*Leaving for a week - what to do about the tank??*

[James_O]

I know I'm cutting this REALLY close, but I need help.

I'm going to a week long 'summer camp' next week, and I leave Sunday. Normally, I would ask one of my family members to take of them. However, all my family is coming. That means no one at the house.

What should I do??

My mom suggested I ask one of my neighbors to do it, but 1) I don't trust her with anything alive (she takes pretty bad care of her farm animals/pets), and 2) she is NOT experienced whatsoever.

Now, my LFS does do home tank maintenance, but my parents don't want anyone coming in the house, because "They just don't feel comfortable with a total stranger coming in the house while we are gone". It is however, the OWNER of my LFS. He's a really chill guy, and does ALL of home tank maintenance.

----

Should I:

1) Try to convince my parents to trust the owner of my LFS to come take care of the tank. (Because he knows what he's doing, super knowledgeable)

OR

2) Go with the neighbor... 0-0

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

I know I'm cutting this REALLY close, but I need help.

I'm going to a week long 'summer camp' next week, and I leave Sunday. Normally, I would ask one of my family members to take of them. However, all my family is coming. That means no one at the house.

What should I do??

My mom suggested I ask one of my neighbors to do it, but 1) I don't trust her with anything alive (she takes pretty bad care of her farm animals/pets), and 2) she is NOT experienced whatsoever.

Now, my LFS does do home tank maintenance, but my parents don't want anyone coming in the house, because "They just don't feel comfortable with a total stranger coming in the house while we are gone". It is however, the OWNER of my LFS. He's a really chill guy, and does ALL of home tank maintenance.

----

Should I:

1) Try to convince my parents to trust the owner of my LFS to come take care of the tank. (Because he knows what he's doing, super knowledgeable)

OR

2) Go with the neighbor... 0-0

I have been in your situation before. It’s tough but you’re not going to be able to change option 1 no matter how hard you try. Do option 2 just be very thorough in making videos, leaving instructions, etc. It’s your only hope. You may want to see if you have other family that isn’t coming (if you still have grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins, etc) that you trust more. Prioritize the needs of the tank and don’t give them a task that may be difficult for someone without experience to do. Good luck!

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

And if you’re super serious about them getting it right while you’re gone, have them come over and show them in person, let them try things out, while also leaving videos, instructions, etc just in case they forget

 

[shadow_k]

I would honestly say if your gonna be gone for 1 week only get an automatic fish feeder but make sure it doesn’t over feed

 

[ThePurple12]

I’ve left the tank for 2 weeks and everything was fine. I didn’t have any neighbors come over or anything. Just get an autofeeder and put some pellets in it and you should be good to go.

Honestly your tank and livestock would be fine for a week even without an autofeeder, but that’s an ethics issue.

 

[shadow_k]

Your corals should be okay I do weekly water changes every 7 days so I week is perfect

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Im gonna portion out feedings in urine sample cups for my weekend trip coming up.
Auto top off will handle the water and salinity.
Ill prob turn half my lights off too just in case. Adding alk i will have to coach over the phone. Lol
D

 

[JumboShrimp]

(I wrote this after you most recent post LOL)

Regarding the neighbor (and assuming he/she is reasonably responsible, and has common sense):

Have you ever had any ‘water’ issues— like a return pump not coming back on after a power outage, a sump overflowing after a power outage, or large evaporation problems that run a pump dry? If not, (1) leave an adequate replacement supply of water and CLEAR instructions where your ‘keep filled to here line is’ and 2) Pre-proportion our EXACT amounts of food labeled M, T, W, Th, F, Sat., Sun., and tell your neighbor not to drop in any more per day no matter how much your fish beg.

 

[Azedenkae]

I know I'm cutting this REALLY close, but I need help.

I'm going to a week long 'summer camp' next week, and I leave Sunday. Normally, I would ask one of my family members to take of them. However, all my family is coming. That means no one at the house.

What should I do??

My mom suggested I ask one of my neighbors to do it, but 1) I don't trust her with anything alive (she takes pretty bad care of her farm animals/pets), and 2) she is NOT experienced whatsoever.

Now, my LFS does do home tank maintenance, but my parents don't want anyone coming in the house, because "They just don't feel comfortable with a total stranger coming in the house while we are gone". It is however, the OWNER of my LFS. He's a really chill guy, and does ALL of home tank maintenance.

----

Should I:

1) Try to convince my parents to trust the owner of my LFS to come take care of the tank. (Because he knows what he's doing, super knowledgeable)

OR

2) Go with the neighbor... 0-0

(1)

Also, what needs to be done in that week? Just feeding? Or top-offs too?

 

[James_O]

(1)

Also, what needs to be done in that week? Just feeding? Or top-offs too?

Feeding, top offs, maybe some glassing cleaning?

I also want him to monitor the corals, as I just got 6 new frags. (Including a hammer)

 

[TCoach]

Honestly, you won't be able to change your parents mind in this short of time. So, it is the neighbor.

If you have fish, I would feed a little heavier than normal now, and then let them be for the week you are gone. If you want, pre-portion some food for the fish and ask her to feed may 2x during the week. Most importantly, I'd want her to check the water level, and have some R/O water ready for her to top off if needed. Use a Dry Erase marker to mark your tank or sump on when to fill and where to stop the top off.

 

[Azedenkae]

Feeding, top offs, maybe some glassing cleaning?

I also want him to monitor the corals, as I just got 6 new frags. (Including a hammer)

I got this: https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Feeder-Programmable-Automatic-Dispenser/dp/B001F2117I for auto-feeding.

And this: for auto-top off.



Glass cleaning can be ignored until you get back.

 

[James_O]

Regarding the neighbor (and assuming he/she is reasonably responsible, and has common sense):

Well... this is what concerns me.

They are the kind of people to keep Bettas in vases. They also catch and keep a lot of wild animals, which is HIGHLY illegal in Kentucky. (Just last week, she stole 4 baby turkeys from their mother)

If it's the only option, I guess so, but I'm not to thrilled about it. :/

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

My instructions above were kinda designed for the more complex reefs that don’t just need food to be dropped but maintenance that would usually need to be done that can’t be because you won’t be there. If you just need food be careful with auto feeders. They aren’t as reliable as humans. But then again, I have learned that this truth never fails no matter what. An outsider who feeds your tank will always over feed. It never fails. Regardless how much you tell and show them.

Honestly, you won't be able to change your parents mind in this short of time. So, it is the neighbor.

If you have fish, I would feed a little heavier than normal now, and then let them be for the week you are gone. If you want, pre-portion some food for the fish and ask her to feed may 2x during the week. Most importantly, I'd want her to check the water level, and have some R/O water ready for her to top off if needed. Use a Dry Erase marker to mark your tank or sump on when to fill and where to stop the top off.

Adding to this. Most fish can go around 2 weeks without food. Now it’s better to feed as you have been but just food for thought

 

[workhz]

I wouldn’t let them clean a tank. What’s the point? Nothing good can come of it.

 

[James_O]

My instructions above were kinda designed for the more complex reefs that don’t just need food to be dropped but maintenance that would usually need to be done that can’t be because you won’t be there. If you just need food be careful with auto feeders. They aren’t as reliable as humans. But then again, I have learned that this truth never fails no matter what. An outsider who feeds your tank will always over feed. It never fails. Regardless how much you tell and show them.

Well, my tank definitely isn't complex, lol.

Here is the livestock:

• 2x DaVinci Clownfish
• 1x Diamond Goby
• 1x Scarlet Hermit Crab
• 1x Turbo snail
• 1x... other snal (forgot the name ;Facepalm )

Coral:

• 1x Mottled Hammer
• 3x paly colonies
• 2x zoa colonies
• 2x ricordea mushrooms
• 2x 'bounce' mushrooms

----

The hammer is what concerns me the most. I just got it today, and I don't really want to leave it? :/

 

[Andyk28]

I know I'm cutting this REALLY close, but I need help.

I'm going to a week long 'summer camp' next week, and I leave Sunday. Normally, I would ask one of my family members to take of them. However, all my family is coming. That means no one at the house.

What should I do??

My mom suggested I ask one of my neighbors to do it, but 1) I don't trust her with anything alive (she takes pretty bad care of her farm animals/pets), and 2) she is NOT experienced whatsoever.

Now, my LFS does do home tank maintenance, but my parents don't want anyone coming in the house, because "They just don't feel comfortable with a total stranger coming in the house while we are gone". It is however, the OWNER of my LFS. He's a really chill guy, and does ALL of home tank maintenance.

----

Should I:

1) Try to convince my parents to trust the owner of my LFS to come take care of the tank. (Because he knows what he's doing, super knowledgeable)

OR

2) Go with the neighbor... 0-0

i would say ask your neighbor but put all the food you would feed for the day in one bg and if its frozen put them in the freezer and mark each bag with a day "monday, teusday etc. " and show her how to do it once and then just text her everyday to remind her. you could ask a friend to do the same thing if you really dont trust your neighbor

 

[James_O]

Honestly, you won't be able to change your parents mind in this short of time. So, it is the neighbor.

They haven't fully decided yet, but they are leaning towards no.

 

[Andyk28]

Well, my tank definitely isn't complex, lol.

Here is the livestock:

• 2x DaVinci Clownfish
• 1x Diamond Goby
• 1x Scarlet Hermit Crab
• 1x Turbo snail
• 1x... other snal (forgot the name ;Facepalm )

Coral:

• 1x Mottled Hammer
• 3x paly colonies
• 2x zoa colonies
• 2x ricordea mushrooms
• 2x 'bounce' mushrooms

----

The hammer is what concerns me the most. I just got it today, and I don't really want to leave it? :/

as for the corals you could give them a health dose or reef roids and iodine (or whatever else you feed them) and then only have your neighbors do it once or twice,, again with the text reminders

 

[James_O]

i would say ask your neighbor but put all the food you would feed for the day in one bg and if its frozen put them in the freezer and mark each bag with a day "monday, teusday etc. " and show her how to do it once and then just text her everyday to remind her. you could ask a friend to do the same thing if you really dont trust your neighbor

Don't have any friends that would be willing/able to come all the way out here.

It will also be a military based camp, so I won't have any phone or be able to use anyone else's.