Going overseas

[Rocks]

Hi..

Next week, I will be away for a 8 days.. anyone has any advise what i need to prepare my tank so that it will "auto-pilot" during my absent?

No one will be at home to take care of the tank.

Action Plan

(1) Monthly water change date is next week, so intend to change water 1-2 before leaving

(2) Intend to buy an auto-feeder for the fishes

(3) Feed the corals a day before leaving

(4) Reduce the timing for MH lights

any advise would be helpful... thank you.

CHEERS

[flamey]

neighbours? r u close to them.. maybe can ask for help.. maybe juz check at nite whether ther's power trip or anything lke dat.. other than dat i believe shudnt be a major prob..

[Rocks]

neighbours? r u close to them.. maybe can ask for help.. maybe juz check at nite whether ther's power trip or anything lke dat.. other than dat i believe shudnt be a major prob..

thanks.

neighbours not that close.

my alternative plan to check power failure is to setup my HP (with ear piece attached) to auto answer incoming call.

The ear piece's microphone will be placed in my tank's cabinet where the sump tank is.. So... occasionally call my hp and if i hear the return pump running noise then power is up.. if dead silent then something is wrong and will call my sis-in-law (staying near by) to pop by my house to check..

Actually i long wanted to DIY an auto call-back phone that will call back to my hp when power failure... but than lazy ..

[wil_lee76]

i think the best is to find some of your close friends or relatives to montior your tank while u are away. I do that while im overseas...the most, once you are back. GET them some presents as a token of appreciations!

[Kelmen]

Just an idea:

Maybe setup a (good) webcam, so incase can ask someone to "guide" you to insepct it.

Or position it good enough to have a direct look to your tank, like some CCTV\home security setup.

hehe...

[tineng]

the thing about auto feeder is it tends to release too much food, so there is a danger that it might pollute your tank.....you might want to get your sis-in-law to drop by every 2-3 days just to drop some food....just remember to pack them into serving sizes so she will not overfeed.....

[Reefbum]

Since you alreday going to do things before you leave, think it should be ok for juz a week.Fishes don't need to be fed daily.Twice a week should be ok.

[Dazza]

yep no need to everyday feed lah. Hv u thght abt your water topup tho as I noticed u didnt mention that

[moorish_idol]

Yup listen to Dazza, better get a tubby as the water lvl might drop and cause ur SG to raise.

Trust me u can get ur friend to help in feeding, timer for the light, but for topping up of water, u can depend on no one..

[Kelmen]

If some of the stocks used to be feed regulary, starving them may make them behave erratically? Like some start to taste on some polyp or small fishes\snails?

Maybe set the autofeeder to feed about 2 or 3 times in 1 week only will reduce that possibility?

[hotlemond]

Corals will be fine and with the auto feeder the fishes shouldn't have much problem. But i am worry for the equipment running, espcially the MH, since there is no way you can tell whether its running or it did not stop. Applying some Muphy's law here.

Unless your timer is absolutely reliable, otherwise have a relative to come over to check. Just get them a present when you return lor

[mabro]

maybe you can try asking your parents of "good friends" to drop by ur house to check once every two days ?

[jackal]

I always on the move...in out of country. The most I am away is about 8 or 9 days. If your LS and corals are already stable, have a chiller and an auto feeder....no worries mate!

I jz home from a 8 days trip. Few days before I leave, i make sure water parameter good.. Feed the corals market shrimps...feed fishes with frozen brine shrimp.. Change water one day before departure and lastly before I leave the house, I make sure all switches are ok. Fishes can survive with food from a single small feeding from auto feeder. Don't worry about water evaporation rate cuz its only about 1 and half inches,cuz I am using chiller.

I can understand yr anxiety cuz I am little kanchong when I am away. SAY A PRAYER BEFORE YOU LEAVE AND TRUST GOD TO TAKE CARE OF IT. So far, after a year in the hobby...nothing happen! TOUCH WOOD.

Good luck bro

[Rocks]

Hi All,

Came back from my overseas trip (26 Apr - 3 May) and glad to find the tank to be running fine in "auto-pilot". But there are somethings i do notice..

(1) A few patches of algea on the glass wall.. (expected)

(2) Fishes got a little thinner ... didn't use auto-feeder but most important they survived

(3) Corals are doing fine (fed them before leaving)

(4) Equipment are running fine ... luckily there isn't any thunder-storm which sometime can trip circuit-box.

Losses... noticed my monk tang when hidding in a corner since i came back... further observed his body was kanna attacked (probably by my YT) a few days later it passed away.

A BIG THANK YOU for everyone's feedback and suggestion above.. the next time i travel on a long trip, i will know what to do after this experience.

CHEERS!