Travel Proofing Your Aquaponic System

[TCLynx]

If you have an Aquaponic system, can you still take a vacation?

How best to set things up so minimal over site can take care of your system while you have a holiday or go away for the week for whatever reason.

Here is a good place to share tips, tricks, and advice to help people who want to travel proof their systems.  Here is also a place to ask questions and request advice for the same.

[M Cosmo]

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. Or better yet come and check in on my Garden. Here are some hints on what to say and do for those who are checking in on your systems. First use terms like Garden, Fish tank, watering and the like. Don use terms like Systems, Aquaponics, Plumbing. Not good.
I use a clipboard with a simply check list printed from the computer. Behind the check list I have a printed picture of what it ( what they are checking on) should look like and what to look for if there is trouble. If they are feeding the fish make little ziploc bags of food and label them. Always assume that a 10 year old is doing what you are asking. That is the age of what most newspapers write to. Always ask them to call you if they have any doubt. Above all check with them incase they may have forgotten or side tracked. Camera phones can solve problems much better than a helper trying to describe the problem or what may be normal. Remember the power of guilt. Ask the lettuce freeloaders to come and check on the Garden. And last of all tell them that it will only take a few minutes. I always like to have at least 2 different folks checking on different days as they way if one falls or can't I already have a backup person in place.