make it simple and foolproof for the sitters just in case. While it's crazy to think of what some people do to a tank, it is easy to forget that most people have zero knowledge about keeping a reef tank. Lucky if they ever had a freshwater tank.
Back in the day I had a second job as a petsitter. I'd go to people's houses for 30 mins to an hour and take care of their pets while they were at work, on vacation...etc. It was pretty terrifying when something was going wrong and you didn't know what to do with someone else's pets. I think instinct kicks in and you do whatever YOU think is best to make sure the animal is taken care of when the owner can't be reached. Unfortunately, when it comes to aquariums some people have very bad instincts. I actually used the same pet sitting company I worked for's services to watch my reef tank for a week while I was on vacation. I left very strict instructions for the sitter to add this this and this to the tank and do nothing else. If something looked wrong- call me. If I don't pick up, just leave me a message and do nothing to the tank. Never heard anything, but when I came back the water level was like 6" low and glass dirtier than I'd ever seen. Otherwise, the inhabitants were doing great somehow. Ended up having my ATO fail while away and left no instructions to top off the tank. All in all, I'm happy with the reactions, or lack of, I got from the sitter. Now that my tank is much much larger and full of alot more coral, I have 1 family member who keeps fish who I'd trust while on vacation to check on things. Otherwise, I'd just have someone feed the fish and do nothing else. If gone for more than a week, I'm going to consider having a local aquarium service come and check on the tank mid-vacation. I actually just got an apex to help ease my mind a bit for my vacation I have planned for late this year.
Not fish related, but related to the pet sitting I used to do. My now wife (girlfriend at the time) was also pet sitting at the same time and once was taking care of someone's pair of dogs. They were playing fetch in the backyard and out of nowhere one of the dogs literally bites the other dog's ear clean off. Luckly she was able to get ahold of the owner and took the dog to the vet. Owner was oddly understanding about the situation. Just crazy what seems to always happen when we (the pet owners) are away. Like every time I go on vacation, I have one of my brothers house sit for me and take care of my dog. My dog is super easy to take care of...except when I go on the very rare vacation. Every time I leave, my dog gets diahrea, forgets how to bark to go outside, rips up the couch, paces the house, and just generaly drives my brother crazy for the week.
In short, I guess if you want someone to take care of your reef while you're away, you need to find or hire someone who knows how to take care of a reef.
I've been fortunate enough to have tank sitters that can follow instructions for the most part. I do try my very best to make it simple and foolproof for the sitters just in case. While it's crazy to think of what some people do to a tank, it is easy to forget that most people have zero knowledge about keeping a reef tank. Lucky if they ever had a freshwater tank.
Back in the day I had a second job as a petsitter. I'd go to people's houses for 30 mins to an hour and take care of their pets while they were at work, on vacation...etc. It was pretty terrifying when something was going wrong and you didn't know what to do with someone else's pets. I think instinct kicks in and you do whatever YOU think is best to make sure the animal is taken care of when the owner can't be reached. Unfortunately, when it comes to aquariums some people have very bad instincts. I actually used the same pet sitting company I worked for's services to watch my reef tank for a week while I was on vacation. I left very strict instructions for the sitter to add this this and this to the tank and do nothing else. If something looked wrong- call me. If I don't pick up, just leave me a message and do nothing to the tank. Never heard anything, but when I came back the water level was like 6" low and glass dirtier than I'd ever seen. Otherwise, the inhabitants were doing great somehow. Ended up having my ATO fail while away and left no instructions to top off the tank. All in all, I'm happy with the reactions, or lack of, I got from the sitter. Now that my tank is much much larger and full of alot more coral, I have 1 family member who keeps fish who I'd trust while on vacation to check on things. Otherwise, I'd just have someone feed the fish and do nothing else. If gone for more than a week, I'm going to consider having a local aquarium service come and check on the tank mid-vacation. I actually just got an apex to help ease my mind a bit for my vacation I have planned for late this year.
Not fish related, but related to the pet sitting I used to do. My now wife (girlfriend at the time) was also pet sitting at the same time and once was taking care of someone's pair of dogs. They were playing fetch in the backyard and out of nowhere one of the dogs literally bites the other dog's ear clean off. Luckly she was able to get ahold of the owner and took the dog to the vet. Owner was oddly understanding about the situation. Just crazy what seems to always happen when we (the pet owners) are away. Like every time I go on vacation, I have one of my brothers house sit for me and take care of my dog. My dog is super easy to take care of...except when I go on the very rare vacation. Every time I leave, my dog gets diahrea, forgets how to bark to go outside, rips up the couch, paces the house, and just generaly drives my brother crazy for the week.
In short, I guess if you want someone to take care of your reef while you're away, you need to find or hire someone who knows how to take care of a reef.
