going away for a week

[x_LoUiSe_x]

im going away for a week and have a few questions about my fish..............

1) would they manage for a week with out food?

2) should i get my sister in law to come and feed them a couple of times during the week?? (tuesday n thursday)

3)will they be ok with no lights on (i dont have real plants)?

oh and recently ive only been feeding them every other day trying not to let too much poop build up so the corys eat it will this help keep my water conditions stable?

[msjinkzd]

They should be fine for a week without food. Do a water exchange the day you leave, and the day you get back. Feed normally when you get back. It should be fine for your lights to be out but if you are concerned timers at home depot or lowe's are super cheap. You might want your sister in law to come check if you have storms (power outtages). If you get her to feed them at all you may want to pre-bag the food to prevent her trying to over feed out of kindness.

[jpappy789]

^^^I agree

[x_LoUiSe_x]

yeah, i was gonna pre bag it in food bags.

my husband doesnt want the lights left on (or on timer) he wittles about leaving stuff on, lol

ive convinced him to let me leave the heaters and filters on though!!!

[mostlycichlids]

A blackout for a week may stress the fish. Fish need a photo period of at least a few hours a day. They will be fine for a week without food. I would make sure to feed them well a few days before you leave and daily. I would do a water change the day before you leave to make sure water is the best it can be before you leave. BTW the corys dont eat poop as you may or may not know. Try to keep the lights on a timer though a week without light is not very healthy for the fish.

[wataugachicken]

or leave a window in the room with the blinds or curtains open so the fish can experience something of a day/night cycle.

[jac]

^^ good idea :)

[x_LoUiSe_x]

corys dont eat poo?? so where does it all go??????? they sure look like they are eating it!! and it doesnt all end up in my filter??

i think im gonna have to go with the leave the curtains open option. the plugs for the lights get so hot i dont want to leave them polugged in all week and come back to ashes for a house!!

[wataugachicken]

lol, the poo breaks down in the tank and rots. the cories do help get rid of it by moving it around and physically breaking it down as they search for food, and also when they dig and the poop gets above the substrate enough to get sucked into the filter. none of your fish have noticeably big poop anyway. cleaning the gravel isn't a bad idea though. . . .

[x_LoUiSe_x]

i have sand, im a right idiot, lol i always thought they ate it! lol

[Hooked Newbie]

^^ good idea :)

Or get a light timer that hubby doesn't know about... :grinyes:

[jpappy789]

Haha, be very very sneaky!