Dilemma in fish QT process? Need suggestions before I fly out!

[Neptune 555]

I do QT all fish but must admit that I don't treat them - I put them in QT and do tank transfer to ensure no ich. IF they are healthy after that eating and behaving normally they go in DT. I have stopped treating w/ Prazi or anything else b/c I always seem to lose a fish when I dose my QT. If I fish can live through my QT then I typically have them for YEARS 10 +.

I currently have in QT a barbershop goby / aptaisa eating tile fish and a starry blenny. They have been in QT for a week eating behaving normally. Due to a death in the extended family I need to leave town! Do I place the fish in the DT tank tomorrow after 8 days of observation OR try to keep them in the QT tank while we are gone? My fear is that the QT tank is smaller, less stable and I won't be able to watch it? The DT is robust and very stable a much nicer environment. I also fear overfeeding in the QT tank... b/c it is not me feeding them... The DT can handle more food / waste b/c of the set up.

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[starypotter]

Sorry for your loss. A few questions that might be able to help others help you out some more.

You say you usually do a TTM, is that what you've started or is your QT cycled? Are you in the middle of transferring right now or just observing?
-If you're in the middle of TTM maybe try to do a transfer the day you leave. Depending on who is watching your fish, if you had another tank all set and ready would that person be able to catch the fish and swap them over? How responsible is your fish sitter? Do you have an ammonia alert badge and directions on how to add prime if there starts to be a color reading if your tank isn't cycled?

How long do you need to go for? Would you be able to do a big water change before to help keep things in check?

You say you don't want the tank sitter to overfeed, what if you get one of those pill containers for each day of the week, and fill it up with whatever your feeding amount is so that the tank sitter only needs to pop open one section a day and then won't be able to over feed.
I would hate to you these fish to bring something into the display, even if you never treated much at least you've observed and assured they were okay and you haven't had the chance with these fish yet.

 

[Neptune 555]

I decided to hold - and still do my longer process of QT. My teenage daughter is looking after the fish.. I am going to try and watch via facetime phone call as she feeds them.

YES I have ammonia alert badges ; ) I have decided b/c my QT process was going so bad.. and I had an overabundance of LR in reefs that I would use Live Rock in my QT... and then keep the LR after QT fallow before placing it back inot the reef. I just think the extra stability and safety the rock provides it is worth it... If a fish is sick I will treat in a bare bottom tank...

flying out now...