Making tanks low-care.

[Eupterus]

Trying to make my tanks lower care. Bit of an ongoing project.What would be good filter choices and autofeeders to use?.
Looking at a hopeful prospect of when I finish my massage degree I may take off with my instructor for a month.
I can get my parents to check my fish, though the more self contained things are, the better.

Wish to keep up the following tanks:
30 gal- whisper internal filter
55 gal- aquaball internal filter
150 gal. ?.

Canister filter was leaking, could have drained my tank.
Power filters have burned out during power outtages.
I've been switching over to internal filters when I go off since they seem safest from stuff happening. Problem is I cannot find one rated for a larger tank/100+ to put in my 150 gal. The largest internal filters seem rated for a 50 gal tank.

I don't get outbid, getting a really good deal on a fluval 4.
I could put that in my 55 and move the aquaball into my 30 ( but I think it may be too powerful for my bettas and kuhli loaches). So I'll probably keep both of them in the 55 gal.

As for autofeeders, would like models that would hold enough food for a month and have seperate compartments. One feeding a day is fine.
i have a model that I like a lot already, but only holds two weeks worth of food.

 

[nolapete]

I'd avoid the internal filters and switch over to pond sponge filters with a good powerhead.

check Aquatic Ecosystems www.aquaticeco.com for aquaculture feeders as opposed to aquarium feeders. They have both. http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings.subsections/sid/31

 

[fishdance]

The easiest way to have low maintence tanks is to have low stocking rates. I would advise against auto feeders since there are too many things that might go wrong and feeding is the best way to monitor fish and health. If your going away for a month, I would put food into empty 35mm film canisters or have seperate ziplock bags clearly labelled by day. Fish only need feeding twice or three times a week if its just a month away and its much harder for people to overfeed if you measure portions out for them.

With regards to low maintenance filters I use an overhead trickle on larger tanks. Powerhead inside the tank pumps up to the filter which is above the tank so any possible leakage would go back into the tank. Any pump problems mean water flow stops so it would be soon noticed and the filter is above the tank so access is simple and so fast and easy to clean.

Having an emergency number to an experienced fish keeping friend nearby would also make life easier for everyone.

 

[Ianab]

Problem is I cannot find one rated for a larger tank/100+ to put in my 150 gal.

No reason you cant put 2 of them in there, or use one AND some sponge filters.

But the best way to cut down maintainance is to cut down the number of fish. Sell or give away a few of your least favourite ones, then your tank can go longer between water changes and filter cleaning.

Cheers

Ian