Recommendations for making a tank maintenance free for a month

RioReefr · 12/13/2018, 02:03 PM

So, I have a work opportunity that needs to take me the other side of the world for approximately a month.
Frankly, I don't really have someone I can trust (or do it right) to do some regular maintenance nor do i want to pay someone while I am gone.
I have a controller wave-maker, AI prime, smart ato all on a schedule. Heater/Chiller connected to an Apex Jr. Generic battery-operated auto-feeder (I never use it except the occasional weekend trip). Temperature and Salinity would stay relatively constant.
I have never let my tank go unattended for more than 2-3 days.
My thought was to give my fish to a LFS (which they have plenty of space) and just leave the corals by themselves.
Can corals survive with ZERO fish, zero poop and zero food other than light?
I was going to have one person maybe just check in once a week and dose some 2-part and some amino acids.
Additionally, I have 10 trochus snails, 6 hermit crabs and 1 peppermint shrimp. Not sure what to do about them. Can they survive off just crap in the sandbed, algae, aipstasia,etc for 1-month?
I could just give them back to the LFS so they dont die in the tank and repurchase some more when i get back.
My entire goal is just to do ZERO maintenance while gone without the tank crashing on me.
Damn, I was going to submit this post and forgot about my Triachna Clam. Can it survive off just light? Would it make sense to maybe throw in a capful of phyoplankton once a week.

The person I have in mind basically knows nothing about aquariums, but he can stop over 1x week for 10 minutes to "throw in" some things in the tank if given specific instructions.

I have over a month to plan this out, just not sure what makes the best sense.

ryeguyy84 · 12/13/2018, 02:24 PM

I did a 3 week trip with no one even looking at the tank so it's doable but not ideal.

Things to think about,

1) does your ato container last long enough to keep the tank topped off for a month? I used a big rubbermade container for my tank when I left just make sure it's lower than when you top off so you don't create a syphon.

2) do you trust your auto feeder?

If you have someone that would come over once a week I would get a decent auto feeder and have it run once or twice a week. Then portion out food for your friend to add to the tank when they visit. If they can run a mag float across the glass that will feed enough to keep the clam happy (I think)

Use your auto feeder now so you can know it works.

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ryeguyy84 · 12/13/2018, 02:25 PM

I wouldn't mess with aminos while your gone. To much of a chance for algae

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mcgyvr · 12/13/2018, 03:37 PM

A fish feeder and suitably sized ato container is all you need...

Vinny Kreyling · 12/13/2018, 05:12 PM

Change the batteries before you leave.

lolgranny · 12/13/2018, 05:26 PM

I leave my tank for a month every year. 700g sps reef. I have a friend stop by a few times a week.

Definitely need a ato and someone to feed. Do a good water change / test before and when I get home.

That’s my routine anyways. I have a 60 g ato. He has to refill it and over the years he’s enjoyed it more so now he doesn’t mind testing it either. Imo it’s hard not having someone you trust

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dabob79 · 12/13/2018, 05:50 PM

I don’t see a need to move your fish, that would be way more stressful. Get an auto feeder to feed a small amount of food twice a day. When your guy comes once a week to add your 2-part mixture, have some pre-measured frozen/cold food ready to go that he can dump in. You can also set your Apex to shut things down like your power heads and skimmer when the auto feeder runs. Get an extra-large container for your ATO water and you should be good.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Subpilot · 12/15/2018, 07:35 AM

I am gone for a month at a time often. Biggest help is a roller mat filter. I also have a webcam and RoboTank controller monitoring and controlling things(feeder,ATO,dosing). Have friend come by once week to clean skimmer etc and have tank maintence guy as back up in emergency. Have had some issues and it is stressful but so far so good.

12/13/2018, 02:03 PM	#1
RioReefr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 394	Recommendations for making a tank maintenance free for a month So, I have a work opportunity that needs to take me the other side of the world for approximately a month. Frankly, I don't really have someone I can trust (or do it right) to do some regular maintenance nor do i want to pay someone while I am gone. I have a controller wave-maker, AI prime, smart ato all on a schedule. Heater/Chiller connected to an Apex Jr. Generic battery-operated auto-feeder (I never use it except the occasional weekend trip). Temperature and Salinity would stay relatively constant. I have never let my tank go unattended for more than 2-3 days. My thought was to give my fish to a LFS (which they have plenty of space) and just leave the corals by themselves. Can corals survive with ZERO fish, zero poop and zero food other than light? I was going to have one person maybe just check in once a week and dose some 2-part and some amino acids. Additionally, I have 10 trochus snails, 6 hermit crabs and 1 peppermint shrimp. Not sure what to do about them. Can they survive off just crap in the sandbed, algae, aipstasia,etc for 1-month? I could just give them back to the LFS so they dont die in the tank and repurchase some more when i get back. My entire goal is just to do ZERO maintenance while gone without the tank crashing on me. Damn, I was going to submit this post and forgot about my Triachna Clam. Can it survive off just light? Would it make sense to maybe throw in a capful of phyoplankton once a week. The person I have in mind basically knows nothing about aquariums, but he can stop over 1x week for 10 minutes to "throw in" some things in the tank if given specific instructions. I have over a month to plan this out, just not sure what makes the best sense.

12/13/2018, 02:24 PM	#2
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	I did a 3 week trip with no one even looking at the tank so it's doable but not ideal. Things to think about, 1) does your ato container last long enough to keep the tank topped off for a month? I used a big rubbermade container for my tank when I left just make sure it's lower than when you top off so you don't create a syphon. 2) do you trust your auto feeder? If you have someone that would come over once a week I would get a decent auto feeder and have it run once or twice a week. Then portion out food for your friend to add to the tank when they visit. If they can run a mag float across the glass that will feed enough to keep the clam happy (I think) Use your auto feeder now so you can know it works. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

12/13/2018, 02:25 PM	#3
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	I wouldn't mess with aminos while your gone. To much of a chance for algae Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

12/13/2018, 03:37 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	A fish feeder and suitably sized ato container is all you need... __________________ Who me?

12/13/2018, 05:12 PM	#5
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Change the batteries before you leave. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/13/2018, 05:26 PM	#6
lolgranny The DQ King Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chicago (McHenry) Posts: 2,414	I leave my tank for a month every year. 700g sps reef. I have a friend stop by a few times a week. Definitely need a ato and someone to feed. Do a good water change / test before and when I get home. That’s my routine anyways. I have a 60 g ato. He has to refill it and over the years he’s enjoyed it more so now he doesn’t mind testing it either. Imo it’s hard not having someone you trust Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ -Dave Current Tank Info: 40g RIP. 300g system, 180g display.

12/13/2018, 05:50 PM	#7
dabob79 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Mascoutah, IL Posts: 464	I don’t see a need to move your fish, that would be way more stressful. Get an auto feeder to feed a small amount of food twice a day. When your guy comes once a week to add your 2-part mixture, have some pre-measured frozen/cold food ready to go that he can dump in. You can also set your Apex to shut things down like your power heads and skimmer when the auto feeder runs. Get an extra-large container for your ATO water and you should be good. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Tank is finally wet! USAF Veteran, 12 years Go Cardinals!! Current Tank Info: Marineland 93 gallon rimless cube, Radion LED/T5 Combo, Eshopps sump, Nyos skimmer, Apex controller

12/15/2018, 07:35 AM	#8
Subpilot Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Pedro Posts: 155	I am gone for a month at a time often. Biggest help is a roller mat filter. I also have a webcam and RoboTank controller monitoring and controlling things(feeder,ATO,dosing). Have friend come by once week to clean skimmer etc and have tank maintence guy as back up in emergency. Have had some issues and it is stressful but so far so good.