Instructions for tank sitters?

kstuart · 01/08/2007, 03:26 PM

I am going on a week long vacation and am wondering what are good ideas as far as instructions and such to leave for the tank sitter? what kind of things or guidelines do others use?

tslabaugh · 01/08/2007, 03:48 PM

I would make a feeding schedule, divide up the food for the days you are gone(keeps them from overfeeding), and get some water in an easy to pour container for top offs. For people who aren't around your tank alot or in the hobby, them noticing something out of the ordinary probably won't happen. I am sure some other people will chime in and give some other advice.

McCrary · 01/08/2007, 04:15 PM

The trick is to leave clear instructions that are easy to follow. A week isn't too bad, I would tell him to feed every other day to reduce the possibility of anything going wrong. The fish may be a little hungry when you get back, but problems that would be taken care of quickly by you will go undiscovered until you get back. As mentioned above make sure that everything is ready to go before you leave. The food should be measured out and the water ready.

dodgersfan25 · 01/08/2007, 04:19 PM

leave an list of things to do during an emergency (just in case). it doesnt hurt to leave one and if something does happen, you'll be glad that you did.

when i leave, i give instructions just in case of power outage, pump failure, etc.

and yeah, very clear instructions (simple enough for a kid) are the key.

dcombs44 · 01/08/2007, 04:21 PM

You may invest in something like a battery powered air pump to leave handy just incase your power would be out for some reason. Depending on how much your skimmer collects, you may tune it down for the week to skim a bit dryer. Make things as self sustaining as you can before you go.

RELAD · 01/08/2007, 04:25 PM

Also leave your tank in good reef hands... Make sure they know what they are doing and not just the neighbor.

davocean · 01/08/2007, 05:10 PM

I prepare food portions in shot glasses and put them in the fridge.
Turn skimmer down.
Leave the RC e-mail addy along w/ my cell number.

DaveJ · 01/08/2007, 05:57 PM

I travel on a weekly basis and have a pet sitter (had a cat too until i had to put him down over the summer). I started with a walk through of the basics and provided clear written instructions and check lists for each day of the week initially... give it to them like a recipe. Its also good to provide photos of all the valve and water levels etc.. I did this for the sump (fresh water filling) and then the skimmer. Happy to report that she has done a very good job and calls the moment she spots anything abnormal or looking out of sorts. She even has started to enjoy it and take pleasure from seeing things grow and function.

Cell phone and an emergency number is important too. I have a local tank service that gave me his personal number to call in case of emergency or she cant reach me. Have only had to call him once.... but thats another thread

01/08/2007, 03:26 PM	#1
kstuart Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 413	Instructions for tank sitters? I am going on a week long vacation and am wondering what are good ideas as far as instructions and such to leave for the tank sitter? what kind of things or guidelines do others use? __________________ Computers allow us to make mistakes faster then any other invention in history....except for tequila and handguns Current Tank Info: 90g RR Display, 2x250w PFO HQI MH's, Phoenix 14k, ASM G3, ACJR, Tunzes/Multi Controller, Kalk Reactor, Basement Sump Room

01/08/2007, 03:48 PM	#2
tslabaugh Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dibble, Oklahoma Posts: 251	I would make a feeding schedule, divide up the food for the days you are gone(keeps them from overfeeding), and get some water in an easy to pour container for top offs. For people who aren't around your tank alot or in the hobby, them noticing something out of the ordinary probably won't happen. I am sure some other people will chime in and give some other advice. __________________ Tyler Slabaugh Current Tank Info: 58g oceanic reef, 29g toby tank, 10g FW community planted/snail breeder

01/08/2007, 04:15 PM	#3
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	The trick is to leave clear instructions that are easy to follow. A week isn't too bad, I would tell him to feed every other day to reduce the possibility of anything going wrong. The fish may be a little hungry when you get back, but problems that would be taken care of quickly by you will go undiscovered until you get back. As mentioned above make sure that everything is ready to go before you leave. The food should be measured out and the water ready. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

01/08/2007, 04:19 PM	#4
dodgersfan25 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Valencia (So Cal) Posts: 757	leave an list of things to do during an emergency (just in case). it doesnt hurt to leave one and if something does happen, you'll be glad that you did. when i leave, i give instructions just in case of power outage, pump failure, etc. and yeah, very clear instructions (simple enough for a kid) are the key. __________________ -rich Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Mixed Reef

01/08/2007, 04:21 PM	#5
dcombs44 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 2,913	You may invest in something like a battery powered air pump to leave handy just incase your power would be out for some reason. Depending on how much your skimmer collects, you may tune it down for the week to skim a bit dryer. Make things as self sustaining as you can before you go. __________________ Current Setup: 10 Gallon Skimmerless Zoanthid Tank Lighting: Single 175 Watt Metal Halide (14,000 K Hamilton Lamp) Filtration: 10 gallon sump/refugium and Phosban Reactor Return: Mag Drive 700 Controller: ReefKeeper Lite (Basic Version) Circulation: TBD Age of System: Build is in Progress

01/08/2007, 04:25 PM	#6
RELAD Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Haymarket VA Posts: 80	Also leave your tank in good reef hands... Make sure they know what they are doing and not just the neighbor.

01/08/2007, 05:10 PM	#7
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I prepare food portions in shot glasses and put them in the fridge. Turn skimmer down. Leave the RC e-mail addy along w/ my cell number. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

01/08/2007, 05:57 PM	#8
DaveJ Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 1,140	I travel on a weekly basis and have a pet sitter (had a cat too until i had to put him down over the summer). I started with a walk through of the basics and provided clear written instructions and check lists for each day of the week initially... give it to them like a recipe. Its also good to provide photos of all the valve and water levels etc.. I did this for the sump (fresh water filling) and then the skimmer. Happy to report that she has done a very good job and calls the moment she spots anything abnormal or looking out of sorts. She even has started to enjoy it and take pleasure from seeing things grow and function. Cell phone and an emergency number is important too. I have a local tank service that gave me his personal number to call in case of emergency or she cant reach me. Have only had to call him once.... but thats another thread