going on vacation need backup in case there are problems

[bigdaddyadam]

hey all,

I am going on vacation to San Fran for about a week from Thursday the 8th until next Wednesday. A friend of mine is checking in on the tank once or twice but he has no SW experience. I have instructed him to call me if there are any issues. I am just wondering if there are any veterans over on the East side who wouldn't mind a call if a disaster strikes that my friend can't handle. Someone who knows what to do if a pump goes out or the like. I live in University Heights.

If anyone would not mind a possible, though unlikely, call in an emergency, please PM me your phone number. I am more than willing to return the favor at a future date. Again, you will not likely have to do anything unless there is a disaster.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[CleveYank]

Advice.
Aside from the lifeline.
You should have the following onhand.
Extra heater.
Extra pump that could be used as a main pump if needed. (I have a spare already with return tube and tubing clamped which can be moved to any tank and dropped into a sump and just plugged in)
Extra powerstrips & extension cord in case the method you are feeding power to the tank cooks.
Salt and Enough RO/DI water to refill due to overflow issues that do not result in all out tank failure of course. And idiot proof method for measuring and mixing salt.
Label everything on the tank so that if someone can read they know what they are looking at. Label what's essential and what isn't. And leave note or list of any quirks that any component of the system has or that can be a suspected failure point. Leave a note telling where the main and exact breaker location/number in the breaker box of the fuse or breaker(s) that power the system. A pain but it pays for itself in volumes no matter who's looking after the tank or going behind to play repairman should something go amiss.
Have fun in San Fran.

 

[Burgman]

Hi All,

Wow, he could use up his vacation getting all that stuff(LOL).

Dave

 

[rob.holbrook]

Well I guess better safe than sorry, I agree with Cleve .... if the dude has no saltwater experiance then why wouldnt he want to make sure it is idiot proof.....

I guess if you want to go saying that is a waste then fine but I do not think making those types of redundant systems is a waste.

Just my two cents, why lead someone wrong that is asking for advice when that is acceptable advice.

I know personally I have a extra heater, extra pump and 50 gallons of RO water already made up, and then I have a 50 gallon container with salt that is already made up and being heated, I guess I always thought all of those above items that were listed are all important to have on hand at all times.

The only thing mentioned above that I do not have made up is documentation on what I do.

 

[CleveYank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12495936#post12495936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Burgman
Hi All,

Wow, he could use up his vacation getting all that stuff(LOL).

Dave

well yeah Dave, my trips have a 2 to 3 week system shake down prior to leaving which includes complete checks and making sure there is proper labeling and detailed instructions with a key. This allows for over the phone walk through if needed.

But when I go out of town I have everything so well laid out that almost anyone could do what needs done to get the tank back up and running. And if you care about your hundreds of dollars of reeftank the easier you make it the better. The easier it is for someone to get it going while you are hundreds or thousands of miles away, the more relaxing your vacation will be.

And if you ask someone to go in and save the day? You should do whatever you can to prevent them from having to run all over town tracking down items to get your system back up and running. They're doing you a big favor and making that favor as painless as possible should be part of it. My opinion.

Personally I'd rather fail safe than have an entire set of tanks dead be the punctuation mark on a great vacation. Trust me, knowing about that moment of coming back and finding everything dead is a real lesson.

Maybe it's overkill, but it's exact and it works. And makes it easy on those of whom you are asking to help you out.

 

[bigdaddyadam]

Thanks all...got several responses...hopefully no one will get a call, cross the fingers

 

[CleveYank]

While out that way I would recommend.
If you are driving rent a convertable for the 101 jaunt. It's worth it.
Take one of the wine tours that will visit the Vittorio Sattui winery.
One of the best overall wineries in both price and product out that way. Being as picky as I am, I did not find one wine in their list that was not above average to excellent. (there are several of their cabs in my basement and we give the "Gamay Rouge" as a Christmas present to a select group.)
Also there is an eatery called...simply enough. "A taste of India." Stumbled on it and was not in the mood for Indian food, but was hungry and for $70 for two and drinks it was an amazing meal. And the couple of eateries by the wharf that overlook the "seal hangout" are way overrated so with exception of the sunset view you might be disappointed.

 

[tru2nr]

cleve you make me want to go there now haha....i dunno its always something about winery's that attract me maybe its because i've only been to mon ami(spellings i know) out near the islands but i'm not a big fan of their wine it was just nice place to go