going away

[morgan]

Hi, sorry to raise a finished topic but I have to add something. First of all I apologise for saying that feeding blocks are OK. When I got home from holiday last Tuesday everything was OK so I posted to say so. This weekend I have had trouble with the tank water and my pump. I can only assume it is from the feeding blocks. So I am sorry, you were right and I was wrong. Just wanted to set things straight and also to let others know what has happened to my tank. Lucky it didn't happen while I was away. I will definitely not use the blocks again.

 

[MAM]

If someone will be dropping in to care for your fish something that works great are those daily pill holders (with the letter of the day painted on the lid, you can get one week or multi-week varieties, I've found the one-week ones for about a $1 at Walmart, but you can find them at any pharmacy store). Put the amount of food in the proper day and instruct them to feed that way. That way they won't have access to too much food, and they know what days and how much to feed. If you use frozen food, put the blocks in the dispenser and put back in freezer until needed. I keep a few of these around for fish food only.

As for cleaning, well, you may come back to a tank in desparate need of a water change, but if you have good filtration, and you clean just before you leave, your tanks should be okay for two weeks.

 

[morgan]

That's a good idea if you have someone who can come in. Unfortunately I don't. Next time I will just use the automatic feeder (that worked). By the way know what you mean about melting in Phoenix, we've been there on holiday! Liked it despite the heat.

 

[trace1]

we used them holiday blocks when we went away for 10 day 1 of the tanks was fine but in the other tank the block had gone moldy so won't be using them again, will just get someone to check on fishy friends for us

 

[pica_nuttalli]

morgan, unless you're going to be gone for more than 10 days, the cheapest and easiest solution would be to not feed your fish. adult fish can easily go for two weeks without eating and no harm done.

if you don't feel comfortable abandoning smaller fish with larger ones, get some inexpensive live river shrimp (see "ghost shrimp"). get a couple of whiffle balls and tie some rocks to them so that they sink. toss in the shrimp and the balls for them to hide in--while your fish will probably get most of the shrimp in the first few days, hunting the river shrimp should keep the bigguns fat, happy & distracted.