What do you do for vacations?

What do you do when you go on vacation? I have used neighbors to feed my fish and my wife's cat, and I have had very little luck. I have actually lost more fish while on vacation than other time. I try to give specific instructions, but for whatever reason, it doesn't seem to work well for me. Is there something you have done that has been successful?

Equipment: 150 gal. rectang. 48" X 24" x 36" high; reservoir filtration; Eurofil 125; 2 - Magdrive 950 water pumps; 200W heater; protein skimmer; ultraviolet sterilizer; 3 sets of power compact 96W light
Livestock: Porcupine puffer, lunare wrasse, blue tang, yellow tang, tomato clown, kuhli loach, hermit crab

 

I feel your pain I went to disney and got home to a algea disaster and even my dog ran away on him! I actually had someone stay at the house! Called to check on it and all and oh its going great!!! Yeah it went real great. Fortunally the tank managed and I dident lose anything.

 

put more money in your reef tank so you'll be to poor to go on vac.

 

I always get my neighbor and he does a fantastic job. I of course, reduce the tasks that he has to do, but all works out. You could always automate your tank by installing a ATO system, automatic feeding unit and a automatic doser(s). Of course, after buying all this equipment, you cant go on vacation anymore.......lol Luna

 

if its just for a week i usually set up an ato and the just go...... a well maintained reef should be able to handle this long without food and be perfectly fine

 

but if youre really nervous attach a piece of lettuce on a rock with a rubber band

 

I didn't know that I get get by with an ATO with the fish I have. The thought that the tangs would need algae and the puffer and wrasse wouldn't eat enough dry flakes to get by. They primarily eat frozen krill now.

Equipment: 150 gal. rectang. 48" X 24" x 36" high; reservoir filtration; Eurofil 125; 2 - Magdrive 950 water pumps; 200W heater; protein skimmer; ultraviolet sterilizer; 3 sets of power compact 96W light
Livestock: Porcupine puffer, lunare wrasse, blue tang, yellow tang, tomato clown, kuhli loach, hermit crab

 

Depending on the type of fish you have, you may get away with it. I wouldnt recommend it thou. Worse case scenerio, feed every other day the solid foods and place a piece seaweed sheet inbetween. Luna

 

Thanks for all of your support of my pain, but has anybody had any success with some other method when going on vacation? I am leaving on a one week cruise during Thanksgiving and afraid I will come back to an empty tank.

Equipment: 150 gal. rectang. 48" X 24" x 36" high; reservoir filtration; Eurofil 125; 2 - Magdrive 950 water pumps; 200W heater; protein skimmer; ultraviolet sterilizer; 3 sets of power compact 96W light
Livestock: Porcupine puffer, lunare wrasse, blue tang, yellow tang, tomato clown, kuhli loach, hermit crab

 

When I go on vacation (1 week) next time the only thing the neighbor is going to do is feed one time (A premeasured amt about half way through the week) and do water top offs with water I have sitting next to the tank. That's it. Nothing more. Everything else will be automated. I will include detailed instructions on what things are and what the general idea is behind keeping an aquarium next to the tank. It will be a few pages long. Be sure to write things down for people. They forget. Then just make sure your Ca, Mg and dKH is up to speed before you leave.