08/10/2026
ONE WEEK AWAY… AND THE REEF IS STILL HAPPY!
I just came back from a week-long road trip, and one question I often hear is:
How do you leave your reef aquarium for a vacation without worrying too much?
The answer is simple: preparation, stability, and keeping things simple.
Before leaving, I always follow a few basic rules:
* Clean the protein skimmer. An overflowing skimmer is the last thing you want while you’re away.
* Top off your freshwater reservoir. Make sure your ATO has enough water for the entire trip, with a little extra.
* Check your equipment. Pumps, heaters, temperature, and automatic systems should all be working properly.
* Feed lightly. Fish can handle a little less food much better than an aquarium can handle excessive nutrients.
* Have someone you trust check on the tank. Ideally, a fellow aquarist who understands what to look for.
But here is probably my most important advice:
DON’T DO TOO MUCH BEFORE LEAVING!
Avoid major changes, unnecessary adjustments, new livestock, or last-minute equipment upgrades.
Sometimes, trying to make everything perfect before leaving creates more problems than it prevents.
A healthy reef aquarium thrives on stability, not constant intervention.
And one last thing: make sure the person watching your aquarium knows exactly what to do, but also what NOT to do.
The goal isn’t to leave a perfect aquarium. It’s to come home to the same healthy, stable reef you left behind.
One week later, everything is doing just fine.
What about you? Do you feel comfortable leaving your reef aquarium for a week?
Francois Neo
AquaStudio Lexington
AquaStudioLexington
