What fish would be best for a Salt Water Aquarium if I know I'll be away for a week

[pm3009]

Hello

I've always wanted to start a Salt Water Aquarium. Had a fresh water
aquarium years ago, but the fish are boring in comparison. I'm an avid
diver, so very interested in a Salt Water fish.

I don't want to rely on anyone to come in daily while going away on
vacation. Maybe once during a week vacation to top off water, feed
frozen food, etc. 8 days is normally the max I'm away for (twice a
year) and several 3-4 day weekends throughout the year.

So....is it out of the question starting a salt water tank if I may be
away for a week here and there?
Are there certain types of fish that can get by without a problem on
flakes and an automatic feeder while I'm away for a week? Certain
types of fish to absolutely keep away from because they'll eat nothing
but frozen food?

Also....what would you consider the BEST book for someone getting into
a Salt Water Aquarium for the first time? Something that talks about
different types of tank set-ups, which fish can be put with which fish,
live rocks, etc etc.

Thanks so much!
Pam

[Guayni SAHS]

Visit my website, http://www.guayni.com/downloads.htm, there is a
downloadable pdf manual on setting up your new tank!
Also, a good beginners book will be...
The Complete Encyclopedia of the Sal****er Aquarium
at Amazon.com you'll find it for $35
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Encyclopedia-Sal****er-Aquarium-Dakin/dp/1552978176/sr=8-1/qid=1169859600/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-6954377-2177548?ie=UTF8&s=books
Good luck!
"pm3009" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Hello
>
> I've always wanted to start a Salt Water Aquarium. Had a fresh water
> aquarium years ago, but the fish are boring in comparison. I'm an avid
> diver, so very interested in a Salt Water fish.
>
> I don't want to rely on anyone to come in daily while going away on
> vacation. Maybe once during a week vacation to top off water, feed
> frozen food, etc. 8 days is normally the max I'm away for (twice a
> year) and several 3-4 day weekends throughout the year.
>
> So....is it out of the question starting a salt water tank if I may be
> away for a week here and there?
> Are there certain types of fish that can get by without a problem on
> flakes and an automatic feeder while I'm away for a week? Certain
> types of fish to absolutely keep away from because they'll eat nothing
> but frozen food?
>
> Also....what would you consider the BEST book for someone getting into
> a Salt Water Aquarium for the first time? Something that talks about
> different types of tank set-ups, which fish can be put with which fish,
> live rocks, etc etc.
>
> Thanks so much!
> Pam
>

[KurtG]

pm3009 wrote:
> I don't want to rely on anyone to come in daily while going away on
> vacation. Maybe once during a week vacation to top off water, feed
> frozen food, etc. 8 days is normally the max I'm away for (twice a
> year) and several 3-4 day weekends throughout the year.

There are automated feeders, but I have a house sitter that feeds and
loves on my various pets. I leave detailed instructions and she just
runs down the list.

You just need to leave the tank ready to coast for a few days. So far,
the longest that I've been away is 7 days.

--Kurt

[Tristan]

Food is not so much of a problem as top off water is, or having
someone check just in case something else goes crazy. Its Murphys
Law.What ever can happen will happen when no one is around......I
have left my fish go unfed for a week quite a few times. I have ATO on
all tanks, and on occassion they do screw up so thats one thing to
think about.
Heaters can stick open or closed but thats not really all that common
in todays day and age as it was a few yewars ago expecially if yu have
a decent quality heater......Perhaps going with 2 heaters that total
up to wattage you need so it will keep tank from getting too cold if
one dies or too hot on the other end of the spectrum.....and add a bit
of peace of mind. I just would not worry about feeding for a weeks
time period. Depending on evaportion rate maybe top off water wil not
be a problem either.


On 26 Jan 2007 14:42:27 -0800, "pm3009" > wrote:

<<>>Hello
<<>>
<<>>I've always wanted to start a Salt Water Aquarium. Had a fresh water
<<>>aquarium years ago, but the fish are boring in comparison. I'm an avid
<<>>diver, so very interested in a Salt Water fish.
<<>>
<<>>I don't want to rely on anyone to come in daily while going away on
<<>>vacation. Maybe once during a week vacation to top off water, feed
<<>>frozen food, etc. 8 days is normally the max I'm away for (twice a
<<>>year) and several 3-4 day weekends throughout the year.
<<>>
<<>>So....is it out of the question starting a salt water tank if I may be
<<>>away for a week here and there?
<<>>Are there certain types of fish that can get by without a problem on
<<>>flakes and an automatic feeder while I'm away for a week? Certain
<<>>types of fish to absolutely keep away from because they'll eat nothing
<<>>but frozen food?
<<>>
<<>>Also....what would you consider the BEST book for someone getting into
<<>>a Salt Water Aquarium for the first time? Something that talks about
<<>>different types of tank set-ups, which fish can be put with which fish,
<<>>live rocks, etc etc.
<<>>
<<>>Thanks so much!
<<>>Pam



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

[swarvegorilla]

Once damsels get to adaulthood they can go 2 weeks or so
they don't like it
and adult damsels are violent suckers
but they do alright
I'd disagree that freshwater are boring
and in your case an african cichlid tank would work well
most can handle a good 3 weeks with no food
but yea they don't like it.
I only feed my morays once or twice a week
they handle that well



"pm3009" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Hello
>
> I've always wanted to start a Salt Water Aquarium. Had a fresh water
> aquarium years ago, but the fish are boring in comparison. I'm an avid
> diver, so very interested in a Salt Water fish.
>
> I don't want to rely on anyone to come in daily while going away on
> vacation. Maybe once during a week vacation to top off water, feed
> frozen food, etc. 8 days is normally the max I'm away for (twice a
> year) and several 3-4 day weekends throughout the year.
>
> So....is it out of the question starting a salt water tank if I may be
> away for a week here and there?
> Are there certain types of fish that can get by without a problem on
> flakes and an automatic feeder while I'm away for a week? Certain
> types of fish to absolutely keep away from because they'll eat nothing
> but frozen food?
>
> Also....what would you consider the BEST book for someone getting into
> a Salt Water Aquarium for the first time? Something that talks about
> different types of tank set-ups, which fish can be put with which fish,
> live rocks, etc etc.
>
> Thanks so much!
> Pam
>