2 week vacation with fish

I have 12 tanks and am going on vacation for 2 weeks, so far no one will be able to feed them during that time. What would the protical for a situation like this be? I wont leave a vacation feeder because it pollutes the water to quickly.

 

I left for a week and used a timer feeder. Everything was good, but it seems like an green spot algae bloom took off when the nitrates spiked due to no water changes.

First thing I did was change the water when I got home (25%) and again the next morning (25%).

Two weeks seems unfair to the fish and irresponsible. You have to do something or your risking all your fish. I'm not an expert, but I wouldn't do it.

 

I have 2 tanks with automatic feeders that I use most every day. I’ll close it when I’m home and want to feed something different say frozen food. Otherwise it’s my go to feed system, we have a permanent camping site so summer I’m there 3 to 4 days a week and I don’t have an algae problem. You can’t have them wide open just drop enough for a couple minutes of eating. Do a water change before you leave and when you get home they should be fine.

 

Two weeks seems unfair to the fish and irresponsible. You have to do something or your risking all your fish. I'm not an expert, but I wouldn't do it.

I understand some may see it as irresponsible and cruel. I dont have a choice if I want to go its a family matter. I'm always trying to do what's best for my fish,hence the post. Where did you get your automatic feeder? If I can buy one for my 36 and 20 gallon tanks I think I should be ok? My bettas might not like it but they can go a little while without food.

 

I understand some may see it as irresponsible and cruel. I dont have a choice if I want to go its a family matter. I'm always trying to do what's best for my fish,hence the post. Where did you get your automatic feeder? If I can buy one for my 36 and 20 gallon tanks I think I should be ok? My bettas might not like it but they can go a little while without food.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YK5W18?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

The pellets stuck to it some...not all made it into the tank. My betta wasn't thin after a week of light feedings he had while I was away. No issues, but I wondered if he would be alive when I got home. Less than ideal for sure.

 

I have Ehime feeders sold through Amazon, I do 2 feedings a day with no issues

 

I have 2 tanks with automatic feeders that I use most every day. I’ll close it when I’m home and want to feed something different say frozen food. Otherwise it’s my go to feed system, we have a permanent camping site so summer I’m there 3 to 4 days a week and I don’t Ahave an algae problem. You can’t have them wide open just drop enough for a couple minutes of eating. Do a water change before you leave and when you get home they should be fine.

Maybe tank size plays a part. My 2.5 needs greater percentage water changes and more frequent. A bigger tank might be able to get by with longer stretches of neglect.

I've never lost a fish due to neglect. I lost fish because of ignorance.

 

Maybe tank size plays a part.

Yes it plays a major part,bigger tank with less stocking=not as many water changes. 2.5 gallon tanks are generally not recommended because its not a lot of water therefore is polluted quicker. Out of curiousity why would you call it "neglect" because not doing water changes every day or week isint neglect, it all depends on stocking and the amount of ammonia,nitrite,nitrate biuld up.

 

Low stocking with a lot of plants good filter, my ammonia and nitrites are always 0 and nitrates are usually 10. My tanks are 35 and 15 so I alternate I’ll do 1 one week and the other the next it’s mostly for rinsing the filter media in the old tank water.

 

I have 12 tanks so I do water changes almost every week,but the tanks get bi weekly water changes. TBH i have lots of live plants in one of them and its very low matinence, could probally go a month with out a water change.

Low stocking with a lot of plants good filter, my ammonia and nitrites are always 0 and nitrates are usually 10. My tanks are 35 and 15 so I alternate I’ll do 1 one week and the other the next it’s mostly for rinsing the filter media in the old tank water

 

Fish Mate F14 Aquarium Fish Feeder​

You can add as little or as much of any type of food, it runs for 14 days. Amazon has them. I know it would be a lot if you have to buy 12 of them, but I would not want to leave my tanks unfed for more then one week.

 

Fish Mate F14 Aquarium Fish Feeder​

You can add as little or as much of any type of food, it runs for 14 days. Amazon has them. I know it would be a lot if you have to buy 12 of them, but I would not want to leave my tanks unfed for more then one week.

Its not ideal but what if I used a feeder cone and filled it with fish food? Or white worms?

 

Ive never left my tropical communtiy fish tanks without food for more then around 10 days and they were fine, just a bit skinny, give them a good feed before and after the trip. My goldfish pond 850gal has been left up to 1.5months without food fish can survive a long time without food, depends on how many fish you have and what their species are they may start eating algae and plants while your gone.

 

depends on how many fish you have and what their species are they may start eating algae and plants while your gone.

Mostly omnviors(bettas,khuli loaches,gourami,bolivian ram,tetra,killifish,shell dweller,ottos,cory catfish) I have a peapuffer but I figured I could just put a bunch of snails in? This is spread out between 12 tanks.

 

Its not ideal but what if I used a feeder cone and filled it with fish food? Or white worms?

Your fish would gorge themselves on the food in the cone, leftovers and poo will pollute the tanks and it will have the remaning 13 days to stew up a lot of mess. If you are like me you wont be up to cleaning the first day you get home, so take that into acount as well. I suggest that you look up pet sitters in your area, but you would end up spending the same if not more money as the auto feeders. and at least with the feeders you would have them for the next times.

 

Mostly omnviors(bettas,khuli loaches,gourami,bolivian ram,tetra,killifish,shell dweller,ottos,cory catfish) I have a peapuffer but I figured I could just put a bunch of snails in? This is spread out between 12 tanks.

ok lots of varity in fish species

sounds like a great plan for the peapuffer maybe add a 2-3 algae wafers and veg or something like that for the otos, cory and khuli, and the other give them a good fishy feed. Not really sure what other options you have apart from risking it, buying 12 auto feeders or perhaps a trusted neighbour/cousin/nearby friend could maybe even just feed every 3-4days???

 

ok lots of varity in fish species

sounds like a great plan for the peapuffer maybe add a 2-3 algae wafers and veg or something like that for the otos, cory and khuli, and the other give them a good fishy feed. Not really sure what other options you have apart from risking it, buying 12 auto feeders or perhaps a trusted neighbour/cousin/nearby friend could maybe even just feed every 3-4days???

I managed to get a cousin of mine to take care of them(unless they flake) now the problem is they dont know anything about fish and last time they watched my fish,the tank was super disguting(they gave into my fish begging for food) Heres my plan

Monday-Feed tanks
Wednseday-Feed
Friday-Feed
They normally get fed every other day. will there be any problems with this? I was hoping to mabye even just have them come in Monay and friday or should I stick with three days?

 

A good idea is to put the amount of food you want to be feed each day into ziplock bags and your cousin will just open it and empty the food into tank, tell then not to remove or add any extra food, the mon, wed, fri schedule for feeding sounds fine to me. Best of luck.

 

You can get a weekly or monthly medicine pill case, put the food in the slots, put one on each tank, they are cheep.