going away for christmas what to do

[zoebeaglezoe]

vacation

[zoebeaglezoe]

opppss!!!!

going to be gone for seven days have vlamangi tang , kole tang,magnifecent foxface ,and a small yashia shrimp goby whats the best thing to do about feeding them was thing of an automatic feeder looking for opinions and also waht about evaporation I lose about 2 gallons aday what should I do ?

[I Love Coral]

Say a prayer.

[SRVDVM]

as far as the evaporation goes...look into an autotopoff system.
May be a little late for taht if you are leaving this week.
Got a neighbor who can do the top off for you?

[BucNtears]

Could you fill the sump/ruge all the way to the top?That might help.
All else fails ask a trusted family member or friend

[ILikeFish]

Bah I add water once a week if that.

What kinda lighitng do you have? Arent most of your fish herbivores? If so go buy a couple 2 dollars clips and fix some food them.

[Agu]

Pay someone to watch your tank and check it every day. Leave a list of things to check and the phone numbers of local reefers in case there's a problem. Freeze daily food rations so they don't overfeed, and hide the rest of the food.

But most importantly, stock up on their favorite snacks and beverages.

Had a friend watch my tanks, when I had several tanks, for two weeks. Every night after dinner he walked over, observed the tanks, and drank my beer for three hours. Left the wife and two teenage girls at home to take care of my tanks .

She complained I under paid him, he wouldn't take the ten dollars a day I offered him, it was the best vacation he'd had in years .

[MrChico]

Maybe turn off the lights for the week and lower temp. a couple degrees to keep the evaporation down. just a thought I might be wrong, this could kill everything. What do others think?

[Acreagedad]

Turn the lights off for a week completely??? I wouldn't think so. Put those suckers on an inexpensive timer, maybe you could try to reduce the lighting time. I only use my timer when I go away on vacation. I don't choose to use it when I'm around because I want to feel the hobby and be involved.

Yes, an automatic feeder is such a convenience.

As far as evaporation without having some trusted family or friend coming over...I have no answer and would love to seee what some of the experts have to say. I would be concerned particularly with a rise in salinity, I guess. I've seen people lower their salinity level days before going away, only to return to have it back at the original operating level.

I can't find where you indicated what size tank you have??? Two gallons a day???

[graveyardworm]

Going away for Xmas you have plenty of time to prepare. I bought one of these setups and havent had to add water since works great.

[tranz]

I'll go with graveyardworm on this one....get a auto top off device for evaporation....for feeding get an auto feeder.....feeding is not a main concern ....fish can survive for weeks before dying of starvation.

[hondadude2k5]

I use automatic feeders and power timers. I find they work great. I have multiple tanks both fresh and salt so each tank gets taken care of different. However, automatic feeders are on everytank when I leave. You can buy one relatively cheap at wal-mart and it takes 1 double A battery. It will feed an adjustable amount of food every 12 hours and they can last up to 4 weeks at a time. I would suggest an auto top-off for water evap. I lose maybe a gallon a week in my salt but my freshwater tanks lose water like crazy so i have top-offs on them.

[ONEMANBAND]

call Rod, he can hook you up with a float switch for evaporation.

[Triggerman1964]

Originally posted by Agu
Pay someone to watch your tank and check it every day. Leave a list of things to check and the phone numbers of local reefers in case there's a problem. Freeze daily food rations so they don't overfeed, and hide the rest of the food.

But most importantly, stock up on their favorite snacks and beverages.

Had a friend watch my tanks, when I had several tanks, for two weeks. Every night after dinner he walked over, observed the tanks, and drank my beer for three hours. Left the wife and two teenage girls at home to take care of my tanks .

She complained I under paid him, he wouldn't take the ten dollars a day I offered him, it was the best vacation he'd had in years .

Great advice Agu
Find someone reliable .....................
I went to hawaii for 12 days.Had detailed instructions and food rationed out.
I lost 8" Imperator angel and a Boxfish.
I'm pretty sure they starved.
I still miss that Angelfish.

[welshnumber8]

Yes turn the lights of, lower the temp. Also top up before you leave. If you got a neighbour ask them to check and if possible spot feed and top up water.

[SRVDVM]

Topping off/filling your sump all the way is not a good idea. Creates havoc with salinity. If you are not going away until christmas, get the auto top off unit installed, get your lights and any cooling fans on timers. Fish and all do not need to be fed for a week
I would also have a freind check on it a few times while you were gone

[Triggerman1964]

Originally posted by Triggerman1964
Great advice Agu
Find someone reliable .....................
I went to hawaii for 12 days.Had detailed instructions and food rationed out.
I lost 8" Imperator angel and a Boxfish.
I'm pretty sure they starved.
I still miss that Angelfish.

I am really glad I don't have corals.I can't even imagine.Find someone reliable.
Here is what I lost.
He was just starting to change too.





Here's one reason I love my pred tanks.They all survived.



RIP

[wfrost]

The cheapest most reliable auto feeder you can buy are Black Molly's. Acclimate slowly to the salt water and they will do fine. Constant breeders = constant food source for your tank. My Green Chromis school learned real quick to just follow the females around for a easy meal.