Crazy Method To Keep A Filter Cycled While Away From Home

[StandbySetting]

You can make yourself a DIY drip acclimatisation kit, you just need some air line and a gang valve.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You can make yourself a DIY drip acclimatisation kit, you just need some air line and a gang valve.

TO be honest, the one I am buying will cost less than $3, and with all the other stuff I am buying, the shipping is free. For me, the cost is worth it, just so that I don't have to fuss with the knots in the airline tubing... I think this will be far easier to adjust the drip rate than with a knot. And with my plan of slowly adding new fish to my tank, I will be using this fairly often... So, I just want to have an easy to use tool. It will get plenty of use, so I'm not worried about "splurging" for it. I understand that it isn't necessary, but I don't see why I shouldn't buy it.



What are your thoughts on the harlequin rasboras? Would a small shoal of them (at least 6, up to about 10) work without a water change for almost a full three weeks (19 days) in a 56 gallon tank with extra filtration? They would be in the tank for about 4 weeks before I would have to leave them for the first time. That should be enough time to ensure that the filter is working properly for them and the tank isn't having any other problems and that the automatic feeder is working properly. The tank will be moderately planted as well.

 

[OldMan47]

Get a couple of simple shrimps at your grocery store and place them in a piece of netting in the tank. As the shrimps decay they will continuously produce ammonia.

Note:
It will stink when you return home but the bacteria will still be thriving.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Note: [/b][/u]
It will stink when you return home but the bacteria will still be thriving.

That's what I thought. Wife will veto that idea... And I can't say that I blame her. She hates seafood anyway. Having a rotting shrimp in the tank is a bit much to expect her to be ok with... especially in the dining room.

 

[waterdrop]

Don't underestimate the value of an human being coming in even just once or twice to check up on how any system you choose is really going. They might even be able to discuss it with you over the phone. A person who is perhaps interested or takes direction well is even better.

If you go with some version of your drip setup, which I think is a rather clever idea (though the possibilities of problems are rather numerous) then the person could check for a needed addition to the drip supply tank or could verify that the tank has not overfilled due to the drip additions. You could also have a couple of prawns in a plastic bag in the fridge the person could put in and stop the drip system.

By the way, you may be exaggerating the rotting prawn problem. A table fan and some open windows before the wife comes in and then a couple of water changes would probably quickly get things back to normal and we have indeed had any number of members who have kept their bacteria alive over vacations in this way.

Also, don't underestimate the ability of the bacteria to survive on just a few ammonia dosings by a periodic person visit, rather than the person coming daily. Not sure what the members would think was the maximum number of days you could go between visits though, perhaps 3 or so? Unexpected things like power outages are yet another small risk that makes a periodic visit a good thing. Although the fish ideas can work of course, that goes a bit contrary to the point of our cycling efforts possibly.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[eaglesaquarium]

My dad will be visiting my house throughout the time that I am away, but primarily to make sure things are fine and to take care of my garden (mostly just harvesting whatever comes on while I am away, and watering as necessary). I could ask him to look after the tank and dose it with ammonia for me when he comes, but I don't want to add another thing to his plate. I'm sure he would do it, were I to ask, but I hate asking him to care for my garden while I am away, let alone adding more to the list. Maybe that's what parents are there for. Maybe if I tell him that the tank is my son's, that would get it extra special care while I am away! He's a nut for his grandkids.


I guess it's worth a conversation with my dad to gauge his interest. Originally I had planned on my brother taking the 10 gallon to his house and keeping the filters seeded that way, but his work schedule is getting worse, not better. (Corrections officer, who works bizarre hours.)

I guess I have a bunch to think about between now and then... fortunately I still have a few weeks left to sort it all out.

 

[waterdrop]

Don't underestimate how nice it is to be "needed!" lol

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Yeah, the day my dad doesn't have anything to do is going to be the day he dies. He's very active, and always has been. His father was extremely active until literally his dying day at the age of 83.

My dad did used to keep fish, but gave it up when his work schedule got too crazy and his kids activities schedules got too hectic for him to manage both dad and fishkeeper! I wonder if he would enjoy that sort of thing again for a little while, or if it would be a burden. No way to know but to ask. (Except with my dad, there is no such thing as a burden. He just doesn't complain about things like that.)


A conversation is definitely worth while here. Thanks waterdrop for helping me reevaluate the situation.