Can I make this hobby work?

[Flyguy737]

Hello all. I have wanted a tank for a long time..finally I think I might be able to do this. A big hold up is my job - a pilot. I will be gone 3-4 days at a time, some weeks might be more with a short night at home between trips. My wife is onboard..kind of, meaning she said would be willing to maybe feed some fish while I'm gone but that is pretty much it. So, can I do this? I mean I'm sure I could..but I don't want to do this just to flounder and end up killing animals because I can't be there all the time. I have looked into all the extra equipment that I would need to monitor while on the road. Having a LFS service the tank isn't an option since there isn't one very close and the costs would be too great.

Thanks for your input.

Jeff

 

[jsker]

I would suggest looking at a controller so that you can have remote access to you system.

 

[Zach B]

Welcome Jeff

 

[Petcrazyson]

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef Jeff!

 

[tharbin]

Welcome to R2R!

The short answer is yes, there are many people in the hobby that need to leave the tank more or less unattended for days at a time. Take your time. Set up basic automation like ATO, light timing/intensity/spectrum and basic monitoring and make sure it works before adding livestock. Make sure to avoid high-maintenance livestock at least in the beginning. Take your time and make sure everything works at one stage before advancing to the next so you don't have too many surprises. You will need to invest more up front than many of us but we almost all end up spending it sooner or later anyway.

 

[Nano_Man]

 

[JC1977]

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello all. I have wanted a tank for a long time..finally I think I might be able to do this. A big hold up is my job - a pilot. I will be gone 3-4 days at a time, some weeks might be more with a short night at home between trips. My wife is onboard..kind of, meaning she said would be willing to maybe feed some fish while I'm gone but that is pretty much it. So, can I do this? I mean I'm sure I could..but I don't want to do this just to flounder and end up killing animals because I can't be there all the time. I have looked into all the extra equipment that I would need to monitor while on the road. Having a LFS service the tank isn't an option since there isn't one very close and the costs would be too great.

Thanks for your input.

Jeff

Doable yes- Just assure to sit with her and explain what needs to be done in your absence.
Do practice runs with feeding, emergency water changes and if you can - Automate lights with a basic controller unit, and perhaps one where you can see activity and temp, ph, etc from your phone while away

 

[fishguy242]

Hi ,welcome to the reef...

 

[jtp7004ft]

Welcome

 

[danenelsen]

 

[bnord]

Welcome and thanks for joining

Therein above nailed it and I would add go even slower and steadier than you should otherwise getting started

Great, easy to set up small to mid sized AIO's to choose from

let us know what you decide

 

[Cthulukelele]

Welcome! Totally doable to still have the hobby--especially if you start with easier fish and coral and work your way up

 

[JZ199]

Welcome!!

 

[steveschuerger]

Welcome to the R2R community! As an owner of AIO tanks from the start I’d highly recommend one.

 

[Flyguy737]

Welcome and thanks for joining

Therein above nailed it and I would add go even slower and steadier than you should otherwise getting started

Great, easy to set up small to mid sized AIO's to choose from

let us know what you decide

Thanks. I was leaning towards the Reefer XL300..now leaning towards the XL200

 

[lopez052308]

Welcome to the reef to reef family!!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Jeff, thanks for flying the friendly R2R forum!

 

[collins.jason.k]

Welcome to the club!

And yes it's doable. Success comes with patience and that can be a good by product of being away for work. Get your tank set up and filled and it can cycle while you're gone flying. Get a good ATO and that will save a lot of work for your spouse. Feeding is the easy part.

Start off easy with some fish, and as you spend time away flying it will prevent you from rushing things in the tank and allowing your tank to mature. I think the biggest issue a lot of people have, including myself at times, is too much time hands on fussing with things wanting it to be ready now. Just take your time and do things in stages and you can absolutely be successful.