How do you mentally prepare for 2 weeks away from your tank?

[JoJosReef]

Leaving for 2 weeks on Sat. Have coworkers babysitting the office tanks, but still...

I'ma miss my babies

 

[Slocke]

Done this a few times. The best advice I have is to try not to stress.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Set up a camera inside the tank.

 

[fishnchips17]

What I did was I setup a wyze camera so I can check up on my tank. I went away for 6 weeks.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Yeah, I don’t leave for longer than three days. But controllers, cameras, and a tank sitter is the best chance for success imo.

 

[JoJosReef]

I think if it were more than 2 weeks I'd definitely get a camera. For two weeks, I'll settle for Teams calls woth the coworkers to show me how well they've been taking care of them.

 

[SaltyWalty]

When I’ve been gone for long periods of time I would just bite the bullet and pay a local fish store or maintenance company to check in on the tank while I was gone. A lot easier than trying to teach someone who to fill an auto top off or mix kalkwasser

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I take a couple trips out of the year where I am away from my tank. Best advice? Get cameras for your tank, have someone that can come over and check your tanks every couple of days, and don’t stress about it

 

[EliMelly]

What’s up Jo Jo , I’m In LA , I can give you my number and you can call me if you need anything.

 

[JoJosReef]

What’s up Jo Jo , I’m In LA , I can give you my number and you can call me if you need anything.

Thanks! Fortunately all of my tanks are in my office where there's always someone around that can check up on things (except weekends). I've automated feeding and dosing enough that coworkers just have to check on the ATO and add RODI when the reservoir is low and swap out food tubes when the food runs low.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

Mental preparation? What's that??

My younger cousin comes to watch over out tank when we leave. Although she knows what to do and always does a good job, it's still super stressful.

Have fun on your trip, and safe travels!

 

[chip shop]

Pray to whichever god you believe in

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Meh, it's ok, lol.

Just did it myself for 3 weeks on my annual pilgrimage to Central America. Only automation, no human involvement and was less than 2 weeks after a tank move, you got this!

 

[Reeferbadness]

I have 2 x 200g tanks and used to stress a lot when i took the family on trips (2 - 4 weeks). Added Trident's 2 years ago and last year added Reef Dos - which allows you to change the dosing amounts via the cloud - so you can tweak things like ALK/Cal/Mag remotely. Also the Red Sea ATO is in the cloud so i can see ATO activity. With Reef Matt lasting about 6 weeks and Trident reagents good for about the same - i just need my caretaker to feed the fish, top off ATO reservoir and keep the dosing bottles full. Still some stress but a lot less.

 

[KrisReef]

I think if it were more than 2 weeks I'd definitely get a camera. For two weeks, I'll settle for Teams calls woth the coworkers to show me how well they've been taking care of them.

Where in OC?
If this tank is at work I would recommend finding a LFS who can do emergency calls if the coworkers see an issue. My LFS buddy saved my tank when it sprang a leak and the wife couldn't deal with the situation. It would have been a complete loss and I was only traveling in state for a few days when it hit the fan.

Otherwise, to prepare for these kinds of separations I usually pray that the power stays on and the fishes don't miss me.

 

[BigAl07]

• The last couple of days I feed a little heavier than normal.
• I have detailed written instructions for the neighbor including some common "what-ifs"
• I prepare Daily Food in single serving containers (frozen pucks, dried food, etc). While I'm out of town I go to a "reduced feeding amount". About 2/3 what the standard feeding regimen is.
• I top off the ATO reservoir and then have DOUBLE the amount of RODI water they will need sitting in front of the tank.
• Drain the Skimmer and dial it back just a pinch.
• Replace RollerMat media
• Lock the doors and HOPE for the best.

My tanks usually look BETTER after a long vacation than when I was home every day LOL!

 

[TX_REEF]

autofeeder with feeder ring, oversized ATO reservoir with timer on ATO pump to prevent possibility of overfilling, and wifi camera for check ups. LFS can provide (expensive) home service in a pinch if SHTF, and I have a wifi-controlled garage door opener if I need to let them in. Good to go!

 

[Doctorgori]

(Picture a spoon with lighter and bubbling liquid)

Deleted

 

[SueAubu]

Leaving for 2 weeks on Sat. Have coworkers babysitting the office tanks, but still...

I'ma miss my babies

I couldn't do it! It's bad enough what I have to clean up after working 2 or 3 (12-hour and never seeing the tank in light) days...

 

[pwfess]

Easy. I hire a responsible individual to do testing, dosing, feeding and to give me all my updates