My dilemma

[Bertie07]

so in the summer I will be going on a 3 week holiday and have no one to take care of my fish. I could possibly get the neighbors to feed them but I won’t be able to do water changes. Will my fish be ok for that time without water changes. The tank is a 6’ 130 gallon and the stocking will be 1 chocolate cichlid, 4-5 geophagus abalios, 6 clown loaches (most small from 2” - 4”), and 3 pictus catfish. I have will sell other fish to keep my stocking lower. Are there any way to keep my nitrates down for that time. I will make sure they aren’t fed a lot so waste is little but the main question is will my fish survive

 

[Gourami Swami]

Yes, fish are resilient, yours should be fine in my opinion. Not great to do and definitely wouldn't make a habit of it, but just do a big water change before you leave and a big one when you get back.

 

[Bertie07]

Ok that’s good to know thanks

 

[troublesum]

i just left my Midas alone for 2 weeks no food no WC when i got back he was shy for about 30 minutes then he went crazy for his pellets over feed that morning that night do like a 80% WC you should be good

 

[dan518]

If your away for 3 weeks i would do a smaller water change when you return about 25% for the first two days then go back to your normal routine.

 

[Bertie07]

If your away for 3 weeks i would do a smaller water change when you return about 25% for the first two days then go back to your normal routine.

Why would you do two smaller water changes instead of a big one?

 

[squint]

Your pH would crash long before your nitrates reached toxic levels. If you have hard water you should be fine for 3 weeks...

 

[dan518]

As above, your pH and tds could drop over a 3 week period where a large water change would shock the fish.

 

[Bertie07]

Ok, my water is around 7 out of the tap

 

[Galantspeedz]

easy.. do a test of 3 weeks now and see what happens...