Shutdown for two weeks?

[GuppyHJD]

Setting up my tank has taken much longer than planned. The dry rock cycle took 2 weeks longer. The skimmer arrived missing parts. The sump ended up being a direct ship that took 10 days instead of picking up at the LFS. And on it goes.

Filled the tank this past weekend, added the sand and cycled rock. If I have to be away from the tank for two weeks and the person at the house know nothing about aquariums, I am wondering if I should just shut the pump off, and let the tank sit with the water in it and just the powerhead running?

I am concerned if I leave the pump running, the tank will evaporate below the overflows, the pump will run out of water to pump.

I do not have any fish or corals in the tank YET.

What am I not thinking about?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Just sit some jugs of freshwater next to the tank and tell them to top it off every few day. Should be easy enough for them right?

 

[GuppyHJD]

Just sit some jugs of freshwater next to the tank and tell them to top it off every few day. Should be easy enough for them right?

"should"...but we agree, that is not something I want to depend on them to do

 

[1guydude]

Yes. Ive done this... draw a water line with tape or something on ur return section of ur sump. This will give the person a refrence. Of course my person still had the pump sucking air...LOL.

 

[1guydude]

They have have auto top offs. Just need a seperate water container. If u dont have anyone reliable. Just start back up when u get back. Little die off will give u a nice start. LoL

 

[xxkenny90xx]

They have have auto top offs. Just need a seperate water container. If u dont have anyone reliable. Just start back up when u get back. Little die off will give u a nice start. LoL

Good point. The tank could be shut down for this trip (I'd leave a powerhead on so the water doesn't get stagnant) but once it's got life in it an ato will be needed for future trips

 

[1guydude]

Hope all is well kenny! Im makin a come back. Lol

 

[terraincognita]

Id leave the returns off but any power heads on if you have any or can.

Otherwise doesn't really matter if nothing living inside yet.