Help: What to do with my tank this summer

[montanabay]

Hi All,

So I need some advice about what to do with my tank this summer. I'm leaving for most of summer to do field work and will be back and forth a few times, but it looks like I will be gone for 3-4 week periods at a time from May-August. I have roommates that can handle feeding the fish and have been watching me grow the tank out. Its a Nano 24 with softies for coral, a true perc, orange spotted gobie, CBS, a bunch of snails, and crabs. I wondering what I should do with it this summer? I really don't want to break it down and sell it off the livestock, so much time, money, and fun invested, but I'm worried about tending the tank while I'm gone. I could probably have a friend do water changes every two weeks, but again, I won't be there if something goes wrong with the tank (one to identify it and two to fix it).

What are peoples thoughts, experiences with this? Should I try to keep it up and hope for the best? Sell it off? Should I just remove the fish since the softies are hardy and can withstand possible neglect?

Anyone want to fish sit a healthy true perc and orange spotted gobie, he'll really clean your sand up!

I'm starting to get pretty bummed about it, hope someone has some good advice!

Thanks,

Josh

 

[-=Zepplock=-]

I can house your corals and fish if you want.
In that 50g you know ;-)

I just set new T5 lights.
I can't promise anything but I expect my corals to get thru the summer ;-)

Of course this service does not come cheap. I'll take piece of each coral that grows while you away ;-)))))

 

[Solitaryensis]

Josh,
Im going through the same predicament as you. Ill be gone all summer on an internship but i plan on just leaving my dad with detailed instructions. Outside of topping off, dosing and feeding, i dont think he needs to do much more. Ill be back every 3-4 weeks to do water changes. Im concerned about the weather but i told my dad to just leave the lights off on really hot days like today. I hope it all works out. GOOD LUCK!

 

[DarkXerox]

I was studying abroad in Italy for 4 months and my parents were able to handle my 29G. Albeit my dad has his own 90G, but I tend to do the lions share of planning etc. for that tank.

Detailed instructions are the best bet and run through what needs to be done when you do them about 3 times. However since this is going to be during the summer, make sure they really understand the topping off process.

If you dont have A/C, dont worry about the lights being off for a day or so if it gets 100F outside like it did a few days last year.

 

[fishnfst]

You could always have someone come and service your tank while you are away.. There are plenty of good service guys in the sf bay area... Invest in some good dosing pumps and have a service guy come in once a week for your water changes....

 

[montanabay]

any recommendations for tank service people in Berkeley area?


thanks,

Josh

 

[fishnfst]

I think Steve at NAA has a few guys that do service.. You might want to inquire there....