Feeding On Holiday

[Colonel Mustard]

when i will be going on a two week holiday, i would like to know which is the best way to feed my fish, there are many ways but which is the best

Doing nothing
tablets
auto feeder
get a fish freind to go into your own house and feed your fish

if you have loads or no experience i will appreciate your help

thanks everyone

my fish should be listed bellow, they live in my 120litre tank

 

[Betta91]

They do need to be fed regularly. I would say the autofeeder, but I'm not sure how much food it holds...If it seems like enough, then go for it. Since you'll be gone for such a long time, I think the best option would be to have a good, trusting friend to come over and feed them for you.

 

[zoekin8yg]

1 week they would be fine with no food 2 weeks is best to get someone to go feed them for you. Or a reliable autofeeder, but make sure that you have checked its ok before you go or you might end up with over or under fed fish!

 

[the_faze]

IMHO, if you have a friend that knows what he/she is doing or if you show your friend how to feed the fish that is the best option.

If you don't, then the feeder is the next option but, I would test the feeder for at least a week before I trust it to feed my fish. I have heard stories both ways about auto feeders so I would urge you to test it before you trust it.

It is possible to leave the fish for two weeks without food, but I would only do this if I had no other choice. Just turn off the lights and leave them for the two weeks.

For the tablets, I don't trust them at all.

Hope that helps

 

[dwarfgourami]

The friend does not need to know what they are doing as long as you measure out every day's portion into separate sections (a pill dispenser from the pharmacy is useful for this- it's basically a compartmented box) and HIDE ALL OTHER FOOD. This last is the essential part.
Tell them to empty one compartment into the tank every day or every other day or (my choice to cut down on mess) every three days. Do not make portions bigger than you would give in one go if you were at home, even if it means very reduced rations.
I have tried automatic feeders and had a disaster, I have tried tetrasticks, which were slightly better, but have now decided to stick to exploiting my neighbours as being the more reliable option. They get a box of chocolates on my return and everybody is happy.

 

[bare bottom]

likewise. Neighbours, compartments of food and bribery everyone wins!

 

[gpgscott]

I like dwarfgourami's suggestion alot,

Remember how hard it was to learn to not overfeed, the suggestion is so simple it's brilliant. Scott

 

[crazie.eddie]

If you are going to be gone for 2 weeks, then I would not worry about feeding everyday. I would rather you feed them every 3-4 days or so. The reason is there will be nobody to perform water changes. Depending on the fish, they should be able to last a couple of weeks without food. I always feel sorry if my fish do not get any food for more than 2 days. As I mentioned, feed them every 3-4 days or so, so the buildup of waste will not be too much. Then when you get back, you can perform a water change/gravel cleaning.

 

[thegnu]

give em a good feed and water change before you go, leave the light off, go and enjoy your holiday and when you come back you will have crystal clear water, a lot less algae, a healthier tank and OK a bit slimmer fish

 

[kribensis12]

What I find that is if you dont do a gravel vac for about 2 weeks that when you are gone, the fish will pick up bits of the ground. I would give them a good feed but no gravel vac and get somthing like amo-lock to keep the nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia down.

 

[keith00]

Whatever you decide to do I would definitely have a friend pop in at least a couple of times a week just to check that the hasn't gone off and to turn things back on if necessary. Happened to me once.

 

[mlawson]

For a week you can leave them, but for a two week holiday you should have a friend to go in evry 3-4
days and give a small portion to the fish. Make set days in small bags and write which day it should be fed. That way
they can't overfeed.