Going on Vacaation??????

[nitram]

I am going on vacation for a week and was wondering if I could leave my lights on or off while I am gone. What about feeding as well, do they need to be feed everyday?

 

[ryan115]

get a timer. I use them even when im not on vacation. They are good to have because they will keep your light on a more constant time frame which is better for your fish. You could also get an auto feeder seemed to work pretty well for me, but set it up before you go to make sure that it is running right and not letting out too much food. Or you could get someone to feed them for you.

 

[reefnut]

Second the timer... vacation or not.
I would find a tank sitter. Someone to come in and replce evaporated water, feed the tank and just check on it.

 

[nm reef]

A decent timer is cheap and readily available...I'd sure urge you to invest in one...vacation or not. Any marine system will benefit from a scheduled day/night pattern and a timer is a good way to establish that pattern.
I'd also try to make arrangements with somebody you can trust to stop by daily to top off...feed...and just check things out. As we all know bad things can happen real quick and Murphys Law stipulates that if something bad will happen it'll most likely be while you are away...

 

[flatzboy]

Imo, I set up an autotopoff all you need is a floatswitch and a small maxijet pump it should only cost under $50 there good to have while your not on vaction to you won't have to worry about the tank sitter forgeting to top it off. I also second the timer it makes it so much easier to keep a steady photoperiod. I also like the automatic feeders if you only have smaller fish that eat flake, I'd find one that has slots in it where you place the food so you can control how much comes out and not overfeed. All these things will allow you to enjoy your tank more on vaction or not because Imo as soon as it feels like work with my tank is when it doesn't become fun.