Going Away for a few weeks

al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Hi everyone, I want to throw this out - I am going away on a business trip for a couple weeks, I worry about my tank when I am not here, I have everything covered except for the skimmer. Should I shut it off or put a resevoir to help collect the skimate. The ATS is running prety good I think, has some good hair algae growing. I worry about the skimmer overflowing and causing a mini spike. Someone is here but I don't think they can empty (or the can put up with the smell) the collecton cup. I think I might set it up to skim really dry.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
did it come with the drain? If so, just put a tube on it, and let it empty into a milk jug......OR just turn it off
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Yes it has a drain, I am always paranoid of skimmers and me being away. Maybe I will just do that - thanks Lois.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/385720/going-away-for-a-few-weeks#post_3383939
20 days - the nipple on the bottom of the cup is just at the top of the sump I don't know if I can put a hole on it - I guess it would still drain if it went over the side - kinda like a P-trap I guess. This is my job for tomorrow to try this. Thanks Corey.
It should as long as the skimmer cup stays higher than the hose. Maybe who ever is at the house can keep an eye on it and just be ready to shut the skimmer off incase of a problem. It should be fine for a week or two being turned off with the ats running.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/385720/going-away-for-a-few-weeks#post_3384203
I thnk that is what I will do, hey TL any new pictures of you Fu, how is the little guy doing?
He's doing good. Still waiting on feeder shrimp to be delivered
He's very full from the last mollie he ate though, so not super worried, and I still have one more to go. Such a cool little fish. It's hard to get a good picture of him, he hides in the darn caulerpa all day.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I have a million baby guppies these day, just have to get the net past my son when i finally get that fuzzy dwarf when I get back. Glad to here your Fu is doing well. I might consider one someday.
 
stdreb27

stdreb27

Active Member
I'm always nervous too, I've never left my fish for more than 10 days. Had nightmares every night. Remarkably enough that trip was the only time I didn't have any issues.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by stdreb27 http:///forum/thread/385720/going-away-for-a-few-weeks#post_3384372
I'm always nervous too, I've never left my fish for more than 10 days. Had nightmares every night. Remarkably enough that trip was the only time I didn't have any issues.
Last time i went on this trip, and this was before I had my new system sump fuge, I set up an auto top off using a float system in the DT tank. What a nightmare, my wife called me in the middle of the night - she said there is water everywhere in the dining room. The float switch (by coral life) came apart and allowed the top off water to run constantly. The water shorted out the heater pump (GFCI). I told her to shut off the valve on the 3/8 supply top off. Everything dried out in a couple of days, at that time i had the HOB fuge with the heater in it. She put the heater in the main tank got the pump running and eventually the tank came back to somewhat normal. I had no way of telling what the sg was all I new is that the heater nad pump were both running. By the time I got back the DT was about 3 to 4 inches emptier and by that time with the evaporation the sg was perfect. Luckily nothing died but I hated being away. Now I am setting up a 30 gallon top off reservoir and hopefully it will take care of things. And I have the JBJ ATO setup.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/385720/going-away-for-a-few-weeks#post_3384427
Last time i went on this trip, and this was before I had my new system sump fuge, I set up an auto top off using a float system in the DT tank. What a nightmare, my wife called me in the middle of the night - she said there is water everywhere in the dining room. The float switch (by coral life) came apart and allowed the top off water to run constantly. The water shorted out the heater pump (GFCI). I told her to shut off the valve on the 3/8 supply top off. Everything dried out in a couple of days, at that time i had the HOB fuge with the heater in it. She put the heater in the main tank got the pump running and eventually the tank came back to somewhat normal. I had no way of telling what the sg was all I new is that the heater nad pump were both running. By the time I got back the DT was about 3 to 4 inches emptier and by that time with the evaporation the sg was perfect. Luckily nothing died but I hated being away. Now I am setting up a 30 gallon top off reservoir and hopefully it will take care of things. And I have the JBJ ATO setup.
I hope things go smoother this time, what a nightmare. I have the JBJ, it's a pretty good system and I set mine up so it won't run the pump if the water gets too low in the holding container saving the pump. However my 37g holding tub only lasts me a week for top off on the 90g. Turn off the skimmer while you are gone just in case it should over skim, it won't drain the ATO system and cause too problems.
6 years ago in a 75g tank loaded with corals we only run our skimmer once a month for a day...so 2 weeks without it won't hurt your tank critters.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Thanks Flower, I intend to keep the skimmer off, You really use 37 gallons in a week for top off , That is like 5 gallons a day, wow. I have figured about 1 to 1.5 gallons per day. I have the reservoir pump set up with sensor 2 - to shut off if reservoir runs out. I am glad to hear that you have your ATO running I new you had a few issues with it, I forgot if you posted that you got it running. Flower how much reef builder do you put in your top off?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/385720/going-away-for-a-few-weeks#post_3384499
Thanks Flower, I intend to keep the skimmer off, You really use 37 gallons in a week for top off , That is like 5 gallons a day, wow. I have figured about 1 to 1.5 gallons per day. I have the reservoir pump set up with sensor 2 - to shut off if reservoir runs out. I am glad to hear that you have your ATO running I new you had a few issues with it, I forgot if you posted that you got it running. Flower how much reef builder do you put in your top off?

It has the amount on the container, which says 1/2 teaspoon per 40g...My container is only 37g but I use that amount anyway. My KH (Alk) reading is usually around 9 on the API test score, between 8 and 12 is supposed to be good. My ATO is down again, I severed the the sensor cord when I was messing around with the sump, so now I need to get a new one. For now I am back to manual but I still fill my container next to the tank and add my buffer and dip out what I need each morning to refill the sump to the right level, and it's about 3g a day. I set my ATO up and refill it once a week, I never let it drain dry so I always had a little water still in the container when I refilled it.
I keep the 90g at 80-82 so it's pretty warm. The SH tank is always 75 degrees and I add top off every other day because only about a half inch evaporates. So the warmer the tank, the higher the evaporation...at least it seems that way for me.
If you have time before your trip...set it all up and watch to see how well the system works without your attendance, that way you can see what would happen while your away. A full rehearsal is the best way to be sure all is running right and give you peace of mind.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I did set up the 37 gallon last night - there is another thread I started about that. I marked the level and I will see how much it uses in 7 days, I think I will be alright for my time away - I keep my tank at about 78 deg F. Thanks Flower
Flower you could strip the wires back and splice them - just put the same colors back together, there should be no more than 3 wires - I think. After you splice them together wrap it good with some electrical tape. it should help you out till you get a new one, you might not even have to get a new one.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/385720/going-away-for-a-few-weeks#post_3384751
I did set up the 37 gallon last night - there is another thread I started about that. I marked the level and I will see how much it uses in 7 days, I think I will be alright for my time away - I keep my tank at about 78 deg F. Thanks Flower
Flower you could strip the wires back and splice them - just put the same colors back together, there should be no more than 3 wires - I think. After you splice them together wrap it good with some electrical tape. it should help you out till you get a new one, you might not even have to get a new one.
Wouldn't that be super dangerous? I electrocuted the tank once already with a broken heater, where it's cut it would be underwater..even electric tape wouldn't be safe underwater, it might protect from moisture but total submersion???
 
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