To Reef or Not To Reef......

[mike31154]

Every winter I go on at least two, one week backcountry ski trips. An email won't help me out there since the only communications at most remote lodges is satellite phone, although some of them do have internet access. Either way, I still need someone to look in on the tank when I'm away for that long, preferably daily. A few years ago, before my daughter moved back to town, my parents would drive up from Okanagan Falls & stay at my house for most of the week. They are not in the hobby so I left a good set of written instructions & tried to explain as much as possible whenever they visited. On one trip my ATO messed up (overfilled tank) but it happened around the last couple days I was away. Dad got hold of me before it overflowed the display & I simply had him disconnect the feed tube. No harm done, close call though.

Last couple years my daughter has been able to look in on the system every day when I'm away. Being young & tech savvy, there aren't too many issues that she can't solve or find the answer to without having to get hold of me. When I get back from my week(s), the tank usually needs a good cleaning, epecially the glass, but that's taken care of fairly quickly.

Since you've been running freshwater for years & undoubtedly have seen Grizz's setup, you should have a better idea of what you're getting into than a total aquarium newb. Once a system is set up & running for 6 months to a year, you should have it dialed in pretty good & be able to leave for a few days without worrying too much. Depending on what you're planning to keep, it's going to take a while to get it set up anyhow. Provided you can have someone look in on the tank & contact you if necessary, I say do it.