OK so here is the deal, I have over the last few months broken down all my big display tanks because I am going to be leaving the country for 6 months. I have a few pieces of coral that I didn't want to give up so I set up a little nano tank that I believe my family is capable of running for me while a am away. My question is aside from ato and light timers what else can I do to make this tank as easy as possible for my family to run? I've always loved doing tank work myself so I never got into all the gear to help take some off my hands. Thanks in advance.
Easy maintanance tank.
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reeferfoxx
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I would just sell the coral off and repurchase when you want them. Trusting anyone other than yourself with something as delicate as coral, is almost expected to fail.
I've excepted it could turn out bad. They all have tank experience and have taken care of my tanks for a month at a time before. the real reason I want to keep it is I have a beach bum frag about the size of a half dollar and I don't want to drop the dough to buy that again
SteveSTL
Active Member
If it's a nano, they just need to change 5 gallons every week or 2. Take everything else out - no skimmer needed, no dosers, no nothing. A water change will do more than any of those things. Just be sure they top off with RO/DI and do regular water changes and you'll be good.
Thanks!
malacoda
Valuable Member
Not sure what size nano you've got, but if it's on the larger end of nanos (24g-40g) it might be worth considering a couple inexpensive dosers with a two of large jugs (e.g. 2 liter soda bottles or such) to hold some 2-part dosing fluids.
If weekly water changes will be a bit to much for your family and they're good at not over feeding (so that nutrient levels stay low), it can keep the corals happy without fewer water changes being necessary to maintain alk and calc.
By using two Icecap dosers to dispense ESV 2-part in my 24g, I've been able to cut back to two 15% water changes / month (to maintain Mg, etc.) rather than four while still keeping nutrients in check.
If weekly water changes will be a bit to much for your family and they're good at not over feeding (so that nutrient levels stay low), it can keep the corals happy without fewer water changes being necessary to maintain alk and calc.
By using two Icecap dosers to dispense ESV 2-part in my 24g, I've been able to cut back to two 15% water changes / month (to maintain Mg, etc.) rather than four while still keeping nutrients in check.
I second the dosers, I used dosers on my nanos and it made life so easy. The worst advice I see on maintaining nanos is that all you need is weekly water changes. A nicely stocked nano with any corals other than softies will never be maintained with just water changes. Once I established a dosing amount and schedule, it stayed stable for quite a while before I had to make adjustments.
