Vacation Checklist for Babysitter

TwoTables · Apr 21, 2012

I think I rreally need a checklist for the person responsible for my fishtank for a week. The last vacation was almost a disaster, as they knocked the timers off and left the tank lights on 24/7 AND did not read the temperature and dropped that and almost killed everything in the tank because we turned the house heat down. And of course, did not add any water....

I am terrifed to leave the tank now because it is doing so well, and has so many things in it. Anybody else have suggestions of how I should prepare my tank for vacation, other than a good water changing and putting out daily food servings in weekly pill pack?

I want an ATO, but I really need to cut down on how much I've been spending, and I know there are DIY out there, and I need to get on this. Some suggestions? I don't have much choice on babysitters, but I would hate to come home and choke my Best friend over my coral...

revhtree · Apr 21, 2012

Great thread! I will post some info in a bit. Let's hear from everyone and we can create a nice list.

Acro76 · Apr 21, 2012

I know a few people who use this:

iBaby Monitor - Apple Store (U.S.)

revhtree · Apr 21, 2012

Acro76 said:
I know a few people who use this:

iBaby Monitor - Apple Store (U.S.)

I use a foscam that pretty much does all that and looks like that! LOL! It doesn't alert me if my tank cries though. It only cost me $99.

Acro76 · Apr 21, 2012

revhtree said:
I use a foscam that pretty much does all that and looks like that! LOL! It doesn't alert me if my tank cries though. It only cost me $99.

Now if someone would just come up with a device so your tank would cry when it needed something!!

Docstomper · Apr 21, 2012

Get ato... what the heck. That's a necessity!! My friends are kinda smart so explaining water top off is easy. Feeding fish should be pretty easy to understand. Dosing... Easy. If not then well I dunno what to tell u

BarbH · Apr 21, 2012

The following information is something that I came across on another site. For choosing a person who will babysit your tank you want someone you can trust and if possible familar with reef keeping. If you are like me and don't have anyone that you know is familar with reef tanks, than you will at least want someone who is detailed oriented. Have a number that they can contact you at if anything seems wrong with your tank, and if you are a member of a local club I would see if you could provide them the number of a club member or two that could help if the need arises. Also I would provide them with the forum website so if needed they could ask any questions or concerns if something doesn't seem right. I would create a checklist for them to be able to follow. General observations how does the water look is it cloudy? Are there any dead fish? Any odd noises?

Have them check and make sure the pumps are running, show them before hand how to tell.

Have them check the temp to make sure it is alright, if it is getting close to your max temp have a plan of action for them to follow. Turning on the ac, floating bags of ice in the sump etc.

Have them check the skimmer and show them how to clean and empty the skimmer cup.

Topping off, if don't have an ato show them where you store your rodi water, how much needs to be added. If you do have an ato have them check the reservoir to see if needs to be filled.

Have them check the specific gravity, show them how to use your refractometer or hydrometer and I would write down what level you keep your specific gravity at.

Feeding the fish ( good idea on using the the pill pack) or can use individual baggies

If you use dosing additives I would cut back to those which are necessary and would have it proportioned out already so that they don't have to measure it out. The proportioned additives I would leave by the check list, any other chemicals would have put away so that nothing gets added to the tank accidentally.

I would also have saltwater prepared incase something major happens which requires a waterchange to be carried out. Also you than have water ready for when you get home to be able to do a waterchange with.

I would also make sure that all electrical cords are labeled cleary, so that way if they do need to unplug anything they are not guessing. Also makes it easier on you when you need to disconnect something.

For preparation of possible power loss having a couple of battery powered air pumps that turn on automatically when the power goes out and have them already set up to go while you are away. Along with that some fresh batteries that are out incase they are needed.

Docstomper · Apr 21, 2012

That was wayyy better info than I posted!!!

kschweer · Apr 21, 2012

Some great advice in this thread. That ibaby monitor is pretty sweet. And I also really like the idea of giving the person access to your account on the forums incase of emergency to ask questions. Only other thing I can add is to make sure your tank is in very good shape before leaving. Do your water change the day before or the day that you leave. If your tanks looks really good before you leave it will make it easier for the "babysitter" to notice if something doesn't look right or if something is wrong. Good luck I know I worry every time I leave my tanks for an extended period of time and I have a pretty good tanksitter.

mallorieGgator · Apr 21, 2012

I have the same problem and the guy that does our tank knows reef tanks. I did more than I normally did last time. I divided the food into portions and everything. Can home to a tank with glass algae so thick I couldn't see well into the tank. The rocks were toppled over which was irritating because they wouldn't just fall over that easily. I think he was irritated he had to feed our cats so he didn't do much with the tank. My thought is when you take care of someone's tank, do it like you would want your tank to be taken care of. I guess that idea has been lost in society today.

TwoTables · Apr 22, 2012

You know, I was reading about the nanny cam thing and had an epiphany: Use my computer laptop to check in on the tank. My laptop has a webcam integrated right into it, all I need to do is leave the laptop facing the tank, to check in. I might try that out just to look at how everything is going and help my sitter.

MBG75 · Apr 22, 2012

I just got back from vaca.
Was able to watch my tank via a wireless network web cam and my apex lite controller.
All this on my smartphone.
Here a snapshot pic from the cam

MBG75 · Apr 22, 2012

TwoTables said:
You know, I was reading about the nanny cam thing and had an epiphany: Use my computer laptop to check in on the tank. My laptop has a webcam integrated right into it, all I need to do is leave the laptop facing the tank, to check in. I might try that out just to look at how everything is going and help my sitter.

This would work. As long as the power doesn't blink causing the computer to shut down

Texasnano · Apr 22, 2012

Good info I'm taking a vac soon as well

TwoTables · Apr 29, 2012

MBG75 said:
This would work. As long as the power doesn't blink causing the computer to shut down

Battery back up. gota a box hooked up already because of power fluctuations and IT guy freaking me out over them.. plus i have one pump and the heater hooked up to it......and the back up for that is my MIL living next door with the LFS phone number. So if the power cuts out, I have someone on the case, and I'll know because I have Kaspersky, and it *shwing* will send me a text if the back up pack comes on. Complicated, yes. Cheap, indeed, using things I already have. I just need to add some gum and duct tape .. I already used a rubber band on the protein skimmer (as a gasket).. so Yes. Engineering that should have federal funding ..