I'm planning on being back home for two weeks over the holidays and I'm worried about leaving my fish at my apartment. I have a 10 gallon tank. I've heard about those weekend feeders but I've also heard those can affect the quality of the water. If I had to take the tank with me...the drive is about 30 minutes. Any suggestions?
2007-12-11 11:41:27 · 14 answers · asked by muggle_44 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
there's only one key to the apartment and i won't have it over that break. and everyone i live with will be out-of-town as well.
2007-12-11 11:47:49 · update #1
i have nine fish, so i'm worried about "fishing" them all out of the tank and putting them in seperate containers. if i emptied half the water and took the tank just like that.....would that work? has anyone done that?
2007-12-11 11:51:39 · update #2
last related question....are plastic bags better than those plastic ziploc containers? or are they the same?
2007-12-11 12:29:49 · update #3
just leave one of those weekend things in there maybe feed them a little extra everyday before you leave. they'll be ok.
2007-12-11 11:44:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Using plastic bags is the best method. If you try to move the tank with too much water in it, there's a chance the weight and moving could cause one of the seams to fail, then the tank won't hold water.
I'd use either plastic bags (you can get them from a fish store, or even use large (gallon sized) ziploc bags. If the weather's cold, see if your fish store can get you one of their styrofoam boxes from shipping, or get a second hand picnic cooler to protect them from temperature changes. You can even add the media from your filter to keep it wet (so the "good" bacteria stays alive). The drop the water level so it's only about 1/2 to 1 inch above the gravel. You want to keep the gravel wet, because you have good bacteria there as well. Once the water level is down, I tape a piece of plastic over the tank so the water won't splash out.
When you get home, the water may be a little cloudy, but your filter should take care of that after it's been running for a while. The fish will be okay in the bags for a while (I've moved them 4.5-5 hours, so 30 minutes won't be a problem).
You could also look into buying an automatic feeder (for future breaks) that lets you adjust how much food is given and how often. Use the setting for the least amount, and only feed one time per day. Start about a week ahead of your break, and play with the adjustments so you're 100% positive it won't overfeed your fish. Clean the tank right before you leave, and when you get back. But you should also be 100% positive that your landlord/dorm doesn't turn the power off over break, since that would affect your filter and heater.
ADDITION: For the amount of time the fish would be in the bags, they'd be about the same. Just be sure to arrange the bags so they don't flop over - not all ziplock bags are leakproof. Keep about 1/3 -1/2 of the bag with water and the rest air.
2007-12-11 20:23:31 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have moved aquariums with fish in them before. Up to 55 gal tanks with large Oscars moved from South Carolina to Maine on one occasion. 20 years in the Navy we moved a lot. The best way to do this is to take 1/2 to 3/4 of the water out of the aquarium, put in a battery operated air pump with an air stone. This should keep the fish going fine for a 1/2 hour trip. At the destination, refill the aquarium with properly treated water. The biggest thing to watch for is rapid temp changes. Keep the aquarium/water at it's normal temperature as much as possible to avoid stress related complications (ich is the most common). A battery run heater, tested and set properly may also be a good idea.
2007-12-11 20:15:42 · answer #3 · answered by brddg1974 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Healthy adult fish will be fine for two weeks without food. Feed well the week before, do a good water change before you leave, and enjoy your time away.
Feeding blocks will contaminate your water, and you won't be around to do anything about it. Auto feeders either plug & don't work, or dump way too much food in.
Fasting is part of the conditioning process used to get some species to breed. I've fasted adult angels for 3 weeks without any losses. http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/adolfsson_dry%20and%20rainy%20seasons.html
Never move a tank in any condition but empty, unless you are willing to take the risk of future leaking problems. Contact any tank manufacturor, they will tell you the same. No fish, water, gravel, or other decorations.
2007-12-11 21:02:27 · answer #4 · answered by Tolak 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, depending on the type of the fish, I would remove the fish and put them in a separate smaller container full of water. Then dump the now fish free tank and bag the rocks etc. stuff the tank with towels or whatever you think is best to keep it from breaking or cracking. then take all with you. Be care with the fish though, depending on the type they may be more easily traumatized than others, but you brought them home form a fish store right?, so it should be possible.
2007-12-11 19:48:33 · answer #5 · answered by roxy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my husband and I moved about 15 mins from were we were living we have a 55gal we took the fish out and put them in buckets and emptied the tank but the weekend feeders are fine if your not going to be gone long, also if it is just a is just a 10 gal you can empty half of the water and stick it in your car and just watch the fish to make sure they are ok, They also a filter that you can buy and use in your car you can get them at pet smart
2007-12-11 19:48:19 · answer #6 · answered by Jesi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get feeder blocks that are good for a week. Throw a couple in and go on your vacation. Fish can survive for a long time without food. You'll have a lot less problem with just leaving them alone than disturbing the whole thing and moving them. Fish get stressed out by moving and if you slosh them around in a half empty tank for 30 minutes it certainly won't do them any good.
2007-12-11 19:59:53 · answer #7 · answered by Mokey41 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go to the store and ask if you can use one of their bags there that they use at the store. All you do is fill it up with the water already in the tank about halfway, put all your fish in there (may take 2-4 depending on how many fish you have. Don't want too many in too small of a space). Fill the rest of the bag with air and then tie it off like you would bread, except with a rubber band. Then empty out the tank and there you go :)
2007-12-11 19:45:53 · answer #8 · answered by winds_of_justice 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I drive 30 munutes to work every day, A lot of people do.
You can just leave them there and go feed them about every 3-4 days, It won't hurt them and you may just end up with better water quality in your tank.
If you don't already have a light timer, Get one, They are only about $8 and you won't have to worry about the lights being turned on or off.
You can also buy a automatic feeder and only have to drive back once to reload it.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/pet_supplies.cfm?c=3578+4430
It's not worth the risk and stress on your fish to move your tank.
2007-12-12 08:20:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
one kinda HARD way (10 gallons!) is to take all the fish out and put them in something else with water then empty out all the water in the tank and take the tank with u and the fish and when u get there fill it back up
or u could just find a smaller tank an put water in in it and take it with u
2007-12-11 19:49:55 · answer #10 · answered by QueenLia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe buy a smaller one (a temporary tank) and transfer the fish there. That depends on the amount of fish that you have.
Or get a neighbor or co-worker to take care of the fish.
Or pay a little kid 10 dollars a day (or some other amount) to take care of them. (Money is the incentive)
Hope this helps
2007-12-11 19:45:50 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋