2 Week Hols, Fish In Or Out?

[RickyHeaven]

Hi all,
Firstly I'd like to say what a great site, I've learned so much from here.
I've just finished cycling my 63 litre FishBox, it's planted and has a Fluval U3 filter.
I was planning on stocking it over the next few weeks, however I've just booked a 2 week
holiday at the end of march and I don't know if to leave it empty till I get back or stock
and ask a friend to feed the fish.

Thanks for any advice.
Cheers Rick

 

[Jenste]

I would leave it empty - - too many things can go wrong in the first few weeks after adding fish to a new tank - even with it cycled - - it would be better to wait until you can be around to monitor the tank

 

[RickyHeaven]

Cheers Jenste, makes sense.
What would be the best way to keep the tank cycled while I'm away?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Firstly, to TFF!!!!

If it is in the end of march, and your tank is cycled, then I would start to add fish. Then the fish will be enough to keep it going.

How did you cycle your tank, may I ask?

-FHM

 

[RickyHeaven]

Cheers FHM
I fishless cycled with ammonia.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Cheers FHM
I fishless cycled with ammonia.

Very good!

Well, if the cycle is completed then, I would start to add fish.

If you did the cycle properly, you can go ahead and add your full stocking of fish at once. With a fishless cycle, there is no need to add fish over the course of a couple weeks, instead add them all at once.

-FHM

 

[RickyHeaven]

I didn't realize that. Thought you had to add a few at a time. That will make things a lot easier.

So the fish would be ok over the 2 weeks?

 

[fatheadminnow]

I didn't realize that. Thought you had to add a few at a time. That will make things a lot easier.

So the fish would be ok over the 2 weeks?

Yeah, they can survive for 2 weeks without food.

-FHM

 

[Assaye]

If you leave the tank then you will just reverse the cycle unless you can get someone to dose daily with ammonia while you are away.

I would stock, but only add half. In theory the fishless cycle should allow you to add all the stock but with you going away, you won't be able to observe the tank and pounce on any problems. Stocking half way would keep the tank cycled and totally safe guard against water quality problems.

Good luck!

 

[fatheadminnow]

If you leave the tank then you will just reverse the cycle unless you can get someone to dose daily with ammonia while you are away.

I would stock, but only add half. In theory the fishless cycle should allow you to add all the stock but with you going away, you won't be able to observe the tank and pounce on any problems. Stocking half way would keep the tank cycled and totally safe guard against water quality problems.

Good luck!

This is true, however he will not be leaving on vacation until the end of March, which is more than a month away. So, IMO, I think a month is more than enough time for the fish to settle in and for the water parameters to stabilize enough to ensure everything will be just fine.

-FHM

 

[Jenste]

re-reading I would agree with FHM - when I first read your post I missed the part about March entirely! I thought we were discussing a much sooner trip!
plan your stock and enjoy the fish for an extra month!

 

[Assaye]

If you leave the tank then you will just reverse the cycle unless you can get someone to dose daily with ammonia while you are away.

I would stock, but only add half. In theory the fishless cycle should allow you to add all the stock but with you going away, you won't be able to observe the tank and pounce on any problems. Stocking half way would keep the tank cycled and totally safe guard against water quality problems.

Good luck!

This is true, however he will not be leaving on vacation until the end of March, which is more than a month away. So, IMO, I think a month is more than enough time for the fish to settle in and for the water parameters to stabilize enough to ensure everything will be just fine.

-FHM

Ah, missed that!

 

[waterdrop]

How did you determine that the fishless cycle had reached the its end if I may ask? We have a bit complicated way of arriving at that determination.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[RickyHeaven]

Thanks all.

I've been using the add to 5ppm and wait method.
I,ve been testing every 12 hours for the last week and found that the ammonia and nitrite return to 0ppm
after this time.
Is that right?

oh and I started the cycle 19/12/09

 

[kevin82]

Same method as me and my tank worked out fine after around 7 weeks as well.

I'd go ahead and start adding fish. It's just my opinion but I wouldn't stock up to capacity all at once. Fish can be very skittish and nervous once in a new tank.