Holiday Food

[Rorie]

I got a weekend food block, and i have also seen week long food blocks...but how do they work?

When i put in sinking pellets for my bottom feeders, all the other fish are the ones that eat it! And they do not stop until it is all eaten. So if i put in a weekend block, will my fish not just eat that all within an hour?!

 

[Curiosity101]

Nope, it's harder food so can't easily be nibbled at. However it does rot quickly. How long will you be away from your fish for and what fish do you have? IMO (and many others), it's safer and easier to simply starve the fish than it is to risk using one of those blocks.
More people come back to find dead fish after a weekend/week block than they do if they've simply starved the fish.

Particularly if you're only away for a weekend no feeds will be fine.

 

[the biffster]

used a week end block once to
come back to a cloudy tank brought
about by the block so after that
used to feed just before we left
and as soon as we got back there fine
for a few days there plenty in the tank
for them to nibble on

 

[Harlequins]

These blocks will do more harm than good,has other peeps have said if its just for the weekend,your fish will be fine without food,just give the a bit extra before you go,they'll be fine.

Has the block breaks down it can cause poor water quality.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

They don't work.
I have left my fish for up over a week, with no problems
I tend to just up the feeding for a few days before hand.

 

[onebto]

Definatley not worth give the a good feed for a couple of days before you go and they will be fine

 

[doresy]

Up to a week of no feeding will actually do them more good than harm! Two weeks will cause a bit of stress which we all know is not good but still most types would survive. Mass feeding before you go is not advisable at all.

Hey, they will be as glad as a 6 week old puppy to see you back!

 

[Rorie]

A week of no food? Really?!

I was worrying about missing one day of feeding, but i was told one day was just ok.... But a week?! Wow.

I was aware that these blocks cause rot which is why i have not used it yet.

I often go away for a day or two, but i am soon going away for 1 week, and then later another 2 weeks. I am trying to get people to come in and feed, but every day looks unlikely, hence why i was looking at these.

My tank is young, 3 months old i guess. I have built it up gradually and eveything is going well which is great. Its a 90L tanks, and i just put in my last fish today (i think i am at capacity now?) so i have:

1 Rainbow shark
2 Corrys
2 synclits (the small algae eaters)
4 Male Guppys
1 Molly (i am thinking about a second to keep her company)
3 Glowlight tetras
6 Danios

All the fish are still young so i am not sure about i can add any more for when they grow. But hopefully this can give indication of how long i can leave them without feeding.... a week even in a young tank with young fish?

Many thanks

 

[Tolak]

A week no problem, two weeks is pushing it for younger fish. Healthy adults can easily go for 2+weeks. For the younger fish and a two week vacation have someone come in after a week, leave a pre-measured amount of food and hide the rest. Just give a normal feeding, hiding the food keeps people unaware of how little fish actually eat from feeding them way too much.

 

[blackers92]

Dont use them, I was away for two weeks once and put in a tetra holiday block.

came back 2 weeks later and there was growth all over it, not one fish had touched it

the fish were fine though

 

[Rorie]

Thats great thanks!

I was looking at automatic feeders, thought they vary in price from £20 - £many! But i guess i wont need that then.

Many thanks!

 

[Nick16]

my rainbows have been fine for 2 weeks without food. i normally feed them twice a week and small amounts. that way, when the food does go in, it all gets eaten up!!!

dont overfeed them before you go. thats probably the worst thing you can do.

 

[Rorie]

So, i am always hearing about the bad things that happen when you OVER feed. But can you UNDER feed? I have heard so many times about feeding once a day, only enough to be consumed within 2mins. but i hear that, then feed every second day, then some say twice a week....it seems to vary so much! How can you tell if your fish are hungry/underfed then?

 

[Nick16]

only you know how hungry your fish are. if they are constantly eating your plants (apart from cichlids) then they are hungry!

i feed mine about twice a week, 1) because its more like their natural environment 2) so they are more used to it when i go away 3) to save on food costs!

i wouldnt bother feeding once a day. at least cut that back to once every 2 days.

if you feed small amounts, but make sure all the fish get some then you know they arent underfed! if they are hungry they will soon fight for the food!