Vacation?

[Candi]

What do you do with your tanks when you go on vacation? When we lived at "home" (MI) I had plenty of family and friends that I trusted to care for my tanks (my mom, bless her... would even catch the snails for my puffer and feed him).

My husband wants to go back to MI to visit for about a week... and I'm freaking out.

We really don't know anyone here yet, I have one mommy friend who I trust to have in my home while we're gone but she has never owned a tank and while I think she could handle tossing some flake/pellet I don't think I could ask her to deal with frozen and/or snails (and my puffer being so tiny really needs to eat everyday and really only likes tiny snails or mysis).

Whats the longest you've left your tanks w/o someone feeding them? My 50g is acrylic & my nano is a closed top aquapod so I don't think an autofeeder would work with either.

Pending me finding something dry (maybe freeze dried krill or something) that my puffer will eat do you think having someone in every other day would be ok?

Hey Mike, could I beg you to come in once or twice while we're gone?

Candi

 

[jazzsam]

I used my neighbor and I have everything prepared before I leave including the defrosted mysis in little Tupperware, prepared algae already on the clips in ziplocks and they do fine with simple directions.

I have heard people volunteer to help from the club so maybe someone will step up and help? I travel too much myself or I would help out.

 

[debfife]

I think you'd need to worry more about topping off evaportation than feeding, unless you have an auto topoff system.

 

[Phyl]

We usually have someone come in 2-3 times during the week we're away to feed the eel (prawns) and we have them feed the tanks and hang nori while they're here. We do have an auto topoff that keeps the water level while we're away. We keep a local reefer's number handy for the care taker to make sure that they have a backup in case things look weird when they come.

You can hire a pet sitter to come to your home and care for your pets in a pinch. They'll feed fish, etc.

 

[Candi]

The 50g is the only one I ever really need to top off, and even that one isn't to bad... I think if I lowered my light schedule while we were gone I wouldn't have much issue... and whomever I get to come in could pour a bit of water in. The aquapod I really never top off (closed top). Feeding is the bigger issue for me, each tank has a 6 line and they keep the pods pretty well eaten so the other fish wouldn't have much to pick at w/o being fed.

 

[Candi]

Phyllis: I didn't even think of a pet sitter (simply because we never even needed to think about that before)... good idea in case I can't find anyone else, does anyone have a sitting service they've used before? I get sort of nervous thinking about strangers being in my house.

 

[Phyl]

You might check with any neighbors that you have that have dogs. My neighbor (moved) used to have a sitter come any time they went on vacation. I've never used one though, since my neighbor always took care of it.

 

[jazzsam]

I used to use one for my dogs and they were great. They are insured and that is important if anyone is going to be in your house.

I am trying to find their number but I can't seem to remember where I put it! Once I find it I will let you know.

 

[jazzsam]

Found it:

There's no place like home for pets
732-937-9232

 

[mikem]

I can stop over every day to feed and check on top off's. I'll come over one day after work to get you're feeding schedule.

 

[Candi]

Hi Mike

You're wonderful (as always), I'll let you know for sure when we figure out when we're going... not for a couple weeks I don't think Every other day would probably be fine I think my friend can help out too (but would like if someone with experience peeked in too obviously)

Now who wants to babysit my dorky dog, $40 a day for a kennel is more then double what we paid in MI LOL

 

[mikem]

What size dog? If he's small he can stay with our other 5. if he's big, I can keep him here. Give you're friend my # for an emergency and LMK a few days in advance as to when you's are leaving.

 

[Phyl]

The kennel we used to use was 15$ a day, you may want to shop around. We used Allenwood Vetrinary clinic. They are wonderful there.

 

[Candi]

WOW that is a bargin, the looking around I did here & with my moms group all came back around $40. Thanks for the info. I think for this trip we're just going to take her with us, we're driving back to MI and staying with my inlaws.

 

[JerseyWendy]

What's a vacation?

Going anywhere for any length of time is a thing of the past since we have 2 huge dogs and 2 big parrots, and now a fishtank, too. Since my boys are old enough (18 & 15), we do occasional overnighters, and have even gone to Niagara Falls for 2 nights for our 20th anniversary. It was awesome!

Oh, and 3 years ago I visited my family in Germany - by myself - for a week, and left the men home alone. Everyone survived.

---
Wendy

 

[Candi]

LOL Wendy, not sure how much of a vacation it is... driving 12 hours plus staying with the inlaws

I haven't been on a real vacation since our wedding/honeymoon in Maui in '02... I'm holding out for going back too!

 

[MadReefer]

I agree with Jazzsam. Having everything ready in baggies, storage containers, etc. with taped on directions. I also leave written notes on each tank explaining and what is required. As for kennels Candi you are correct there is nothing under $40 a day. I boarded my dogs many times and its expensive. They also charge for play time, walks, etc. So the cost can be very high.

Mark