Nothing serious, just a question

[Indigo]

Since I've gotten my tank and been doing research, my boyfriend has gotten very interested in getting a tank as well. The problem is that he often is working out of town, up to a maximum of 3 weeks, the kicker is that he lives too far away for me to go and do regular tank maintenance. (2-3 hour drive, longer since I don't have a vehicle).

Is it possible/safe/un-cruel to have a tank under that could work in these conditions? If so, any ideas of what, how, who, why etc. Its nothing concrete, just a thought he and I were kicking around, and I thought I'd throw it to the masses.

Thanks

 

[cgrabe]

I think it would be possible but difficult. You'd have to have the tank very lightly stocked relative to its size, a reliable automatic feeding system that can run for that long (even if only feeding once every other day or something), and heating/filtration would need to be as fault tolerant as possible. That means dual filters on UPS backup and dual heaters. Otherwise, if a part fails or the power goes out for a few minutes, he could come home to dead fish. You would also need the lighting on an automatic timer. Once all that is set up, you'd want to give it a dry run while he's present to monitor the water conditions for the full three weeks. Even if it all works perfectly, a disease or posessed fish could wipe out the population by the time he returns. I don't think I'd try it myself.

 

[daveedka]

I think it would be more trouble than it is worth, I travel 45+ weeks a year, but get home all but a handfull of weekends. I have a very dependable son who I can call on if I'm gone for more than 7 straight days. Even with being home most weekends and the occasional assistance of my son, I sometimes wonder if I'm a lunatic for having tanks when I travel. The real crux of the matter is that even for me I spend far more time working on my tanks than I do sitting back and enjoying them. I see my fish less than I see the gravel vac. If he is out 3 weeks at a time would it would just be more trouble than than enjoyment IMO. If he wanted to try it anyhow, I would go big tank small fish, and a lot of money spent on automatic stuff as mentioned.
dave

 

[Indigo]

Thanks for the advice. Your posts confirm my gut feeling that it would be more hassle than its worth. The BF can live vicariously through my tank (which is doing well, got a big nasty bag of filter squeezings last night from the LFS weee!).

In the meantime he can get a bowl with those floating glass fish that I've seen. No water changes!