Vacation advice

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M

Mythic Figment

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 27, 2012
2,117
2
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Florida
So I will be out of town for 9 days at the end of July and need some advice. I have been on vacations for 4-5 days and normally do a heavy feeding 36 hours before departing and then stop feeding. I then do a large 75% water change within 12 hours of departing (usually just a few hours before leaving). I haven't lost a fish yet (knock on wood).

My stock is as follows:
125 stock is:
- two 4.5" super red severums
- six 3-3.5" geophagus red head tapajos
- possibly four festivum in the 3-4" range (dealer has been working in getting me some and thinks she will have four for me this upcoming Monday)

55 stock is:
- 23 neon tetras
- one 3-4" EBJD (dealer is getting me one in on Monday)

So my main concern is feedings with mostly juvenile fish. Can they last that long without food?

I may have a friend who can help out a little by feeding a couple of small meals so they only have to go for 2-3 days without food rather than 9 straight. How bad would 3-4 small meals be on water quality (I normally do two 30% water changes every week)? The fish normally get fed two daily meals in fairly small portions.


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Clear instructions and pre-portioned meals are the key to having a friend take care of your fish while away, IMO, and that friend being a fish keeper doesn't hurt. 9 days of limited feeding shouldn't be a problem for water parameters. If your friend can come feed the fish every third day that should be adequate.
 
I have been on many vacations, and the only time I had any significant death, is when I had an amateur feed my fish. Although I left specific instruction, they were overfed, leading to degraded water quality (so bad that I could smell the death and bad water the instant I opened the door).
 
9 days is a little long without feeding. I'd have someone come in every third day for a light feeding.

It doesn't need to be an experienced aquarist...just someone who can dependably follow instructions. Make it easy: put feedings in a baggy and label them with the date and tank. Ask them to look for dead fish or anything stinky and call or email if there's a problem.

I think that the JD will find his own food in the tank full on neons, fed every third day or otherwise ;)

Matt

duanes said:
I have been on many vacations, and the only time I had any significant death, is when I had an amateur feed my fish. Although I left specific instruction, they were overfed, leading to degraded water quality (so bad that I could smell the death and bad water the instant I opened the door).
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Thanks guys. I will see what I can do about getting my friend to swing by every third day.

As far as the EBJD eating the neons....at least it will be well fed. LOL These neons are huge though. 1.5" and he is being reported as 3-4" (and warehouses/fish stores tend to make them bigger than they really are IME).


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duanes said:
I have been on many vacations, and the only time I had any significant death, is when I had an amateur feed my fish. Although I left specific instruction, they were overfed, leading to degraded water quality (so bad that I could smell the death and bad water the instant I opened the door).
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Hello; I have to agree with this. In over 50 years of keeping fish I have only lost fish when someone tried to be helpful and feed the fish while I was gone. ( I had not asked for this, they thought it was a nice thing to do. Lost all fish in two tanks.)

Nine days is within reason for most all fish except perhaps small fry. Juvenile fish should be alright if well fed prior to leaving.
I usually feed on the days prior to leaving including the last day.

A water change and a clean filter system will be a benefit. I keep lights on a timer on on a day to day basis so that does not change.

I have used automatic feeders with good results when I had to be away on a regular basis for a couple of years. Gone monday thru friday each week. The auto feeders can work well but need to be set up a week or two in advance to be sure that the problems are worked out. I had one dump food onto the cover and had to work out a dry food mix that flowed peoperly in the machine. It can take a few days to regulate the amount of food as well. Once the issues were addressed, the feeders worked well. The bateries would last up to three months as I discovered after I was home for good and had allowed one to continue in operationfor some time.

good luck
 
I agree that nine days your fish will be fine unless you have anything that you think will be too aggressive when its hungry. I also had a friend kill a lot of my fish when I was away, so make sure that you make up packages if your friend feeds your fish, also leave a net out just in case something dies and he or she does not leave any dead fish in your tank to foul your water.Have a great trip and dont worry about your fish
 
houie925 said:
Clear instructions and pre-portioned meals are the key to having a friend take care of your fish while away, IMO, and that friend being a fish keeper doesn't hurt. 9 days of limited feeding shouldn't be a problem for water parameters. If your friend can come feed the fish every third day that should be adequate.
Click to expand...

This, I do this I leave instructions, pre packed food labeled for which days to feed which tanks, how to feed it (as in if there is some left and the fish are not eating anymore then don't feed the rest), etc. If you have it done right your fish will be fine. That way you don't have to worry about over feeding and what that food is doing to the water chemistry. If you do this you should be fine.
 
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