Fish sitting.

[Anonymous]

I will be away for 3 or 4 weeks, and I don't think my parents will be able to take care of my tank. My main concern is my clowns. The rest of the tank pretty much automated. Anyone think that I can as my LFS to take care of my clown for 3 or 4 weeks? How much am I going to pay for sitting fee?

 

[Anonymous]

That is the best reason for joining a reef club. No idea what the store would charge. If you are a regular customer they might do it as a favor.

 

[iseeweed]

The owner of my LFS took care of my tank for a week when I was on my honeymoon. He came over 3 times and charged my $60.

 

[Petsolutions]

If your local fish store won't do it, see if there are any reputable tank maintenance guys in your area who might do it for you. They often will have holding facilities at their place to hold fish short term. Be aware that anyone who is taking them from you to watch them for you may require you to sign some sort of waiver telling you that if they die while in their care then they bear no responsibility to replace the item or compensate you for it.

The suggestion about joining your local reef club for the future is a good one though, other members of the club can often help out in situations like this.

 

[Microcosmos]

I like the reef club suggestions, and won't knock 'em, but most clowns will eat flakes... Have you considered purchasing an automated feeder for those weeks? Much cheaper than a fish sitter... Just a suggestion!

 

[Anonymous]

I thought of the auto feeder, but these two clowns are some of the dumbest fish I ever have. Unless you put the food at a very specific spot in the tank, it just let it float by. And they don't eat at the top of the water either, has to be sinking. When I put my arm in there, even if it is 4 feet away, the female will come bite me. When the food is 2 inch from them, nope, not interested. :roll:

 

[Raskal311]

I’ve heard dozens of stories of problems during vacations and it’s always the sitter over feeding the tank. Portion out the food and instruct the sister exactly how and when to feed. Also give the number of a trusted LFS that knows your tank to the sitter to call them if any thing looks off and give the LFS a heads up.

Ohh and install a batter backup air pump that turns itself on when power goes out. They run under $20 and could save you a lot of $$ if power goes out.

 

[Petsolutions]

I like the idea of portioning out the food for a sitter in advance as mentioned above, especially if your clowns are only being given flake food while you are gone. You could use one of those pill organizers like people who have daily medications to take. Each little compartment has its own lid, so you could put the amount of flake food into the little cube which is labeled with the day of the week on it, and all they have to know to do is feed he food that is in that little plastic cube for that day to the fish. Should be super simple, and even a non fish person could do that with ease.