Preparing for a week long trip

[CashFan83]

Okay so we're going to Florida for a week. Have the ATO set up and working with an ample storage container, all the lights are on timers, just did a water change. Have the digital auto feeder tested and operating as desired. Anything anyone can think of I may be leaving out? Generators are out of the question but I do have 3 battery powered airpumps that I plan on teaching the tank baby sitter how to use in case of an outage. So any ideas let me know!?

[korndiddy20]

personally ive heard to many horror stories about going on vacation. I wouldnt have a auto feeder, i dont trust them. Last thing you need is the thing to go stupid and dump a bunch of food in your tank leaving your tank sitter to try to fix the issue. can the tank last a week with out being fed. or maybe the sitter can feed one cube of something every other day.

[spartyblaze]

Don't forget to have fun! Sounds like everything should be okay.

[CashFan83]

I may just do the every other day feed thing, going to give the auto feeder a couple days to see how it performs regardless. And thanks I am hoping we should have fun, my 3 year old daughter is losing her mind because she found out we are going to see real mermaids ( the weekee wachi mermaids) spelling? any how the wife also has something "special" planned as we'll be down there for my birthday, I have a feeling it's reef,dolphin, or Gator related.

[Sir Patrick]

Dude! Your goin scuba diving!!!!

Good read before a vacation-

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/feature-articles/preparing-your-reef-vacation-7417/

[creefer]

Good luck and have fun! I'm in the same situation as you. I have decided against the auto feeder. I have measured out food for the tank sitter to feed and feeding will be done every other day while we are gone. I also have a checklist together for the tank sitter. I'll be showing the tank sitter how to use the generator (manual hook up) in the event of a power outtage. Top off will be full, extra RO/DI and Saltwater will be on hand in the case of an emergency. I have also ordered another heater in the event of failure. It's bout all I could come up with.

[jimsflies]

We have a nice article on the subject:
http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/feature-articles/preparing-your-reef-vacation-7417/

I personally use the Super Feeder automatic feeder and it has never let me down. It interfaces well with a controller.

[180wall]

I am with you Jim I use i everyday, so no worries on how it's going to work. I can tell you what I did in the past you do not want to do do a water change just days before leaving and forget to connect the power to ato.

[Tankster]

is your tank sitter experienced? or should they have an emergency contact list?

[rmalone]

For feeding I pre-portion the food in those flip open 7day pill containers. With instructions not to give double if they forget or can't make it to the tank for some reason.
Make sure to show the sitter how to check the water level where the float is and what to do if the ato doesn't work. Take my word for it, that info is a pain to convey over the phone, when the sitter calls and says there's lots of liitle bubbles in the tank.

[creefer]

My tank sitter is not experienced. Further, I don't have any friends (outside of CR members that i have had dialogue with on the site) that I trust to be in my home while away that are familiar or experienced with a reef tank.


is your tank sitter experienced? or should they have an emergency contact list?

[creefer]

I have read the article. Thanks for the link. Definitely good information here.



We have a nice article on the subject:
http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/feature-articles/preparing-your-reef-vacation-7417/

I personally use the Super Feeder automatic feeder and it has never let me down. It interfaces well with a controller.

[CashFan83]

Thanks for everyone's imput I will defiinately be reading the article thanks chris & Jim. I think the mother in law is going to be coming over every other day I have the aqua chef auto feeder bought it from tom and his crew. Gonna see how everything runs til Friday to see how much I'm gonna rely on automation and how much I'll have to teach the mother in law.

[creefer]

Keep us posted Nathan.

[CashFan83]

little update had the setting on the ATO in the wrong mode, works now, also the wife sprung the suprise on me I asked if it was a just me thing or a whole family thing because there's no way in **** I would go sky diving. She said she was gonna do scuba diving but it was too expensive adding it to the cost of the Kindle she got me, so instead we are driving to Miami to visit the coral castle. I'll make sure I get pics for everyone.

[Sir Patrick]

Sweet!!!

[CashFan83]

Coral Castle Museum (http://coralcastle.com/)

in case anyone is interested.

[Mr. Microscope]

Since my tank is at work, I often leave it for periods of time including weekends. As long as the ATO is filled it's okay. Just feed before you leave and when you get back and follow your normal water change regime. Two weeks would be stretching it without someone checking in on it, but one should be fine.