Weekend feeder or let 'em be?

[GrullaQuarters]

We are going to be gone for 4 days. I was at the pet store this afternoon, not the same one where I normally get my fish supplies, however I needed horse supplies too, and this one has it all. I couldn't find any weekend-type feeders, so I asked a woman who was stocking the shelves. She said they did have them, but she wouldnt' recommend them, as they tend to be more trouble than their worth. Fish don't eat 'em, they cloud and just pollute the water, etc etc. I used one once, and the fish ate it fine...however it wasn't a time where I tested my water. She said that fish can go a couple of WEEKS without eating as long as their healthy. She asked what I had in my tank, and I told her. She advised just to feed them well, maybe several small meals the day before we go, and again the shortly before we leave. She said turn the heater down a little bit, and leave the light off.

I just wanted to get opinions here. I didn't buy one then, but can fish really go a couple of WEEKS with no food?

 

[Paul_MTS]

your fish should be fine for that time.

the onnly thing i don't agree with is that you shouldn't feed the fish up to much as then straving for 4 days will be a shock.

instead you should drop feeding a bit, missing 1 day then 2 days then 3 and your fish will then be reaqdy for the 4 days.

give them 1 last feed before you go and a water change and you should be fine. turning the temp down a bit could help aswell as it will slow them down.

 

[GrullaQuarters]

Hmmm, thank you for the input.

I hope I won't shock them then too much, as we're leaving on Thursday...so I won't have time to work them up to 4 days w/o food. Actually, I would be able to feed them Thursday early AM before we leave, and then feed them again on Sunday late afternoon when we get back, so it would really only be Thursday and Friday that they wouldn't have anything to eat unless I got them a weekend feeder.

 

[Blue Lobster]

Have you considered one of these? I have used them for up to a week. Do a water change the day before and hook one of these up.

You have to play with the setting to get it to dispense the amount you normally feed your fish. It dispenses 2X a day in 12 hour incriments.

http/www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseac.../10355/cid/2519

 

[Synirr]

The thing Blue Lobster mentioned is a cool device, but I'd be careful about using them... I saw some guy returning one to my LFS because water from the tank evaporated into it and got the food wet... and of course, the wet food grew fungus and essentially deteriorated into a gross wad of decaying matter.

Your fish ought to be just fine for 4 days. I never worry about getting mine a weekend feeder or anything when I leave for a couple of days, and they're always great (albeit happier than usual to see me) when I get home

 

[GrullaQuarters]

The feeder reccommended above...does that go IN the water? Because our tank is completely enclosed....not open on top.

However if they will be fine...I'll just let them go. I may call one more store and see what they reccommend......

Thanks!

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

you can leave your fish for more than a week without food and have no problems. the tank will be cleaner too as they will be searching for food!!

 

[CTS]

i'v left my fish formore then 4 days and they were fine. and aberdeen aquarist your right the tank was super clean.

 

[Fishy411]

if im going away for more than a weekewnd i will break a weekend feeder in half and plop it in. The fish seem to like it adn iut doesnt mes sup my water. I do Wc's befor and after im gone.

 

[Nidge]

Feed them as normal before you go away- dont under or over feed then go away and when you come back your fish will be just fine and as someone else said your tank will be clean when you come back. I have done this many times without problems.

 

[BettaMomma]

Ang - I know we've never met personally, but I'd be happy to swing out and feed your beauties anytime. I live in Middleton so it's only a few minutes away.

Like I said, we haven't met yet and if you're not comfortable with me going to your place while you're gone I'd totally understand, but I would do it!

 

[GrullaQuarters]

Thanks BettaMomma, do you do horses too?? LOL
I was afraid of leaving my cats for that long without anyone around too...so I actually am getting my brother in law to stop by Friday and Saturday....so sounds like my problem will be solved! Was just going to give them an extra litter box, and one of those 'gravity' kitty feeders I have....but sounds like they'll be all set. If you can't tell, we just don't GO places....EVER! Heck, we didn't even do a honeymoon 5 years ago...just seems like so much work trying to find people to take care of all the critters for us! The dog, the cats/fish, and the horses are all being taken care of by different people! He's coming over tomorrow to get 'directions'.....so we'll just keep him from feeding too much!

 

[The-Wolf]

I'd just like to say th theses weekendfeder blocks ae 90% chalk 5% ash 4% other stuff and only 1% food;
this will a have huge effect on your water parameters.
IMHO they should be banned from sale.

 

[freddyk]

Most peoples fish would probably benefit from a few days without food. I turn down the heat in the tank (slows the metabolism) and will leave them without food for a week or two without thinking twice - I don't trust anyone to feed them. I get someone to come in a couple of times anyway, to make sure there are no dead ones, but that's about it. Fish are cold blooded, and can go very long periods without food, just like most cold blooded creatures.

 

[Blue Lobster]

The thing Blue Lobster mentioned is a cool device, but I'd be careful about using them... I saw some guy returning one to my LFS because water from the tank evaporated into it and got the food wet... and of course, the wet food grew fungus and essentially deteriorated into a gross wad of decaying matter.

Your fish ought to be just fine for 4 days. I never worry about getting mine a weekend feeder or anything when I leave for a couple of days, and they're always great (albeit happier than usual to see me) when I get home

Yeah, that happened with the flake food once, got kinda wet so I only use it with tropical crumbles and shrimp pellets. Those seem to absorb the water at a slower rate.


Grulla, just leave little paper cups with pre-measured food for you Bro-in-law to drop in the tank when he comes by.

But like most said, don't sweat it just drop the temp and have fun on your trip.