Holiday plans

[ichthyogeek]

So I'm coming home from college for Thanksgiving break. I have three fish tanks that need taking care of. What's the best strategy for me to use?
Tank 1: My misfits tank, filled with red platies and white cloud mtn minnows. 30 gallons, filled with my "waste" RO/DI water. Fed via autofeeder
Tank 2: My shrimp tank, filled with 10 red cherry shrimp, and moderately planted. 29 gallons, filled with RO/DI water. Fed via leaves/microfilm/algae
Tank 3: My reef tank, filled with live rock, two yellowbelly damselfish, and coral. 55 gallons, filled with RO/DI water mixed with salt. fed via autofeeder

I plan on changing at least 10 gallons in the 29 gallon tank/day, and devoting the rest of my water change water to the 55 gallon tank. Additionally, I plan on adding up to 16 cherry shrimp to the 29 gallon tank. Maybe quarantine some fish for the 55 gallon (barbershop pole gobies). I also need to gather fallen leaves for my tubbing projects this summer.

I currently have a 50 gpd RO/DI filter, but that's 50 gallons/24 hours, which really means about 25 gallons per day (due to me sleeping and stuff). So what's the best plan of action for water changes throughout the week to minimiize stress on my tank inhabitants while improving water quality? Additionally, I do need to spend time with my family and stuff...

 

[ichthyogeek]

Bump

 

[Reef Frog]

So your talking being absent for what, about 5 days over Thanksgiving or a few weeks over Christmas? And I assume there's no one to look after things? The damsel will be fine without food for 5 days if it's healthy & otherwise well fed. Ditto with any corals.

The issue will be temperature perhaps if you're in a dorm where they turn down the heat during holidays. So you need a good, reliable heater with enough capacity to handle whatever temperature the school may set. You need to address evaporation. If you have an ATO you're all set. If not, you can partially cover the tank with cling wrap to slow evaporation but enough of an opening to provide fresh air. You may wish to lower salinity gradually before you leave so any evaporation won't lead to a hyper-salinity situation.

Not sure about the FW tanks or if the fish can go a few days without food. If not, an auto feeder will be in order. Remeber to use it a few days prior to leaving for holiday.

When I was a in college, there were always a few lonely international students hanging around over the holidays. Maybe try recruiting one you trust for a few bucks & hand over the room key? Limit the food they can get their hands on so they aren't tempted to over feed & kill everything.

Good luck!

 

[ichthyogeek]

Umm...other way around. Fish tanks are back home, where I'm headed. They've not been attended to since September, aside from feedings (automatic), and top offs.

 

[sde1500]

That wasn't clear from the initial post. First I'd actually test the water. See how bad it really is before planning massive daily water changes. Then once you know what you are dealing with, tackle the issues.