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| XMAS Vacation- tank prep ?s |
 Dec 14 2009, 04:09 PM
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#1
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 Home Ec. 101  Posts: 688 Joined: 12-April 09 From: Houston, TX Member No.: 44,019  |
I am trying to get the tank ready for when we leave on our 12 day vacation. During these 12 days, I will have my neighbor (who doesnt have a clue about SW tanks) come over and feed the fish, clean the glass and add my only supplement. I will do a 3 gallon water change 2 days before I leave. My questions are:
1) In my media rack, I run poly-fil but was thinking about not running it for the 12 days. I usually change it out once during the week and didnt want it to just sit there for 12 days. I dont think my neighbor could handle changing it. Would this be a problem or should I let it sit there for the 12 days? 2) I usually feed my 2 fish (sixline and maroon clown) every other day and was planning on keeping that schedule or maybe feeding every 3rd day. I would like to feed less since the water wouldnt be changed for 14 days (essentially skipping 1 week of a water change). As it is, at the end of 7 days, my nitrates read 0 (running poly-fil/chemipure elite/purigen/fuge in media rack). But if I do not run the poly-fil, maybe more food will get back into the rear chambers and cause nitrates? I dont think the food will get out of the media rack since the chemipure bag is a tight fit in the middle section. So feeding less would be a plus, but I dont want to starve the fish. Any opinions on this? Thanks! -------------------- |
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Dec 14 2009, 04:27 PM
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#2
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 Nano Reefer Posts: 430 Joined: 14-October 08 From: Seattle, WA Member No.: 39,469 |
Hey Mad devil, I went on vacation back in september for 9 days. I had food in a cup ready for the person coming over to dump in the tank which was very easy for them to do. I also had a cup of RO water for them to put in for evaporation; Just place a piece of tape at the Water line you want it at for them to add to unless of course you have an ATO. I would have two cups ready with food for 5 days in and 10 days in, just dont overdue the amount of food you feed. They can go a few days without eating. If evap is a problem you can also cut down on your light cycle as well. Just my 2 cents. Anyone else?
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Dec 14 2009, 04:32 PM
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#3
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 Nano Reefer Posts: 614 Joined: 13-September 07 From: Rushville IN Member No.: 31,104 |
In my opinion you change your water a lot to start with. Dont get me wrong, this is a good thing. I think most people only do a water change every 2 weeks to a month anyway. I would leave out the poly filter and just have your neighbor feed every other day.
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Dec 14 2009, 04:52 PM
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#4
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I can change this? Posts: 733 Joined: 26-May 08 From: Stockton, Ca Member No.: 36,874 |
whatever you decide, keep it very simple.
food in cups clearly labeled so theres no chance of overfeeding or mixing up days. same goes for any top-off water I wouldn't have them do any more than that, even if the sitter is a experienced reefer, they just dont know any quirks your tank may have. -------------------- |
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Dec 14 2009, 05:08 PM
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#5
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 Be Right Back Posts: 256 Joined: 24-November 09 From: Farragut, TN Member No.: 48,648 |
Tank sitter!
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Dec 14 2009, 05:17 PM
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#6
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Nano Reefer Posts: 4,315 Joined: 19-August 06 From: michigan Member No.: 21,950 |
QUOTE (Whacked @ Dec 14 2009, 04:52 PM)  whatever you decide, keep it very simple. food in cups clearly labeled so theres no chance of overfeeding or mixing up days. same goes for any top-off water I wouldn't have them do any more than that, even if the sitter is a experienced reefer, they just dont know any quirks your tank may have. x2 and i would get rid of the floss for the time ur gone. people that r not into sw tanks have a tendency to over feed. i like to divide my food up as the one time i didnt i came home to 240g of algea and almost the whole container of food gone. it took me a month to clean the tank up but at least i didnt lose any thing. |
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Dec 15 2009, 09:49 AM
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#7
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Home Ec. 101 Posts: 688 Joined: 12-April 09 From: Houston, TX Member No.: 44,019 |
I tried my neighbor out when we went on vacation for Thanksgiving (5 days). She did a good job, but I made it real simple. I did exactly what you said and had the food ready in the freezer in extra test vials I had. As for top-off, I have an ATO, so no worries there.
So it looks like not running the poly-fil for the 12 days should be ok. I am thinking though to alternate the feeding, feed 2 days later then 3 days later and repeat this pattern. I think the fish should be ok with this. Though for some reasom my clown has a habit to nip at my torch and frogspawn every once in a while, not sure why though - hungry? -------------------- |
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Dec 15 2009, 11:21 AM
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#8
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 Owner of a 39 Gallon Shark Tank Posts: 1,010 Joined: 10-April 09 From: Los Angeles, Ca Member No.: 43,970 |
QUOTE (Atomic081 @ Dec 14 2009, 01:32 PM) In my opinion you change your water a lot to start with. Dont get me wrong, this is a good thing. I think most people only do a water change every 2 weeks to a month anyway. I would leave out the poly filter and just have your neighbor feed every other day. I've only changed my water once in 5 months... -------------------- Rizakaniza's 39G Cadlights Pro
QUOTE (HecticDialectics @ Sep 9 2009, 10:20 AM) I neither respect nor agree with your opinion. However, you are entitled to it, no matter how horrible it is. QUOTE (Orange Crush @ Apr 2 2009, 03:06 PM) i hate people too. that's why i'm going into nursing. |
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Dec 15 2009, 12:11 PM
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#9
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Home Ec. 101 Posts: 688 Joined: 12-April 09 From: Houston, TX Member No.: 44,019 |
QUOTE (rizakaniza @ Dec 15 2009, 10:21 AM) I've only changed my water once in 5 months...   
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