Do you use a support Buddy...

[Ed Hahn]

Last year I went on vacation for two weeks. I had my sister in law top off my tank with Ro water and wrote a formula for additives that has worked for me. I also asked three friends for support in case Sister in Law had any problems. I got permission from friends first of course. I wrote down the times that were convient for person at which time of day. I knew what shift person worked from talking to them. I highly recommend building a support system for your tank. Now is the time to do this if you have not. You never know if you will be trapped at a air port or etc. Please plan a head. If you do not do this, How will your tank maintain itself peacefully with out any issues?

 

[Ed Hahn]

Things to note on a list for your Support Buddy may include....temperature, PH, you usually like to stay at, how to operate equipment-such as calcium reactor, auto top off, kalk reactor, Ph controller, chiller, Protien skimmer, your pumps, ozone, and list the ways you would like your tank treated if a issue breaks out, and of course Where your supplies are for make up water. Your wife, roomate, relative, or friend may not know how to handle a issue. A support Buddy could save you from taking time off work, future damage to your home, also the life of your animals of course.

 

[WaterDogs]

I need a support buddy for 9 days while my wife and I are out of town. The kids will feed, add water and a couple additives but if something went wrong they would not have a clue on how to fix it. Our trip is in Feb. so if anyone is in or near Marysville, WA PM me if you are interested I will pay you too if that makes a difference!!

Thanks,
Dwaine

 

[dwall174]

Two things I have & like to rely on are a Back-up Power Supply & a Phone Dialer
I have a dialer like that setup on my house alarm system, Besides a break in it will call me if the power goes out! I just loved the look on my bosses face the first time I told him my “Tank Called” & told me the power was out! :lol:

I have a list of where I keep my water parameters & a sheet that explains my system & top-off set-up just incase! On the sheet for my tank is also a phone # for an aquarium maintenance company that would come out in case of an emergency! My tank will run pretty good for a while with out adding any additives so I normally don’t worry too much about additives until I get back.
My brother knows a lot about my system & how everything runs, & I have it set-up to run for about a week to ten days before I need to refill the top-off tank so I usually just have him feed the tank.

 

[jimeluiz]

We have a trained neighbor with keys to our apartment. He loves his role as tank sitter and steward. I made a spreadsheet with daily/weekly tasks and set out everything before we went to Turkey for a month. Arranged backup with an online buddy, the LFS and emergency post area (which was needed within a few days when one of our RBTA took a ride over the overflow and into the sump!).

Remember to label your wiring and explain circuit breaker setups.

We also paid the LFS to come by to do a water change. (A bit too much for our friend to take one.)

Returned to a beautiful, stable tank.

 

[LakeEd]

I'm fairly lucky. There are 3 of us here where I work, all with the "Reefer-Addiction"... and we help support one another when needed for vacations or emergencies. I also have a good friend close, who I'm sure would help me out if I was to ask.

Just knowing that someone who at least understands their tank, coming over while you're gone gives a great since of relief!

 

[flugelnuss]

I have a really cool buddy that took care of our tanks while we were on our honeymoon last October. He did a great job making sure the water was topped off, and my zoos actually doubled while he was taking care of the tank!

The funny thing about it all, was that he took pictures of everything so that if something changed he knew had a reference point to look at!

Thanks Todd. You're a real life saver.

 

[The Apprentice]

Taking pictures Before you leave

A very good idea and suggestion Thanks for posting this Flugelnuss

The funny thing about it all, was that he took pictures of everything so that if something changed he knew had a reference point to look at!

Thanks Todd. You're a real life saver.