Preperation for Vacation during Holidays

Jthayer4 · Nov 25, 2013

I was just wondering what all of you guys do for your tanks while you are away on vacations or out of town for more than just a couple days.

I am going to be in Ohio for about two and a half weeks in December, and I'm trying to figure out what I need to plan for with my tank as this will be my first time away from my tank for more than a couple days. What would be some good tips on how to prepare, what to do, and what not to do?

11f150 · Nov 25, 2013

Have a large ATO water container and a friend to come check your tank out along with feeding your fish. If you don't have some kind of timer on your lights you will need that as well, that's a no brainer :wink:. But besides those few things that's about it.

TankedNTn · Nov 26, 2013

Mr. Saltwater Tank has a pretty good book on this if you're interested: Pre-Travel Planning and Preparation: A Pocket Guide For Saltwater Tank Owners

mrsaltwatertank · Nov 26, 2013

TankedNTn said:
Mr. Saltwater Tank has a pretty good book on this if you're interested: Pre-Travel Planning and Preparation: A Pocket Guide For Saltwater Tank Owners

Thanks for the mention David. The best travel preparation includes both a people (tank sitters) and technology (not nec a controller). And don't forget the sneaky trick to keep your tank sitter honest… :bigsmile:

Dowtish · Nov 26, 2013

Jordan, you need to find someone who can go buy there and check on things at least every 2-3 days if possible and feed the fish and add water to your ATO tank. If you dont have an ATO, I would get one immediately or you will need someone to top off everyday.

Do you have an ATO? do you have timers on your lights?

wrpeach33 · Nov 27, 2013

I thought I had my tank all figured out for vacation last year and of course my extra ato reservoir pump was accidentally unplugged. These guys told me to have someone stop by but I thought I had it covered. It never hurts to have someone stop by even if you think it's going to be ok.

Dowtish · Nov 29, 2013

I guess you went out of town and didnt respond! I hope you got someone to come by....

Jthayer4 · Dec 2, 2013

I went MIA for thanksgiving...thanks for all of the advice guys!

Everything on the tank is fairly automated. I have programmable LED lights with two retrofitted T5's on timers. I also have an ATO, but only have room for a 5 gallon bucket of RO water. My roommate will be around all while I'm gone, so I've coached him up on refilling the ATO reservoir as well as my feeding regiment for the fish and corals.

I guess my more specific question was surrounding cleaning and tank husbandry, ie dosing. I don't want to overload my roommate with too much to do, but I'm not sure if its ok to go two and a half weeks without any dosing. I don't have any of this automated, I'll typically test and add when needed. I'm not too overly concerned, but wanted to run it by more experienced reef keepers to see if being gone that length of time wont hurt.