potential problem

[gi4get]

In one week I will be moving back to college. Once there, I will buy, set up and cycle a 20 gal tank. When it's cycled I plan on buying a school of tiger barbs and a school of cardinal tetras. My potential problem is this; we have a week off for thanksgiving and a month off for Christmas/winter and I live in a dorm. I'm asking around about this now so I can prepare. I certainly can't move the tank so what options do I have? Would an automatic feeder work for a whole month? What about water changes and quality ? Should I hire a babysitter :wink: ? I also have a betta who will probably stay in his solitary tank. For these breaks, I'll just take him home

 

[Starry]

That is a good question. I have been wondering about what I am going to do also. I will be going away for a week in October. If you can find a friend to take care of your fish while you are away, that would be ideal. In my case, I live to far from anyone to travel to my home to take care of my fish. Getting an automatic feeder has crossed my mind and I will be looking into that. I am interested in seeing other posters answer to this question also.

 

[smb]

With the one week vacation, I would just feed them before you left and let it go at that. Maybe a water change the day before also.

For the 1 month, I would look into a automatic feeder. I don't trust anyone with my fish. If it were between me having someone feed my fish or them not eating for a month, they wouldn't be eating for a month as long as they aren't fry. I've heard too many horror stories of people killing off fish this way to trust anyone. That's jmo, tho, and not meant as a putdown to anyone elses friends, just mine.

See what others here say about automatic feeders. I've never used them before and I've heard there are some that are good and some that drop too much food in and it sits there etc.

 

[gi4get]

I'm glad I'm not the only one puzzling over this question I'll look into the automatic feeders

 

[Xenity7]

Hmmmm, a one month vacation doesn't sound like a problem to me... Autofeeders are the way to go, don't trust your friends/neighbors/relatives not to overfeed.

 

[Kossy]

Um... auto feeders aren't that good actually. IS it ones where you drop and the fish feed when they feel like it? If so then I know from experience this pollutes your tank more than you would believe!! so you could perhaps trust some one in giving your fish the exact amount like putting them in little packets and for someone to drop in the packet whenever you tell em too.

 

[Starry]

No Kossy, it is not the same thing.
An automatic feeder automatically distributes food at a set time. You can decide how much food should be distributed and what time it should be distributed. It is a mechanical device.
(I believe your thinking of the vacation feeders that desolve. )

 

[gi4get]

I really like the baggie idea. It might take a little work but well worth it and easier on the fishiesitter too! Thanks Kossy!

Starry-
I'm guessing you have experience with the feeders. Do you know where and for how much I can find and good feeder? All the feeders I've found will put me out an arm and a leg . Gotta love the college budget

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

how would you keep an aquarium at college? wouldn't that make it kind of hard to do a water change?

 

[Starry]

No, sorry gi4get, I don't have any experience with feeders. I just know of them. Every year I go away for a week or two at a time so I needed to know how to take care of the fish when I would go away on vacation. Especially because of the fact that I don't live close enough for anyone to feed the fish. I was looking into this before I got the tank. If automatic feeders didn't exsist, then I would of never got a tank. I heard that some can range around $20.00 and others can be higher. You can do a search on the internet also to see what type of deals there are out there.
I think Petsmart may carry them also. I plan to get one before I go away in October. I know that fish can go a week without food like one poster said, but I still don't feel comfortable leaving them a week without feeding them. I think I would be too worried.
Good luck on whatever you decide!

 

[gi4get]

Actually I haven't even bought the tank yet. I'm still trying to work out some of the kinks, including vacation time. I have a single room this year so I needn't worry about *ahem* er...uh...roomies. I have the floor plan of the room worked out in my mind but heaven knows that doesn't always work out. If I can find an inexpensive stand (that can hold over 160 lbs.) and if I have space in my room and if I like the health conditions of the lfs fishies and if I can work out all the other little kinks.....Only then will I drop the 200 bucks and invest in the tank-I've-been-drooling-over-for-months *breathe*. If not, then no go *dar dar* . Until then, I'm pestering everyone I know about fish stuff ...Including people I don't know! ) Thanks guys.

 

[Starry]

Oh, I have to know! What type of tank? How many gallons ?

 

[HawkEye]

Well first if you are living in a dorm...no one is allowed in there over break anyway...so that leaves out a friend...as for water changes...1 month is not too bad...I change 25-30% of my water once a month (I know many people believe once a week is more proper)...but remember, it will take you 4-6 weeks to cycle a tank (maybe sooner if you have media from a already cycled tank) by that time you are very close to your first break (well about 4 weeks away)...if your not sure I would go with danios...they school and are VERY hardy fish...

Automatic feeders go anywhere from $20 on up (with price is also some quality and extras)... here's some at Big Al's http/www.bigalsonline.com/cgi-bin/search...4686.1062074686

Being away at college I would stick with hardy fish and then if you ever ge out of the dorm (many college students do eventually get an apartment) then you can get more "sensitive" fish

 

[nene]

Have you heard of the new Tetra Vacation Sticks? They are kind of a gel based, not that ucky chalky stuff that the others are made of. I think the package says they can slowly release food for up to 30 days. I bought some as we are going away for 5 days in October and I intend to use them for my community tank. I wil let everyone know how they work. I got mine at my local fish store but you can also order them online at Drs Foster and Smith.

 

[gi4get]

Starry....I think I've finally settled on a 20 gal. high. I'm very excited!! Sounds like people here are the joy!!

HawkEye...thanks for the link. Very helpful.

Nene....haven't heard of the vacation sticks. If they don't junk up the tank we may have found another alternative Let us know how things go!

Just as an update...My sweet little fishies (a betta and two guppies) are doing great. They're healthy and very active....Teehee...I hope they stay that way. I found a quart sized plastic container for my betta (Blarg). It fits securely in the cooler which will hopefully prevent any spillage. Er...um...MOST of my...) heh...junk is packed and waiting to move. We're counting down the hours! B)