Will be away from home for 12 weeks... Tank Care?

**Devon Greatwolf** · 05-05-2010, 12:21 AM

So It looks like I will be going to Little Rock for a twelve week trial starting the 30th of this month. As for tank care, I will either train a friend or family member on the feeding of the tanks and give them a list of things to look out for. I have a couple of friends who either have worked or do work for chain pet stores that will gladly come by to do water tests. As for maintenance, I plan to do at least a 50% water change on all tanks before I leave. I then plan to ad some AmmoSorb™ or similar to my filtration, I was also thinking of adding some Tetra Easy Balance®. I will fertilize all plants at the root with tablet style supplements and also ad some liquid plant nutrients. If all goes as planned in the 12 weeks I should be able to come home twice; once each after the first and second four week period. After the 12 weeks is up I will either truly start planning the move of everything or once again be on the career hunt. ;-)

If any one is interested and this is not against the rules, please check here for more pics of my tanks:

http://www.Facebook.com/DevonGreatwolf

For those of you who do not have facebook, just suggest your favorite image hosting site, and I will do my best to load the pics there.

Once again thank you all for the plethora of knowledge.

PEACE
__________________
Vet: Why is your snake's name "Big Nasty"?

Owner: Have you ever seen a 26', 250 lb python relieve its self.

**rothenb1** · 05-05-2010, 01:31 AM

If you are able to train one of your friends to do water changes that would be a lot better than adding those products. 12 weeks between water changes can be dangerous. How big are the tanks? If you have a python it should be simple, just remind your friends to add the dechlor and make sure the temp isn't too hot when you add the water.

**Meenu** · 05-05-2010, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by rothenb1

If you are able to train one of your friends to do water changes that would be a lot better than adding those products. 12 weeks between water changes can be dangerous. How big are the tanks? If you have a python it should be simple, just remind your friends to add the dechlor and make sure the temp isn't too hot when you add the water.

I absolutely agree. If your friends can't do it, hire a LFS employee to come once a week, and have your friend chaperone.

Fish and plants need fresh water for the minerals, as well as to keep toxin levels and pH under control.

**Northernguy** · 05-05-2010, 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by Meenu

I absolutely agree. If your friends can't do it, hire a LFS employee to come once a week, and have your friend chaperone.

Great idea. A family member is usually best.

**EmmanuelJB** · 05-05-2010, 01:45 AM

You will not be able to go 12 weeks without a water change unless its somthing like 1 betta in a 55 gallon or larger... If you go 12 weeks I can't imagine you will come back to many fish unless your tanks are EXTREMLY lightly stocked, AND well filtered... Even then who knows if the fish would be alive without freshwater.

EDIT: I wouldn't allow someone I don't know in my house... If you have somone do water changes, have a family member or close friend.

**wolf_eyes** · 05-05-2010, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by Meenu

I absolutely agree. If your friends can't do it, hire a LFS employee to come once a week, and have your friend chaperone.

This is a good idea, but I think you could go every 2 weeks since I know this route can get expensive, especially since you have quite a few tanks. I would call around and do some price checking if you want to go this route.

Training someone would be best but this can be hard. If you do want to do this, I would suggest having them come over a couple of times before you leave. The first time, you do half of the tanks and explain to them the process of water changes while showing them, this is usually the best way people learn. Then you can have them do the other half of the tanks to make sure they do it right.

**sailor** · 05-05-2010, 02:00 AM

If the original post was read properly you would have noticed that he plans to come home 2 times at 4 week intervals to do maintanence ie water changes on his tanks. Not ideal but totally do-able. As long as everything is in fine shape before he leaves and the feeding of the fish has been cut back there is no reason why this would not work. From the sounds of things there are capable hands to look after things inbetween visits home.

**wolf_eyes** · 05-05-2010, 02:13 AM

Sailor, thats a good catch, I did read that as well. It is doable to do once a month changes, naturally just do a larger water change. There are member here who prefer to do once a month as well. However, I would also suggest having a backup plan just in case things come up and you can't make it back. We all know how life likes to mess up our plans, and especially since this is a "trail run" with the job, they may ask you to work extra time or a few other things.

**HeatherB** · 05-05-2010, 02:15 AM

It sounds like it would work. I would nix adding the root tabs, or the easy balance. Your plants may be kinda yucky when you get back, but nothing you wouldn't be able to fix.

**Meenu** · 05-05-2010, 02:16 AM

I don't know, guys... pH would drop quite a bit in a month. And then you come in and do a really large and sudden water change. That does not sound like a good idea to me.