Leaving for trip

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I was once away for up to 3 weeks. The person I tasked to help never did anything. My fish were ok. I'm more concerned with power outages (my apt block has issues with lighting strikes) and the sump running dry from evaporation.

I'd rather not let someone that is clueless, have their own mind or DGAF take care of my fish, they can starve a couple of weeks.
Years back I used to have fancy goldfish and travelled for work at one time. I told my mum not to bother with my fish but she poured the whole can of food in because the fish looked hungry and I had been away for 5 days.
 
skjl47 said:
Hello; Let me be more clear in my opinion. The feeding of healthy fish for up to two weeks is not necessary. Fish are not like us and can go that long. With no feeding the tank water quality stays more stable during the time. I first began to notice a few decades ago that my tanks looked better and had better water quality after I had been gone for a few days. I slowly realized I was guilty of overfeeding and began to change my feeding practice. I now feed lightly with two or three fasting days each week. But to each his/her own way.

The Oscar tank is fairly large and the Oscar is not big so that is another factor tending in my opinion that the likely better course is to not have an inexperienced person fool with a tank . My opinion is based on experience but the way I see things is just that. My only other question remaining is the experience of the person coming in.
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I agree on your points as there valid.

This is more for my own knowledge. Have you experienced more aggression with the lack of food for an extended period of time? A lot of folks on here keep aggressive species. I put conservative portions out on trips not just maintain health and immune system but to alleviate hunger stress which in turn creates an aggressive response.
 
Nm1 said:
I agree on your points as there valid.

This is more for my own knowledge. Have you experienced more aggression with the lack of food for an extended period of time? A lot of folks on here keep aggressive species. I put conservative portions out on trips not just maintain health and immune system but to alleviate hunger stress which in turn creates an aggressive response.
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Hello; hard to say since I was away and could not observe directly. My guess in if say the OP's Oscar was bigger enough so that it could swallow any other fish then it may give such a go. That may happen anyway even if the fish are fed on a regular basis. My guess is some of the catfish with bigger mouths are just as likely. Knew a fellow who got a spotted catfish (pimlodella I think) (sp) and it wiped out most of his other fish in a couple of days.
Predatory fish to me are more likely to act like predators if hungry enough. They are also somewhat likely to act like predators most any time regardless. I have seen fish in a tank where one was big enough to swallow others but did not. I always suspect the smaller fish may know the score and take precautions as best it can.
My take on schooling fish has evolved a bit overtime . I had a tank with 40 + neon tetras who mostly swam at random and only schooled when disturbed.
I had a tank with a lot of zebra dainoes who did the same until I added ten tiger barbs. Even tho the tigers had no interest in the zebras, the zebras sure seemed to school a lot more. Could be wrong about this tho.
 
Do a couple heavy water changes before you leave, reduce feeding and temperature in the tanks leading up to the trips. Don't have anyone feed them while you're gone. Adding an air stone or other air powered filter is not a bad idea.
 
Not a problem not feeding for 9 days. Do a large 90% water change the day before. You can feed very lightly the day you leave. Temp at 75f will be fine.
 
I've gone away on trips for many times from around 9 - 14 days, the only time I had any problems is when I asked someone to feed. That time I came back to smelly house and lots of dead fish, after that experience no more food, no one doing any water changes, and everything was always fine when I came back. Although inexperienced people may have the best intentions, those intentions are often wrong.
 
I have also been apprehensive about vacations. Not just for the feeding and water quality but also the sumps, pumps etc. Lots of people have told stories of friends killing their fish. Usually it's the feeding.
I think it's fine if someone comes by to observe. At least you know pretty much what is going on by talking to them.
But as Nm1 mentioned about professionals, it would at least be nice to have a backup plan. Maybe a visit or 2.
Personally, I found a local guy who installs aquariums and has a local fish store. They do aquarium maintenance and he doesn't charge an arm and a leg.
I know a lot of people at MFK think this is all a waste of money and not needed. To me it is peace of mind. Expensive? Maybe, but will it help you enjoy your vacation?
 
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LBDave said:
I have also been apprehensive about vacations. Not just for the feeding and water quality but also the sumps, pumps etc. Lots of people have told stories of friends killing their fish. Usually it's the feeding.
I think it's fine if someone comes by to observe. At least you know pretty much what is going on by talking to them.
But as Nm1 mentioned about professionals, it would at least be nice to have a backup plan. Maybe a visit or 2.
Personally, I found a local guy who installs aquariums and has a local fish store. They do aquarium maintenance and he doesn't charge an arm and a leg.
I know a lot of people at MFK think this is all a waste of money and not needed. To me it is peace of mind. Expensive? Maybe, but will it help you enjoy your vacation?
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Peace of mind has the highest ROI.
 
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