What to do ?

E

Europian

AC Members
Mar 29, 2009
52
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6
San Diego, CA
Real Name
Ian Mills
Hi All,

I am going on a 3 week vacation, and was wondering if there is anything I can do to improve the chances of my fish surviving.

My neighbors children will feed them, but I can't ask them to do any water changes.

It's a 20 gallon long tank, been setup for about 3 months and has an aquaclear 50 filter on it.

Some thoughts I have had would:-
1) Get them to feed the fish every other day.
2) Get the amonia absorbing filter media in case anything bad happens.
3) Do a big water change before I go (what % ?)

So, what would you suggest ?

Thanks

Ian
 
Get one or two of those daily medicine containers and pre-portion the food for each day. Then hide the food containers. Often people who don't keep fish will feel like "that's not enough food for them" and overfeed.
 
I would only have them come in once a week. Fish can go a week or two without food. It is MUCH better for them and the quality of the water to be underfed than over. I agree with the post above, set up some portions and leave no access to more food for them. But I would only have them come in once or twice a week.
 
I agree with the above. Also do a good WC before you leave, and if you can, drop the temp a little (72??). This will slow down metabalism a little==less need for food and less waste.
 
I had to train a friend when i went away. i labelled small pinch sized daily food portions in seprate foil containers.
then hid all the food.

Make sure you hide the food somehoe or it wont go so well.
 
You should probably tell them that if any fish die they should just take it out and that they shouldn't try to replace it. Last thing you want is a sick fish spreading disease around while your not there and then not knowing how it happened when you get back.
 
lateinningmagic said:
You should probably tell them that if any fish die they should just take it out and that they shouldn't try to replace it. Last thing you want is a sick fish spreading disease around while your not there and then not knowing how it happened when you get back.
Click to expand...

That's a good point! It would be just as bad if they let it float around not knowing what to do...
 
If you're worries about ammonia/nitrite/nitrate build up, people have used prime to aid in fish-in cycling. Maybe you could get them to dose prime into the aquarium to convert harmful ammonia/nitrite/nitrate which in turn would reduce the stress on the fish. Maybe once a week too? I don't know if this is a good idea but the thought just crossed my mind.
 
You may also consider leaving a few gallons of distilled or spring water. Draw a water level line on the tank with a marker and instruct them to fill the tank weekly to the line. This will help offset evaporative loss and the resulting concentration of dissolved waste.
 
i wouldnt leave distilled or spring water, but you can leave a sealed container of dechlorinated water for them to top the tank off with.

do an 80% water change before you go

have them feed ever other day, even if you are going to be leaving them individual portions to feed.

put your lights on a timer if you have plants.
 
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