My dilemma
- Thread starter Bertie07
- Start date
pH is fairly well correlated with kH. You might want to have whoever's feeding add a little baking soda to maintain pH. Mine starts at 8.1 but I have to add 1.5-2.5 g of bicarbonate everyday or it will drop below 7 within 1-2 weeks. At my previous place, pH was ~8.3 but wouldn't budge even if I went weeks without a water change.
I also agree that you should take it easy when you return. You don't want to do a huge water change or let them pig out. Ease back into things.
I also agree that you should take it easy when you return. You don't want to do a huge water change or let them pig out. Ease back into things.
You should do the above.
Last year I left the fish for two weeks. unattended. I did a test prior where I fed with the fish feeder as well. It worked so well, I had the fish feeder for a couple of months afterwards out of laziness
The fish appeared unfazed by the experience when I came back. I did my usual water large water changes afterwards. I have hard water, my tank is not overstocked so a pH change due to pollution over such period of time is highly unlikely. The TDS rises but that's expected without water change for so long....
This year I am going for 3 weeks so I am a lot more worried. But I already did a test, mainly to see where water level go as my tank is open and suffers from evaporation.
I normally make sure the water quality is spotless before I go and I do a water change at least one day before I leave to make sure I haven't forgotten to plug or connect stuff
One shouldn't go all nuts in cleaning filters, etc....Do that well in advance of departure to make sure all is in order for a while before leaving the fish. Same as yourself, I am yet to find out what happens over three weeks but I think it should be ok.
