What do I do when I go on vacation?

[NotFishyFishGuy]

hey everyone I have a problem. I have to tanks, a freshwater the gallon, and a saltwater 13.5 (fluval evo). They are both up and running, however, every summer I go on vacation. I usually go for about 1 1/2 to 2 months and was wondering what I can do when I go on vacation. Since this is my first saltwater tank and I’ve sort of “bonded” with the fish, I don’t want them to die because I had to leave them. Is there anything I can do?

 

[dbl]

Here is an article and a good discussion on the topic. Might be a good read for you.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vacation-time-tips-for-your-reef-tank.247131/

 

[dwest]

hey everyone I have a problem. I have to tanks, a freshwater the gallon, and a saltwater 13.5 (fluval evo). They are both up and running, however, every summer I go on vacation. I usually go for about 1 1/2 to 2 months and was wondering what I can do when I go on vacation. Since this is my first saltwater tank and I’ve sort of “bonded” with the fish, I don’t want them to die because I had to leave them. Is there anything I can do?

For that long of a vacation, you may need a tank sitter to help out. Here’s some things I’ve done to be able to increase my time away with less stress:
1. Have controller to monitor temperature, pH, etc. I use apex.
2. Put a camera on the tank that you can watch. Mine was about $30.
3. Add an auto feeder. I use an eheim
4. Have an automatic water change system.
5. Add a skimmer collection and shutoff system. I use an avast.
6. Have a neighbor you can call in case of an emergency. I have Mike :)

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

For that long of a vacation, you may need a tank sitter to help out. Here’s some things I’ve done to be able to increase my time away with less stress:
1. Have controller to monitor temperature, pH, etc. I use apex.
2. Put a camera on the tank that you can watch. Mine was about $30.
3. Add an auto feeder. I use an eheim
4. Have an automatic water change system.
5. Add a skimmer collection and shutoff system. I use an avast.
6. Have a neighbor you can call in case of an emergency. I have Mike :)

How do I do an automatic water Change System do you have one? Do I really need an apex for this little tank? The apex system are Very expensive tho. Any other monitor options?

 

[Saveafish]

hey everyone I have a problem. I have to tanks, a freshwater the gallon, and a saltwater 13.5 (fluval evo). They are both up and running, however, every summer I go on vacation. I usually go for about 1 1/2 to 2 months and was wondering what I can do when I go on vacation. Since this is my first saltwater tank and I’ve sort of “bonded” with the fish, I don’t want them to die because I had to leave them. Is there anything I can do?

OMG have you not heard the bad things that happen to tanks when you go on vacation.

 

[dwest]

How do I do an automatic water Change System do you have one? Do I really need an apex for this little tank? The apex system are Very expensive tho. Any other monitor options?

I have a 180 gallon tank and have just retired. So I was giving you things I’ve done to be gone an hour extended time.

There are lots of threads about automatic water changers. I use one now. On your size tank, I probably wouldn’t do it. There are other controller options. I had no controller for 20 plus years, so it’s not a necessity.

I would definitely have an auto feeder and ato system. I think next best thing is the camera. I have my camera set up so that I can see if fish are swimming, water is moving, and the temperature of my tank is ok.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

OMG have you not heard the bad things that happen to tanks when you go on vacation.

I always go back tho to see family and stuff

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

I have a 180 gallon tank and have just retired. So I was giving you things I’ve done to be gone an hour extended time.

There are lots of threads about automatic water changers. I use one now. On your size tank, I probably wouldn’t do it. There are other controller options. I had no controller for 20 plus years, so it’s not a necessity.

I would definitely have an auto feeder and ato system. I think next best thing is the camera. I have my camera set up so that I can see if fish are swimming, water is moving, and the temperature of my tank is ok.

Ohhhh. What controller do you use? An ato and auto feeder I can afford and also a cheap camera

 

[Geebs19]

I wouldn’t trust automated systems for that long if a period. I think your only option is to have someone checking in on it. You can get the auto systems to make it easier on the sitter but I would say someone needs to be making sure everything is running.

 

[MTBake]

Best bet would be to have someone look over the tank.

 

[Rybren]

Cancel the vacation and stay at home. Send me the money that you were planning on spending, and I'll go on vacation instead. I promise to send you lots of pictures and you can pretend that you were there :)

In all seriousness, I wouldn't go away for that long a period without having a trusted fellow reefer checking in. At the very least, you'll need someone to refill the ATO reservoir and feed the tank. If you're not a member of a local reefing group, then I'd join one. Many communities have one or more reefing groups on Facebook. For piece of mind, you can set up a camera to keep tabs on the tank.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Cancel the vacation and stay at home. Send me the money that you were planning on spending, and I'll go on vacation instead. I promise to send you lots of pictures and you can pretend that you were there :)

In all seriousness, I wouldn't go away for that long a period without having a trusted fellow reefer checking in. At the very least, you'll need someone to refill the ATO reservoir and feed the tank. If you're not a member of a local reefing group, then I'd join one. Many communities have one or more reefing groups on Facebook. For piece of mind, you can set up a camera to keep tabs on the tank.

Lol send me pics. Do you think asking a neighbor or friend who has no experience watch it is ok? I can teach him some basics

 

[MTBake]

Lol send me pics. Do you think asking a neighbor or friend who has no experience watch it is ok? I can teach him some basics

That's pretty much what I do. Except my friend's daughter instead of the neighbor;)

She's in vet school and leaves a list of what she did every day for my animals while I'm away. She even sends me pics if she feels it's needed. I also have several reptiles, 2 dogs and a cat she watches over during the summer when I go out of town. Everything looks better than I left it when I get back home.

 

[Rybren]

It would be better than nothing, especially if you provided them with very explicit written instructions, paying particular attention to how much to feed (tank sitters often overfeed thinking that the fish look hungry). If at all possible, having an experienced 'on call' reefer for emergencies would be ideal.

My kids look after my tanks when I'm away, but they're not reefers. I leave them with very detailed notes and the phone number of someone who can come over in case I can't sort things out from wherever I happen to be.