Tell me if I'm strange..

[skjl47]

Hello; Hiring neighbors, writing out lengthly instructions, parcing food into small bags, setting up remote video feeds and the other things mentioned so far are not necessary in my experience for short away trips.
A healthy tank of fish can be left without food for a week or so without any issues. I have done it many times and from previous threads on vacations, it seems that many others have as well. A common tone of advice on this forum is to simply not have anyone feed fish when you are gone for several days. Do check some past threads. Not sure why the members that often post this way are being quiet on this thread. Many have posted in the past that they do not arrange for feeding while away for short times.
There are a few exceptions. One that comes to mind is newly hatched fry. In these cases frequent feeding can make a big difference.
Perhaps it is the word "strange" that makes it awkward for others to comment. Taking that verbage away might help. It is not necessary to do all these things when away for only a few days for most established tank.
In the end we each get to run our tanks any way we want and I guess that includes worrying at whatever level a person is compelled to as well. It would seem to take much of the pleasure out of the hobby.

 

[Inglorious]

I agree with skjl47, if the trip is for only 3-4 days or less than it's not necessary to feed. Think about how long they go without eating before and during the shipping process, or even in the wild. When I'm gone on shorter trips like that I just feed right before I head out the door and place a couple pieces of zucchini in the tank for them to snack on. They may miss their NLS but won't starve to death. The same thing goes for the cats, they don't get their supplemental canned food but have a big bowl of dry to keep them from going hungry.

 

[petspoiler]

I've decided there's one sure way to guarantee that my husband won't overfeed when I'm gone.
Board him.

 

[BODYDUB]

Happens to me all the time when I'm away, my Discus are in the back of my mind and I find myself looking forward to the day I get back home.....Then when we do return, I'm always a little scared as I walk in and the first thing I do is check on my tank!