var zIoa1 = new Array('Suggested Reading','Free E-Mail Class - "Saltwater Aquariums 101 - Getting Started','http://saltaquarium.about.com/c/ec/1.htm','Foods, Feeding & Nutrition','http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/foodcare/index.htm','Fish & Invertebrate Care','http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/fishinvertcare/index.htm');
var zIoa2 = new Array('Suggested Reading','Reef System Lighting: What to Buy & Why','http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/weekly/aa041100.htm','DIY Stand & Cabinet Projects','http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/standcabprojectdiy/','DIY Custom Glass Aquarium','http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/weekly/aa052903DIYcusttank.htm');
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Dragon Moray Eel
Image by Keoki & Yuko Stender
Dragon Moray Eel
Image by Keoki & Yuko Stender
Vacation Saltwater Aquarium Care
Maintenance Services & System Automation
Aquarium Maintenance Services
Sometimes finding a friend to help
out is not possible, so why not consult with local aquarium maintenance
service companies in your area that specialize in this field, or check
with fish stores to see if they offer aquarium "vacation care" or "baby
sitting" services. Paying for these types of services
may cost you, but what will it cost you if something goes wrong and no
one is there to tend to it? For many people that have hundreds, or even
thousands of dollars invested in their prized aquarium(s), this can be
heartbreaking, to say the least.
System Automation
Setting up your system with automated
equipment is a great help. With the advancement of equipment like automatic
dosing pumps (read
reviews & compare prices) or water
top-off units, float switches and other components that do the job
for you, this can make going away much less worrysome. If you really want
state-of-the-art automation there are many companies like Automated
Aquarium Systems that have pH, flow rate, lighting, heating and other
automated controllers for a complete automated system set up. The Neptune
AquaController is a popular unit. Whenever using this type of equipment,
it is still important to have someone pop in daily and check on your tank.
If you find this equipment costly, why not build your own. You'll find
many do-it-yourself projects at your fingertips with the click of your
mouse on our Do-It-Yourself
Project Resources Index.
Feeding
Tank Inhabitants
-
As we stated earlier, if a friend it
taking care of your aquarium, have him/her spend time with you feeding
the tank inhabitants so they can get to know their characteristics and
feeding habits.
-
For feeding your fish or other marine
animals, many manufacturers make feeding blocks like the AquaSelect
Blue Ribbon Holiday & Weekend Food Blocks. These are food blocks
that you can put in your tank that dissolve slowly over a period of time
that the fish can feed on at their leisure, without polluting the tank.
-
Automatic feeders (read
reviews & compare prices) are extremely efficient and helpful.
Keep in mind that you have inhabitants in your tank that are top, middle,
and bottom tank feeders. Use foods that will insure that all tank mates
get their share of food. As examples, Wardley Foods has their Spirulina
Sticks, an all vegetable floating food mini-stick specifically
designed to meet the needs of all surface and mid-water aquarium fish.
Wardley's Spirulina Discs are formulated with spirulina as its main
ingredient, and are for bottom feeders and algae eaters. Check around or
consult with your local fish stores to see what types of foods are available
to meet your marine animal nutritional needs that might be used safely
in an automatic fish feeder. These are types of foods that won't clog or
block the dispensing of the food.
We hope these tips and ideas
will help you to enjoy your time away from home with less worry about your
aquarium and your salty friends. Do you have vacation aquarium care tips?
Share them on our Saltwater Aquariums Forum.
Previous Page > Plan Ahead!
[an error occurred while processing this directive]