what to do what to do

[freeborder_01]

Im going to be going home for thanksgiving break and might have to leave my tank unattended for like 5 days. What are your guys feelings on it? I planned to feed my goby and 2 sexy shrimp as i was walking out the door as well as 2-3 drops of phyto for the coral. I just have to hope my sexy shrimp dont start snacking on my corals like they sometimes do. Would you guys say its ok if i was gone for like 4 or 5 days depending on how you count? I was going to try and rig a auto top off this weekend if i could. Otherwise i was going to just over top off my tank slowly for like 4 days so the salinity drops to like 1.023 1.022 then as it evaporated it would slowly raise up to no more than 1.028 i would hope. Let me know what you think

 

[rotarymagic]

Originally Posted by Freeborder_01
http:///forum/post/2844038
Im going to be going home for thanksgiving break and might have to leave my tank unattended for like 5 days. What are your guys feelings on it? I planned to feed my goby and 2 sexy shrimp as i was walking out the door as well as 2-3 drops of phyto for the coral. I just have to hope my sexy shrimp dont start snacking on my corals like they sometimes do. Would you guys say its ok if i was gone for like 4 or 5 days depending on how you count? I was going to try and rig a auto top off this weekend if i could. Otherwise i was going to just over top off my tank slowly for like 4 days so the salinity drops to like 1.023 1.022 then as it evaporated it would slowly raise up to no more than 1.028 i would hope. Let me know what you think
test the ATO system in advance lol... don't come back to a flooded tank.
You could get a floatswitch for like $10 and hook it up to lowflowing pump.. Just clean the floatswitch before you leave and it'll work out ok.
I would also get an auto feeder that'll drop slow sinking pellets (formula one?) into the tank. I also do water changes the day I'm leaving..

 

[rebelprettyboy]

5 days without food is no problem at all...
And sexy Shrimp eating coral? Nvr heard of that one!!
But al in all u should be fine....
Makes sure all ur timers are working proprely

 

[whisk]

great topic, im running into a similar issue around christmas, ill be gone for 8 days, i wont have any fish or corals yet to feed but im counting on making sure my water level is high, my light hours lowered and having a friend check every couple days to make sure nothing obvious is wrong.
Also, if you have a GFCI (which you should) you may want to temporarily unplug it. That way you wont have to worry about the GFCI tripping and shutting off your equipment while your away.

 

[freeborder_01]

luckily my friend will be home, as far as he has said (im sure his parents will have different feelings upon telling them) that i could have top off. My plan is to not feed at all, would only be beneficial due to excess nutrient buildup/cyano im dealing with. The auto top off is going to be a simple rat/hampster water bottle with the metal ball bunched out. Fill it air tight with ro/di water and attach it to the tank with the tip in. As long as the seal is tight any time the water gets too low air will fill the water bottle releasing water into the tank until the water covers the hole and air no longer goes into the bottle. Ive seen it on a few small pico tanks with a lot of success. If im lucky my friend will still be here and i can teach him how to top off my tank. Im just scared he will f it up one night when hes high or something.
Also as far as water changes go i do mine on sunday so it will be sunday waterchange leave tuesday come home sunday after noon, mix salt water and top off tank to appropriate level. Let that all sit until later that night and then do the water change to the water has had sometime to become stable again