How to take care of fish while away for a week

[Rtc/tsn]

I’m leaving today to go camping for a week or so and wondering if anyone has any advice on what to do for my tanks before I leave. My sister will be home all of the time unless she’s at work or with friends but I don’t trust her to take care of my fish for over 2 days… last time she took care of the tanks there was algae everywhere and you could hardly see fish because the water was so cloudy from overfeeding so much.

 

[Rocksor]

Do a large water change the day before leaving.
Lock up all the fish food so the fish doesn't eat until you get back.

 

[esoxlucius]

Do a large water change the day before leaving.
Lock up all the fish food so the fish doesn't eat until you get back.

This......and after last time, lock up your sister until you get back too!

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Do a large water change the day before leaving.
Lock up all the fish food so the fish doesn't eat until you get back.

Should I lower temps a bit to slow metabolism so there’s less waste? I could just keep heater off while I’m gone. It could be up to 2 weeks. Would a 50% be a good size water change

 

[Rocksor]

Should I lower temps a bit to slow metabolism so there’s less waste? I could just keep heater off while I’m gone. It could be up to 2 weeks. Would a 50% be a good size water change

No do not mess with anything that is working before you leave.

Change more than 50%.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

No do not mess with anything that is working before you leave.

Change more than 50%.

What size wc do you suggest?

 

[Rocksor]

What size wc do you suggest?

You could do 80% the day before you leave, or split it up across 2 days before you leave.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

You could do 80% the day before you leave, or split it up across 2 days before you leave.

I’m leaving today around 4 or 5pm so only a couple hours

 

[esoxlucius]

You could do 80% the day before you leave, or split it up across 2 days before you leave.

He's leaving today.

I agree with a larger water change than 50%. Preferably one that's basically going to leave you with 0ppm nitrate, or there abouts. If you are stretching this camping trip out to two weeks I would try and arrange a feed at some point around the half way mark.

How you do that with what happened last time you'll have to figure that one out.

 

[robmcd]

I pre measure small amounts of food for each of my tanks, and have them in labeled Altoid tins (the Altoid small mints) with the day of the week on them. That way, whoever is feeding my fish simply opens up the tin and dumps it in the tank. When I am gone, I schedule them to be fed every other day. I have left for as long as 2 weeks and everything has been fine upon my return.