Reef Vacation Advice

[CoralReefer1019]

Later this month going to be away from my reef tank for a week. What are some things I should do before I leave? I have a autofeeder and will do a WC before I leave. I dose 2-Part manually and currently don't have a Doser. I'm worried about my Alk and Ca levels without me dosing and having my Skimmer going nuts and overflowing the cup.

 

[James M]

Don’t run the skimmer and I would invest in a ato

 

[cojo8888]

Just let your family take care 20min explanation is enough. Easy

Do you have chiller? Recent week was hot and getting hotter watch for Indian summer week

 

[CoralReefer1019]

Don’t run the skimmer and I would invest in a ato

I have a ATO just need to find a larger container to hold more top-off water.

By not using protein skimmer will it cause any issues?

 

[CoralReefer1019]

Just let your family take care 20min explanation is enough. Easy

Do you have chiller? Recent week was hot and getting hotter watch for Indian summer week

I live in FL and around the time when I’m leaving the weather isn’t hot

 

[ca1ore]

IME ....

What to do - feed a bit extra ahead of the trip, do a WC, find a local reefer for a potential emergency.
What not to do - make any substantive system changes (Murph’s law), employ a well meaning tank sitter (more likely to do damage than good), I don’t turn off any gear.

 

[James M]

I have a ATO just need to find a larger container to hold more top-off water.

By not using protein skimmer will it cause any issues?

No the skinner can be off. Never heard of anything bad form leaving it off for a few days .

 

[CoralReefer1019]

No the skinner can be off. Never heard of anything bad form leaving it off for a few days .

for 7 days ok?

 

[Burrito]

I’m going away to fl for a week in a couple days. What I’m doing...

Testing my battery backup works for the return pump. Have a auto air bubbler thing in case power goes out too.

Skimmer is hooked up to a slim mate locker with an auto shutoff if it fills. (Unlikely)

I use the dos for auto water changes. About 2 gallon a night

Ehiem auto feed to feed a little 4 times a day

Everything else is hooked up to apex which is the only thing I’m concerned about. If the power trips the apex needs to be reset to connect again. Big flaw....

I will have the dropcams usually used for the living and family room repositioned to my display and sump area and also my awc area.

Neighbor across the street has our keys but no fish knowledge. I would guide him through any issue.

Hope my prep list helps you

 

[Burrito]

i forgot to add one thing, an ATO, most have this already but make sure your reservoir can handle 120% worth of the days you are gone. in my case it cant(5 gallon res), i lose about a gallon a day so for the week i am gone i will put about 9-10 gallons of water in a big tupperware bin outside my stand.

 

[timrocks311]

I went away in June for a week and hired the LFS to stop by every other day. He mainly fed the fish, but I asked him to dose ALK solution for me too, and he cleaned the glass. Otherwise, I had a spare ATO water jug right next to the tank so when the other one was near empty, he just had to swap. My skimmer cup can go a week without emptying. If not, I wouldn't have heartache turning it off for a week.