I have an older 55 gallon reef with all of the automation, I can think of. I also have a Solana Nano tank, that is relatively new.
I had to go away for a few weeks and when I returned, I had 2 different receptions.
Both tanks, were taken care of by a non-reefer, but who was given detailed instructions, etc....
Both tanks, had dirty glass that really had to be wiped down. No water changes were done in 3 weeks.
On returning home, on the 55 I did a large water change, scraped the tank and cleaned it well. All in all, tank, was in great shape. Some stuff had to be pruned. Interestingly, my LPS seemed really happy with out the water change. My Fungia plate coral was really happy, my scolys also looked happy. My candy cane, seemed to blossom and blow up with more heads, so it looked like a growth spurt, being away from my loved ones.
All in all, tank looked very nice after a a cleanup...
My little Solana, was a different story. Did a large water change and my corals were not happy. From what I can surmise, is that even though I gave specific instructions on the skimmer, I can see when I returned, that the cup was out of place ( but looked like it was working). Seems, that the tank, was not skimming as it should have been.
Also, I daily use a turkey baster, to clean rocks on Solana. I can tell, that without this, a lot of muck was everywhere. There was some bleaching.
Now, after the water change, tank, looks "okay". I guess it's not too bad, but I am definitely, not "happy" with it. I gave tank complete maintenance and I am hoping it will be okay.
So here is my thoughts. I would have loved to have given instructions on water changes ( I do them weekly, but did not have any done for 3 weeks). I felt there was too much room for error ( flood ), with that.
I have been thinking for a while, to get a Vortech MP10 for extra flow. I had put in a small Koralia, but I want more flow...
So I think, that the turkey baster done daily, on the smaller tank, won't be as needed when I go with the Vortech. I had a Vortech MP40w in the tank, and it was just too much power even on the lowest setting.
So I do think, that the smaller tank, missed it's daily turkey baster wash and also, having the skimmer operate efficiently.
As far as the care taking. As you know, their can be a lot of details in taking care of tank. I feel that for anyone not in the hobby, to take care of my tanks, requires work.
So at this point, I can see, going away for a week, really does not do any harm what so ever, but a 3 week period, will require some upgrades.
One thing about a reef. We all want the status quo, but it is difficult to maintain sometimes...
PS. I have a AquaC Remora Pro on my 55. It is set and forget. I have the drain, and touch it once a week with a tooth brush, to clean the cup. Never, needs adjustment.
Now, the Solana has a great skimmer Tunze 9002 with StevieT cup. This is a great skimmer, but it is not "set and forget". Every time, I feed tank, I shut off pumps, and cup will float a bit in water. So what must have happened is it did not sit right after a pump shut off. Also, I was concerned, about settings, and I worried, about adjustment on my trip. I am thinking about going with another AquaC Remora on my Solana. I know what this does on my main tank. I am thinking that gaining my "set and forget" on my Solana, may be worth it...
I had to go away for a few weeks and when I returned, I had 2 different receptions.
Both tanks, were taken care of by a non-reefer, but who was given detailed instructions, etc....
Both tanks, had dirty glass that really had to be wiped down. No water changes were done in 3 weeks.
On returning home, on the 55 I did a large water change, scraped the tank and cleaned it well. All in all, tank, was in great shape. Some stuff had to be pruned. Interestingly, my LPS seemed really happy with out the water change. My Fungia plate coral was really happy, my scolys also looked happy. My candy cane, seemed to blossom and blow up with more heads, so it looked like a growth spurt, being away from my loved ones.
All in all, tank looked very nice after a a cleanup...
My little Solana, was a different story. Did a large water change and my corals were not happy. From what I can surmise, is that even though I gave specific instructions on the skimmer, I can see when I returned, that the cup was out of place ( but looked like it was working). Seems, that the tank, was not skimming as it should have been.
Also, I daily use a turkey baster, to clean rocks on Solana. I can tell, that without this, a lot of muck was everywhere. There was some bleaching.
Now, after the water change, tank, looks "okay". I guess it's not too bad, but I am definitely, not "happy" with it. I gave tank complete maintenance and I am hoping it will be okay.
So here is my thoughts. I would have loved to have given instructions on water changes ( I do them weekly, but did not have any done for 3 weeks). I felt there was too much room for error ( flood ), with that.
I have been thinking for a while, to get a Vortech MP10 for extra flow. I had put in a small Koralia, but I want more flow...
So I think, that the turkey baster done daily, on the smaller tank, won't be as needed when I go with the Vortech. I had a Vortech MP40w in the tank, and it was just too much power even on the lowest setting.
So I do think, that the smaller tank, missed it's daily turkey baster wash and also, having the skimmer operate efficiently.
As far as the care taking. As you know, their can be a lot of details in taking care of tank. I feel that for anyone not in the hobby, to take care of my tanks, requires work.
So at this point, I can see, going away for a week, really does not do any harm what so ever, but a 3 week period, will require some upgrades.
One thing about a reef. We all want the status quo, but it is difficult to maintain sometimes...
PS. I have a AquaC Remora Pro on my 55. It is set and forget. I have the drain, and touch it once a week with a tooth brush, to clean the cup. Never, needs adjustment.
Now, the Solana has a great skimmer Tunze 9002 with StevieT cup. This is a great skimmer, but it is not "set and forget". Every time, I feed tank, I shut off pumps, and cup will float a bit in water. So what must have happened is it did not sit right after a pump shut off. Also, I was concerned, about settings, and I worried, about adjustment on my trip. I am thinking about going with another AquaC Remora on my Solana. I know what this does on my main tank. I am thinking that gaining my "set and forget" on my Solana, may be worth it...
