@.Marshall - that's one of the reasons I kept extending in Athens during the 80's. Had an aquarium built, snorkeled for all of the stock off the coast. Finally PCS'd back to the 'States in late '87, turning it all back loose in the Med before I left.
I did find time to go snorkeling and visit some local fish shops in the southern Arabian Gulf and central Saudi Arabia during some '90-'93 adventures, and again later in the mid 90's up through Dhahran and also Bahrain. Didn't quite get a reef set up on location, though. 225 reef did crap out in the early 90's, though, during an extended deployment.
As for pointers and such to help things be a bit more conducive to hanging with this hobby, these are the things that have helped me out through the years of deployments with housesitters minding the reef (and the dog, etc.):
1. Checklist. Come on, we've all built, rebuilt, reviewed, and refined Continuity books filled with checklists. We should be good at it, right? So build a good step by step checklist for everything reef, paying attention to detail. Pictures help a lot. My current work requires me to travel on occasion, and my current housesitters really appreciate the effort that goes into the checklists/continuity book. Include phone numbers for local experts for additional help for those moments when the phone doesn't work in the tent or the back of the plane. Oh yeah.
2. System design. KISS as is humanly possible. Yes, I know, these can be complex systems to someone that isn't familiar to them and simple for those of us that have been playing too long with the toys. That said, try to design the reef system with ease of access, ease of maintenance, and of course, keeping the critters as happy as possible in mind. This could mean putting frequently accessed service gear (skimmer collection cup, sponge filter, etc.) within easy reach and access, making it easier to do more often. Automate some things such as water changes and use an auto top off system - and maintain them.
If the sump and skimmer need to be turned off for feeding, put the switch in an easily accessible spot. That type of thing. If you think it's simple, ask someone that has no clue about your system to perform the tasks. That should help out quite a bit with checklist development and equipment accessibility.
3. Maintain/purchase a stock of food, and if at all possible prepare portions for the duration of the deployment. I used the little Solo cups and lids available at party supply stores to prep enough frozen food for a six month trip to AZ a few years ago, with my nephew (and his crew...sigh) housesitting for me. Left a freezer full of containers. He did use his car as a generator using the inverter I left "just in case of an extended power outage" to run circulation and skimmer a few hours every 5-6 hours for a couple of days after a bad storm. For this type of situation I'd also recommend having a fully stocked liquor cabinet and a couple cases of beers set aside for emergency use. He cleared mine out. Oh, which reminds me, if you can pick up a stand by generator and enough power cord to reach your gear, please do. Double check to make sure they put out power clean enough for a computer and you'll be in great shape. I finally did that a couple snow storms ago, and I am definitely thankful for the piece of mind it has brought.
Anecdote: Just prior to a business trip to Montreal, I did some system maintenance. Bad move. The kalk reactor stuck in the "on" position and I discovered it the next morning as I'm stepping to the airport (180 the color of a jug of milk). Called my significant other on the way (she and her daughter were going to house sit for me while I was away) to let her know what happened. I won't go through all of the losses from that episode, but let's include a 10" plus-long Squammie, a couple of 8" Maxima, and an array of shrimp, coral, crabs, and fish. Miraculously, some things made it through, including a Red Sea Purple Tang and some large polyp stonies. All the living things I attribute to a gutsy, never kept a fish tank woman and daughter that kept cleaning the skimmer and pulling out deceased animals - following the checklist with pictures I had left. One of the many reasons we stick together, I guess.
Hope this helps a bit in any continuing their adventures, and for those of us that are leading a bit more "retired" life at this point, perhaps it's not a bad idea just in case of an unexpected trip or two, too.
