Vacation Feeding??

[JayK1320]

Okay, so it is not really a vacation, but I will be away from home for 9 days. My question is do you think the fish will be okay with out being fed for that long? I had decreased the amount of food I gave them each day for a few days and then fed them a little bit last night before bed. I also turned down the heater a bit, in an effort to slow their metabolism a bit.

All the fish in there are still pretty small, maybe the largest at 3", 3 peacocks, 2 yellow labs and a jewel.

I had a little bit of algae as well so I decided to take advantage of my time not there and cover the tank with a blanket to try out the theory of no light=dead algae.

So what are the feelings on this? Will the be okay? I just recently moved into a new place and I dont really want to trust my new roommate with feeding my fish...so the tank is covered, heat is down around 72-75, and I decreased to amount of food over the last few days to prep them for my time away.

 

[bigspizz]

If anything, ask him to feed them 1 time.....right in the middle...

 

[jcardona1]

i think theyll be fine w/o food, id just do a big water change before you leave

 

[JayK1320]

yup, did a WC and everything as well. I was considering asking my roomie to feed once like next Wednesday, but if they feed a ton I am afraid of the fish eating too much. I know you need to bring them back up to their normal food level slowly so as to not expand their stomachs to much when they have not been eating much.

I figure with the tank completely covered they will probably be less active as well. I think I will just give it a shot, unless someone has serious objections to 9 days w/o food.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

i'd rather have them go the time without feeding, because otherwise you have to worry about who will be doing the feeding without you around, and unless it someone who is also a fishkeeper, I wouldn't even consider it

 

[kiLLz kC]

grab a couple "5 day feeder" blocks from petsmart and call it a day. they'll pick at that when they want and it doesn't disolve or rot like prepared foods. if they're still small, try that.

 

[JayK1320]

i'd rather have them go the time without feeding, because otherwise you have to worry about who will be doing the feeding without you around, and unless it someone who is also a fishkeeper, I wouldn't even consider it

Exactly, my g/f I would actually trust to do it because she only does what I say and she makes sure I show her exactly how and what to do first. But this is a new roommate that does not have fish, has never seen me take care of them or feed them and I don't think ever has had fish. Last thing I need is for her to feed the fish and think its cool and then go way over board. This would be devistating...

 

[JayK1320]

grab a couple "5 day feeder" blocks from petsmart and call it a day. they'll pick at that when they want and it doesn't disolve or rot like prepared foods. if they're still small, try that.

Problem is I am already gone, I need to either not feed them, have my roommate feed them. Or some how arrange my girl friend to go over and do something for the fish.

Like I have said, not real comfortable with the new roomie doing it. The g/f does not have keys and I am being picked up in 15-20 minutes to head to the airport from my office.

Stupid new place doesnt have internet so I couldnt get on here earlier, I never even thought of the 5 day feeder block. That would have worked great I bet...

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

If thats the case then don't have anyone feed them, especially a roommate that doesn't know the way you are with your fishes. Me personally, I would trust my wife to feed my fish because she is a fish nerd too.

 

[snakeheader]

just buy an automatic feeder for 10 bucks