Work away from home

[Albertan_Reef]

As the title says, I work away from home, either on a 2 week on , 1 week off schedule or 2 week on 2 week off.

Do any of you other reef nerds work away from home? How do you do it? Right now my wife takes care of my tank when I’m away (she feeds it once a day if that). But I’m about to endure some life changing events that would remove that aspect of the picture.

So any one who does it with out a significant other at home, what do you do? Just fully automate it? Or is it worth keeping?

 

[User1]

As the title says, I work away from home, either on a 2 week on , 1 week off schedule or 2 week on 2 week off.

Do any of you other reef nerds work away from home? How do you do it? Right now my wife takes care of my tank when I’m away (she feeds it once a day if that). But I’m about to endure some life changing events that would remove that aspect of the picture.

So any one who does it with out a significant other at home, what do you do? Just fully automate it? Or is it worth keeping?

I was traveling a lot this year so my tank was left alone on auto pilot with some assistance from my wife and children. The key I found is making a list of what things do or what to do if something goes wrong. or doesn't turn on / off. The controller seemed to help more than anything else along with the auto feeder. Looking back I would say:

1. Auto feeder
2. Auto top off - with enough RI/RO water stored for easy refill (if you do this manually like I do)
3. Light control - Apex and Reef Angel for me
4. Document quick fix items
5. In case of catastrophic failure - who to call for backup

More or less that is how I ran it since I was usually in a different time zone.

 

[Albertan_Reef]

I was traveling a lot this year so my tank was left alone on auto pilot with some assistance from my wife and children. The key I found is making a list of what things do or what to do if something goes wrong. or doesn't turn on / off. The controller seemed to help more than anything else along with the auto feeder. Looking back I would say:

1. Auto feeder
2. Auto top off - with enough RI/RO water stored for easy refill (if you do this manually like I do)
3. Light control - Apex and Reef Angel for me
4. Document quick fix items
5. In case of catastrophic failure - who to call for backup

More or less that is how I ran it since I was usually in a different time zone.

Everything is automated already. And I use a 45 gallon brute for my top off.

I guess the only thing my wife really does is deeds the tank. I do the rest via apex.


And I’m sure there’s a service here that could do weekly check ups on the tank. Like making sure it’s not leaking lol

 

[NS Mike D]

I used to be a road warrior. I can't imagine keeping my reef tank if I had to go back to that routine. My 100 gal cichlid tank I kept back then was easy, even without an ATO.

 

[Albertan_Reef]

I used to be a road warrior. I can't imagine keeping my reef tank if I had to go back to that routine. My 100 gal cichlid tank I kept back then was easy, even without an ATO.

I’ve been doing it for 10 years now. Definitely not the life I want but , my line of work doesn’t pay working locally. Wife is the eyes on it when I’m gone . So it’s nice. But.. may not have a wife after the new year (my choice).

 

[norfolkgarden]

I’ve been doing it for 10 years now. Definitely not the life I want but , my line of work doesn’t pay working locally. Wife is the eyes on it when I’m gone . So it’s nice. But.. may not have a wife after the new year (my choice).

Lol, divorced twice.

Consider working it out!

Reef tank is irrelevant.

 

[ZaneTer]

Hi Albertan

I work away for 3 months at a time and home for two weeks. This is how I have lived for the last 7 years.

I automated everything but I also use an industrial controller. I will not use an apex or ghl. They are toys.

There is a huge amount of advice I can give, if you want it. Things like how to balance heaters and chillers so if one fails you will still be safe. Adding a small amount of salt to your ATO water because you will be losing some salt if you skim. Automatic fish feeder. The list goes on...

Epoxy your PT100 temp proves if you use them. Ensure you can always get remote access to your tank.

The only thing I can’t do while I am away is clean the skimmer. It already drains immediately but after around 6 weeks the neck is full of gunk and has to be washed out. My wife helps me with that. Everything else I do.

Happy to help
Zane