Going Away What Should I Do ?

[MrWhite]

Just find out i have to go newcastle well over a week i live in manchester and my tank that i love as only been setup nearly 3 weeks it needs daily water changes and every so often i get small ammonia readings so i need to be hear for tank maintenance i have 4 fish in the tank so i really cant leave them as theres no one than can look after my tank properly and i have to take some fish back any way cos there to aggressive so i was thinking about taking all 4 back and just leave my tank running over a week without fish then when i get back get some better community fish i have lots of plants is this a bad idea will all my bacteria thats built up die away i really dont no what to do i have 2 go Wednesday so all help need asap really

thanks

 

[MrWhite]

bump

 

[Davo86]

Just find out i have to go newcastle well over a week i live in manchester and my tank that i love as only been setup nearly 3 weeks it needs daily water changes and every so often i get small ammonia readings so i need to be hear for tank maintenance i have 4 fish in the tank so i really cant leave them as theres no one than can look after my tank properly and i have to take some fish back any way cos there to aggressive so i was thinking about taking all 4 back and just leave my tank running over a week without fish then when i get back get some better community fish i have lots of plants is this a bad idea will all my bacteria thats built up die away i really dont no what to do i have 2 go Wednesday so all help need asap really

thanks

yes if you empty the tank then the bacteria will die down,

I would simply feed the fish gradually less in the days up until the day you go and then do a 50% water change just before you leave,
if you have live plants then this will keep the levels down and with 2 fish going you will be halving your bioload aswell, meaning that everything should really be ok whilst your away

 

[Hawkins]

How many litres is the tank? It makes a difference on the readings.

 

[MrWhite]

110litres all i really wana do is take all my fish back to the store as there not really compatible anyway and leave it running for about 10days with no fish in then get 4 new fish that are not aggressive when i get back cos i cant leave the fish on there own with no maintenance i could have some 1 feed the fish but cos its not mature yet theres other things that need doing so i cant just leave it with fish in but i dont want my bacteria to die

 

[stonedcamel]

i recently started my own fish tank also, well approx 5 weeks ago and havent cycled but never mind! i knew i was going away and therefore did not buy any fish for the tank but had it set up running and with some live plants, i also aquired a crayfish which was hiding within the a plant. Anyway i did a 20% water change when i left and then a water change when i got back which was approx 8 days and so far i have not had any problems and recently added fish to the tank which are also doing very well for themselves although a couple have gone missing due to the crayfish.

 

[MrWhite]

i recently started my own fish tank also, well approx 5 weeks ago and havent cycled but never mind! i knew i was going away and therefore did not buy any fish for the tank but had it set up running and with some live plants, i also aquired a crayfish which was hiding within the a plant. Anyway i did a 20% water change when i left and then a water change when i got back which was approx 8 days and so far i have not had any problems and recently added fish to the tank which are also doing very well for themselves although a couple have gone missing due to the crayfish.

Because i have had fish in the tank its built up at least some bacteria so if i take them out now i dont wana have 2 start from day 1 again in 10 days then after wait another 4 weeks to put more fish instead of 1week witch is how long i have till my next 2 can go in

 

[stonedcamel]

possibly get some little hardy fish you like and want and give them a food block. clean the tank before you go and then clean the tank when you get back, im only new but this is what i would consider

 

[MrWhite]

this might work just get like 2 hardys to keep the tank going but have my friend feed them small amounts to keep the ammonia down

but im just worried in case i get a spike or high ammonia my friend can only feed the fish while im away he cant test the water add decor water change ect he hasn't got a clue lol i dont no what to do

 

[stonedcamel]

with mine, i didnt have anyone on stand by, gave the crayfish a food block and sort of left him to it for 8 days came back and did the regular maintanence required and everything has been going well. i didnt have anyone dropping in to see him or feed him until i got back.

 

[Truck]

DO NOT!! buy a food block, there an ammonia spike waiting to happen, fish will be fine for a week without food. mine had 3 weeks without anything because the neighbour never fed them

 

[stonedcamel]

oh well.... theres me not going use food blocks again! learn something everyday

 

[MrWhite]

its not the feeding im worried about its the ammonia nitrite ect water changes gravel vac theres no 1 that could do that for me thanks for the replys

 

[stonedcamel]

so when your fish tank is set up, you never going on holiday again?

 

[MrWhite]

no but after so long my tank will be mature to the point where it doesnt need daily attention at the min its still cycling with hardys in so i cant just leave at the minute when my tanks mature i wont have problems with going away