Going On Vacation For A Week, Any Advice?

I hope that this is okay to post here. I'm still trying to figure out the different categories, and figured it was a beginners question . If I guessed wrong, please move and let me know where it should have gone, Thanks
I have a 45 gallon tank that has been cycled since March with an Aquaclear 50 and a small Top fin HOB filter. I am leaving on vacation for a week and have someone coming in to take care of my cats and feed the fish. She doesn't know anything about fish, so I am trying to make it as simple as possible for her. I will portion the food out into a weekly pill box, so that all she has to do is empty the compartment into the tank each day. I normally change the water once a week, and will do that the night before I leave and then again, as soon as I get back. The light is on a timer. Anything I am forgetting or any other advice? Thanks for your time!

 

The only other thing is I would ask them to check for any dead fish and remove any. A dead fish left for a week could be bad.

 

Good thought, thanks!

 

What and how many fish do you have in that aquarium? Do you have live plants?

Most of the fish is fine for a week without feeding. Some type of fish can get some of the biofilm formed on the surfaces.

If I would be in your situation, I would feed generously one day before leave, then do a massive (50%) water change on the day of leaving. Let somebody to feed the cats, but do not touch the aquarium.

If you sure that you will be back after a week, maybe, and just really maybe, allow your helper to feed the fish on the 4th day - so you can do a water change, when you will be back. Only feed what you would feed during a regular feeding.

Again, the fish should be fine, sometimes they need some fasting time anyway.

But do make sure that your cats cannot get to the aquarium!

 

I have 8 glofish tetras, 5 glofish danios, 4 fancy male guppies and 3 nerite sails. All silk plants. I usually do 50-70% water change every 7-8 days, so I won't be missing a water change while I'm gone. I usually test mid week and the nitrates are around 5 and then somewhere between 5-10, just before the water change.

 

OK, then I would definitely feed a day before leaving, do a 50% water change on the day of leaving - and don't feed at all for a week.

 

Depending if you have a friend or family member that can take care of them be sure to leave thorough instructions (if they aren't too great with fish care). As long as the aquarium light isn't on 24/7 while away you shouldn't have an algae outbreak. A 45 gallon with 20 small/medium critters or fish should be ok for maybe 3 weeks depending on the water's colour and if the filter was clean by then. I learned from my first vacation, I lost 2 aquariums because of the vague instructions I gave my dad. Hopefully when I return home tomorrow I should see better results.
A week in the aquarium world can go by quickly or slowly. Other than my random advise, you should be ok.

 

I am going on a week vacation Sunday. I usually let my brother feed them but he will be gone part of the time .My mom over feeds every animal and human lol so I think it’s better to go without food since water changes won’t be done. I’m nervous I’ve done 4 days before but this will be 6-7. I have 10 tanks ) so it’s very hard to make this simple for anyone.

 

I am going on a week vacation Sunday. I usually let my brother feed them but he will be gone part of the time .My mom over feeds every animal and human lol so I think it’s better to go without food since water changes won’t be done. I’m nervous I’ve done 4 days before but this will be 6-7. I have 10 tanks :eek so it’s very hard to make this simple for anyone.

If you don't have baby fish in any of them, you would be fine.

 

What about picking up one of those auto feeders if you're concerned about feeding them?

 

What about picking up one of those auto feeders if you're concerned about feeding them?

Not good idea! You need a lot of time until you dial them in, and they still can surprise you... the danger is that it will be a food dump, way bigger than regular, which can really mess with the water.