How Do I Prepare My Tank For My Hoilday?

[joannajane]

My tanks are 8 months(35ltr) and 6 months(260ltr) old and I'm leaving them for 14days.

What is the max water change I can do? and by doing a huge change before I go will that help?

Jo

 

[jmkgreen]

Norwich eh - my old neck of the woods...

Provided you follow standard procedures, you can change 100% of your water. By standard procedures I mean allowing the water to achieve room temperature, dechlorination etc.

The things I would look for would be to ensure you have a good flow of water through the filter (clean if necessary) and an auto-feeder that you know how to use - i.e. test it first. Don't feed too much though - you won't be there to clean the tank out if it suddenly becomes necessary.

 

[Sofia]

I wouldnt change 100% of the water I would change 50% you're only going for 2 weeks the fish can survive without a weekly water change.

Is there anyone you can trust to feed your fish while you are away?

 

[rdd1952]

I would do a 50% water change the day before you leave, feed the morning you leave and have fun. as mentioned, fish can easily make it 2 weeks without food. They certainly don't get fed daily in the wild. I'm sure some species may fare better than others but they should be fine.

As for feeding, the week bofore, I would cut back to feeding every other day including the morning you leave.

If you decide you feel you have to have some one check on your tanks, you can pre-measure normal amounts of food into cups and then just instruct them to put a cup in every so many days. Hide the rest of the food so they can't add extra. Feeding every 3 days should be plenty.

 

[joannajane]

Norwich eh - my old neck of the woods...

Provided you follow standard procedures, you can change 100% of your water. By standard procedures I mean allowing the water to achieve room temperature, dechlorination etc.

The things I would look for would be to ensure you have a good flow of water through the filter (clean if necessary) and an auto-feeder that you know how to use - i.e. test it first. Don't feed too much though - you won't be there to clean the tank out if it suddenly becomes necessary.

Thanks for the advise, I'll do a big water change next wednesday before I go and i'm going to test my autonatic feeder right now just to check the amount it gives out.

 

[joannajane]

I would do a 50% water change the day before you leave, feed the morning you leave and have fun. as mentioned, fish can easily make it 2 weeks without food. They certainly don't get fed daily in the wild. I'm sure some species may fare better than others but they should be fine.

As for feeding, the week bofore, I would cut back to feeding every other day including the morning you leave.

If you decide you feel you have to have some one check on your tanks, you can pre-measure normal amounts of food into cups and then just instruct them to put a cup in every so many days. Hide the rest of the food so they can't add extra. Feeding every 3 days should be plenty.

the only worry about them not getting enough food is that I don't want my fish to start eating my cherry shrimp as I have about 150 now and I'm told make a good snack.

I do have a close friend who keeps marine fish so I'm sure she'll be o.k to pop in and check on them without overfeeding.

thanks so much for the advise.

 

[rdd1952]

I would go with your friend then. Since she keeps fish, she will understand that it doesn't take a bucket full of food for them.