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#1
12/07/2007, 08:21 PM
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Urgent!Leaving tank for break!
I really want expert opinions only, please no beginner theories, I have a 25 gal reef that I will be leaving for 4 weeks during my winter break. Below are listed specs and inhabitants:
MECHANICS -Power Compact system, i will time out 5 hrs attinic & 3 1/2 10k per day -SeaClone 100 skimmer( dont judge me im poor and it actually works)... I will turn this off to avoid serious evaporation -Whisper 40, media replaced by 1lb live rock -Aquaclear 300 (standard media) -Custom built UG filter, 2 Aquaclear 30 Pwrhds connected -3 inch live sand bed (40 lbs caribsea) -25 lbs fiji liverock INHABITANTS - 1 emerald crab - 1 false perc - 1 sixline wrasse - 10 snails - 1 peppermint shrimp - 1 scarlet hermit -mushroom colony ( 10 good size ones, inch/inch 1/2 diameter) -multiple pollip colonies ( around four asstd golfball size groups) -small finger leather -small waving xenia -2 small torch corals I will be bringing the fish home but dont have a tank big enough set up for the inverts. I will do a 20% water change ( usual is 10% weekly) tomorrow and will be leaving wed afternoon. I usually get around 1 1/2 gallons evaporated every week and top off. I was going to run a humidifier in the room it is in to reduce that since my apt's pretty dry. I think everything should be okay but I just want to get everyones opinions, tank has been set up for 7 months and is prestine everythings growing so fast and purple. I have been slacking on algae cleanup to build an emergency food supply for crab and shrimp. I know its a weird set-up but its kicking ***, I thought that a small tank would suck but its the best one ive ever had i cant believe my results with it! |
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#2
12/07/2007, 08:33 PM
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Pretty scary to leave it for 4 weeks, you should get a video monitor so you don't go nuts wondering if all is well
 I would be worried about evaporation, there will be a lot in 4 weeks. Otherwise it should probably be fine. Tanks tend to look nicer when you haven't had your hands in them for awhile. |
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#3
12/07/2007, 08:38 PM
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have a friend/neighbor take care of it.
Find your daily Ca + Alk usage Have him/her feed, top off, dose Ca + Alk, and clean the skimmer once in a while. 4 weeks is WAY too long to not do anything.
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40B Mixed Reef 100% Captive Grown Corals See, that's the trouble with the world today. Not enough danger to kill off stupid people before they get old enough to breed. Bring back lawn darts! -PrivateJoker64 |
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#4
12/07/2007, 08:39 PM
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I would never do that ever. I sweat when I would leave my tank for 1 week.
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Who would have thought that something so expensive could relax you so much. |
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#5
12/07/2007, 08:42 PM
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ca and alk are the biggest worries, but it dosn't look like you have many stony corals so you MIGHT be okay. You will need some sort of top-of system at a minimum and food would be good...
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Some people say, "How can you live without knowing?" I do not know what they mean. I always live without knowing. That is easy. How you get to know is what I want to know. - Richard Feynman |
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#7
12/08/2007, 04:06 AM
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You could make a top off for around 20 bucks with a Kent float valve,a ten gallon tub one bulkhead and some ro line,without one I think your return will stop working within 2 weeks,your pump will burn up a day or so later and everyone in the tank will be dead within another couple days. Its a bit late to be adding new equipment though,its sure to fail without a period of testing. If there is no way you can get anyone to check on your tank I believe I would tear it downand try again when you get home. You may be able to contact a local reef club and tell them of your intentions. They may for the sake of your creatures take pity on them and have someone come around once a week. Its your choice but I sure hate to see the animals pay the price when at least they would have some sort of chance at the LFS.
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#8
12/08/2007, 04:27 AM
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Thanks for all of your input. I go to school at Western Illinois Univ in Macomb, IL... No clubs or friends will be around at all during this break. Also the option of building a top off system is out of the question too. My corals are probably smaller than ive described them and I gave the shrimp away. Im bringing all but a few snails and the crab back so i guess i'll keep my fingers crossed... theres really no way i can do anything else. I really appreciate all of your thoughts, the longest ive left it before was 2 weeks, everything surivived save a freshly fragged xenia so hopefully i'll be ok. If any of you care i will let you know how it turned out whgen i get back!
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