Fish Care Whilst On Vacation

In mid October I'm going on holiday for 12 days (technically 13 with flights). I have 3 tanks and one small pond that I need to prepare before I go away. On previous trips like this I've left the pond (a 20 gallon tub) to it's own devices, I just give a good vacuum before leaving, feed the fish (8x WCMM) in the morning and repeat when I return. For my 2 betta tanks (each 9 gallons and home to 1 betta, 1 tank also has red cherry shrimp) I do a large water change and set up my 2 automatic feeders (this type ) to feed only 3 pellets once a day. I've had great success with this feeder, the only issue being is it didn't drop food due to condensation once. I also set the lights tank lights on a timer.

Since my last extended trip I've set up a third tank (18 gallons) which is currently home to 2 adult and 4 juvenile platies, and some red cherry shrimp. The juveniles are no longer big enough for the adults to eat so they will be OK in that regard. I don't have a third feeder and I don't really want to buy another if I don't have to. My plan for this tank is the same as the others, a large water change before leaving, lights on timers and another large water change the day we get back. I'm just not sure if I should sacrifice a feeder from one of my betta's tanks for this tank? Will the platies be OK for 12 days without any food? I wouldn't mind if they nibbled on plants or even the shrimp whilst I'm away but I'm not sure if they would do this?

I understand 12 days without a water change is pushing it but I'm hoping with the large water changes beforehand and reduced/no feeding that everything will survive. I could ask a friend to stop in but frankly I don't really have any friends I'd trust/burden with doing water changes on 3 tanks, I'd just ask them to check that everything is running instead. Maybe I could not set up the feeders and ask a friend to stop in once or twice whilst we are away to bring in the mail and feed the fish? That way they would get at least 2 feedings in the 12 days (I'd leave piles of food out so they wouldn't be over fed). Thoughts?

 

If you do have someone else feed your fish those weekly medicine boxes. The ones that have a spot for each day can be used so they know how much to feed your fish.

 

If you do have someone else feed your fish those weekly medicine boxes. The ones that have a spot for each day can be used so they know how much to feed your fish.

Thanks, unfortunately I don't have anyone that could come in every day as all of my friends here have kids and/or live quite far away. At the most someone could come in twice but most likely only once. I have one friend that looked after my fish when I was away for a month once, but that was only a single betta and she only changed the water once and topped up the feeder, I wouldn't feel right asking her to do that with 3 tanks!

 

Thanks, unfortunately I don't have anyone that could come in every day as all of my friends here have kids and/or live quite far away. At the most someone could come in twice but most likely only once. I have one friend that looked after my fish when I was away for a month once, but that was only a single betta and she only changed the water once and topped up the feeder, I wouldn't feel right asking her to do that with 3 tanks!

I would help out, but the Whitsundays is a bit too far away from Melbourne, haha. Although we do have direct flights there now

 

I would help out, but the Whitsundays is a bit too far away from Melbourne, haha. Although we do have direct flights there now

Haha thanks for the offer!

I think my best bet might just be to leave the fish without feeding them at all, that way there's nothing going into the water to foul it. I feel a bit guilty about starving them for 12 days but they *should* survive shouldn't they? I plan to only feed them small amounts for the first couple of days after we get back, just so they don't get bloated.

 

They should be ok for 12 days. You can get automatic feeders which will dispense food for them. Not sure of cost though. Just make sure they get a water change before you leave and a larger one when you get back home

 

I never like leaving mine for more than a week unfed. If you could get someone there even once I'd measure a small amount out and have it waiting for them... But that said, honestly they'd probably be alright for the time you're away, I'd leave lights out or if it's planted set a 4 hour period for lights but off the rest. Keeping them darker helps I never have lights on when I'm out of town... Although I've gotten some picker plants this year so my next long trip may get that particular tank a timer next time.

 

Fish in general usually don't use much energy because they are cold blooded. They require less for because of this. 2 weeks is probably too much for the fish to take. If it's possible, somebody can come and feed your fish a bit of food every 3-4 days. The fish won't like the lack of food, but they will survive. ,a ye you can train your fish by gradually feeding less until your trip.