I'm Going Away

[Matt24]

I'm going to be going away for two weeks soon and was wondering what to do about my fish?

Someone is able to come round maybe once or twice

Am I best off getting an auto feeding machine or one of those 'holiday blocks'?

Anything else I need to be aware of other than just feeding?

Thanks

 

[DrRob]

Unless you're very heavily stocked then I wouldn't be too worried.

I'd probably worry more about friends feeding way too much, so remember to portion some food out, people have a tendency to feel that fish need as much as their cats.

 

[the_lock_man]

I would suggest not to get the holiday blocks, I found them them pants, and others on this forum have reported that they can cause ammonia spikes - meaning you come home to tank full of dead fish.

Fish will happily survive a week without food, so if you have someone able to come round, as Rob says, put aside a portion of food for them for the middle of your hols, and then lock the food can away in a bank vault somewhere to prevent your friend from giving them more.

 

[fluttermoth]

Agree with the other posters; the risk from the fish being overfed, especially when you're not there to monitor and water change is much, much greater than leaving them for a couple of weeks.
Live plants will help a lot, if you have them, but I would only get your friend to feed them once, as lock_man rightly says.

 

[freshwaterfishlover]

If your going away just turn off the light and they will be fine. Unless you have plants keep the light on.

 

[Matt24]

Well i was going to get a timer for the lights and also air pump

I have a couple if live plants

Thanks for the help

 

[fluttermoth]

I would save money on the air pump and buy some more plants with it instead. Even cheap bunched pond plants would do a lot more to help your tank stay healthy while you're away.