Tropical fish enquiries?

Question

Im going away for a week, what shall i do about light in the tank?
What shall i do about feeding?

Answer 1

I would recommend invest in some automatic feeders. They are around 15 bucks each and seem to work pretty well. As for the light, I would leave it off because I am guessing most likely you turn it off at night. Or, you could hire a pet sitter to care for your fish. Leave them exact instructions on how much to feed them, etc. I would recommend taking little Ziploc baggies and labeling them day1-day7 and put all the premeasured food in. That way, there can't be the mistake of underfeeding or overfeeding. I didn't re write what the first respinder said, I just posted it after them.

Answer 2

The best way to leave your fish for a week is in nice clean water. When I'm going away for a week or two I stop feeding two or three days before leaving. The day before leaving I do nice large water changes,but no feeding. My tanks are in a basement so I have a few lights on timers,but this really isn't necessary. Indirect light from a nearby window is sufficient. I make sure that the filters are clean,this is a good opportunity to clean filter media,sponges,etc., because there won't be any pollutants to challenge the bacteria colonies for a whole week. When you return start with small feedings,they will have slightly diminished appetites for a few days,but you should find a happy,healthy aquarium.
I have left my fish like this for slightly over two weeks with no ill effects at all,even with new fry 1/4 inch in length.
So see that they've got clean water and enjoy a"no worries"trip.
The first time is the hardest.

Answer 3

If you have live plants, then I recommend you getting a timer from your grocery or hardware store and put in a timer. If you don't have live plants, then just leave the light off.

Feeding, well, you could either have someone come to your house but this isn't recommended if the person visiting doesn't know you. I usually buy an automaitc filter which feeds twice a day and you could set how much food you want.

BEFORE LEAVING::
Clean the filter and change some of the water.
Make sure everything is working, even the feeder.

Have fun on your trip!

Answer 4

nothing.
leave the light off.
feed the normal amount before you leave and they will be perfectly fine until you get back. fish can go a few weeks without food and it wont affect them one bit.

i never use vacation feeders because of how much ammonia it could add to the tank while im gone. the vacation feeders give off food continuously. the uneaten food breaks down and produces ammonia. this could actually hurt the fish more than if you did not feed them.
also, automatic feeders are known to malfunction, dropping all of the food into the tank at the same time. again, massive ammonia.

Answer 5

You can leave your light off, the fish won't care a bit. It's better if you do anyway, too much light can cause algae problems.

As for feeding, they do have a "vacation" feeding system that you can use. Buy it at the store where you get your fish. Or, you could have a friend or neighbor help you out. Measure out the food for each day you are gone and put it in a zip loc bag. Then write down instructions for whoever is going to help you.

Answer 6

@ petsmart they have 7 day pyramid fish feeders. the fish don't love them, but hey, what else r u going to do? at least they're not gonna starve. but they do make a mess though. you have to do a thorough cleaning after wards. i heard that if you leave the remains of the fish feeder in, it could get really germy and cause the fish to die. So as soon as you get back from vacation, replace all the water, wash all plastic plants and replacve all gravel/sand/ground covering substrate.

and leave the light off too cause that will cause major algae problems. if you do, you'll have to scrub the tank.... eeewww!!

Answer 7

don't worry about feeding, unless you just had a spawning you fish will be fine for a week. DO NOT GET THE VACATION FEEDER BLOCK FOOD THING!!! they can easily pollute your tank. just leave the lights off and don't worry about food.
if you can have someone come in and feed them that would be ideal.

Answer 8

If yoy are concerned about plants get a light timer from the hardware store (about $10) and just set it for the hours you are now providing (should be between 8-10 hours to control algae blooms)
depending on the size of your tank and its occupants you can get various kinds of "feeder " blocks from pet shops just try and get one for your situation. if nothing is available they also have automatic feeders that can feed them the food they are currantly getting.
if not just get that cute chick from the pet shop to cme over to feed them . good luck

Answer 9

i go away alot and i have tons of fish and tanks, so you an live the lights off, and get a weekend feeder block for your feeding problem.