study abroad opportunity...

[pica_nuttalli]

ok, here's the deal. i just got an email this morning detailing a 5 week study abroad program in Italy this summer. up until this point, i was pretty positive that there was no way i could cram in a study abroad with my schedule and not severely delay my graduation. but not only will this be a summer opportunity, its also offering credit for the exact core requirement i need to fill! and then after 5 weeks, i'm back at school and able to take care of all my little buddies.

here's the deal, should I choose to go:
--I want out of the guppy business anyways, so I'll just not get replacement dithers when I sell them (that's 8 fish less than i was worried over)
--my boyfriend can be trusted to feed my fish, but he needs to do an internship this summer (probably out-of-town)
--i can probably move the pufferfish tank to my brother's apartment for closer monitoring
--i might be able to move the 10g (which at that point will be a betta tank) back to my parent's place

my big concern is that i won't be able to trust any of them about performing water changes. my tanks are fairly well planted, but 5 weeks plus travelling days is a very long time! i'm also a bit worried about the 60g because that's where my L200 plecs are kept; i don't know how regularly they'll get fed if my boyfriend leaves town for his internship.

so, just in terms of fishy logistics, what do you think?
(current tanks & stocking are listed in my profile)

 

[Bloo]

It's a no brainer really
I go on holiday back to South Africa for 4 - 5 weeks each year and my fish are absolutely fine !

Go for it !

 

[boozybears]

You're talking summer of 2006 right? For sure you should go!! It's an opportunity you might not get again.. plus you have 10 months to train a friend on the fine art of fishkeeping!

 

[Mr Miagi]

Deffinately study abroad. This is an opportunity that could benefit you in ways far more. Thats not too say fish are not important, but see if you can "teach" your parents etc whilst your living here now, and see how they go. Like a trial period. Give them the tank, see how they go, then improve their style if they havnt done a good enough job. Maybe your lfs would even take your fish for a weekly fee? Ask them

If push comes to shove, id sell the fish. An opportunity like this comes once, if at all. Go for it!

 

[paulioo]

There is no decision to make!!

Go to Italy. You can't let your fish ruin this once in a life time opportunity. Not only will it be a great experience but it will enhance your career prospects 10 fold.

Paul.

 

[SarahBravo]

What they said!! Italy is incredible, and it's an opportunity you just can't turn down. I went to Australia for almost 5 weeks last Christmas and left a novice in charge of my fish - no other choice. Although the water was green when I came back and there was more algae than plants, the fish were not only fine, but I had babies as well!

Fish are a lot tougher than you think.

Go to Italy!!!

 

[funkybodal]

Yeah go defo. Italy is truly amazing - where abouts are you planning to go and study?

 

[Fishist]

Yup... go!

 

[mellowserra]

Definitely go if you have the chance while you are still an undergrad. It will be a very enriching experience that will stay with you throughout your life. You will be finishing core requirements (big plus!), and you won't have to worry about the pressures of grad school or a demanding new career allowing you a leave of absence for this kind of leisure.

 

[laurasmithuk]

you only live once...... def go for it. i know i would jump at the chance even though i may have some doubts

 

[Discomafia]

Yea, definitely go for it! And like the rest said, it's an opportunity of a lifetime!

I was away on vacation for the summer for four months, spent two of them working for a national newspaper as a journalist... It was a chance to gain some very valuable experience in my chosen career, and I jumped at the opportunity to work for such an established and successful company.

I had one of my friends fill up my heavily planted 33 gallon, at the beginning of every month. Big algae outbreak, but two WCCMs that I didn't even know I had made it thru! Must have survived by eating the algae...

My tank wasn't filtrated, plus noone was feeding them, and I don't think my buddy dechlorinated the water he used to top up at the beginning of each month (June, July and August) either.

Many of us don't give our fishes enough credit. I'm sure with minimal stocking and medium planting of the tanks, plus less feeding, it's a very big possibilty your fishes could make it thru.

My only concern would be the L number plecos. If you're not confident that your parents/boyfriend can take care of them adequately, try asking an LFS you trust, or a fellow hobbyist, if they'll keep them for a while. (Acclimatising them to their new tanks will be the key, so do it when you're still around)

Failing that, try ask some fishkeeper you trust to come by and help you out. If you don't know any, then this is the chance to join your local aquarium society and meet some like-minded people.

If my fishes could survive for sixteen weeks, without filtration, dechorinated water, or food, I'm sure yours won't do so bad for five weeks.

Best of luck!

 

[ncjharris]

Looks like its a done deal.

Better start packing!

Bring us back a pizza or ten. Oh, and some nastro please!

Good Luck!

 

[jacblades]

if you cant find anyone else, i can set up a tank and take care of your L200s. you would have to verse me in their care, though as i have never had any before

 

[pica_nuttalli]

Looks like its a done deal.

Better start packing!

Bring us back a pizza or ten. Oh, and some nastro please!

Good Luck!

[snapback]915628[/snapback]​

lol! i've still got to scrounge up some moolah first!

the whole event is still just speculative and incredibly expensive, so i'm going to have to do some serious justification before i can make any other decisions. i just wanted to figure out how the fish might figure into the equation. i'm not decided either way yet, but you guys have definitely lifted one big concern for me.

thanks for all the encouragement; i'll let you know about the final outcome.

--EDIT--
i really appreciate the offer, Jacblades. L200s don't really seem to be much more complicated than any other psuedo-territorial pleco; i'm mostly just concerned because they cost an arm and a leg.

 

[GuppyDude]

you definately should go to italy, the fish will be just fine in teh care of ur boyfriend, theres no way you can miss out on an opertunity like this, you better bring back pics too