View Full Version : Going out of town for 12 days... got a auto feeder!
Jeffd1979
12-11-2003, 4:15 PM
I am getting married this weekend and i am going out of town for 12 days... I have a 37 gallon tank with 2 small angels in it... I bought one of those auto feeders today that feeds twice a day at petsmart... I put it on the lowest setting i can to just despense a few flakes but i still think it is going to be to much for the 2 small fish... Will this build up my ammonia levels to high? I have an emperor 280 and i just put a fresh filter in it... I have about 5 live plants in there to (the bulbs you buy from walmart that grow into plants. ya i know, don't laugh) ... will that help keep the levels down??? anything else that i should do????
Btw i did a 35% water change yesterday.
JSchmidt
12-11-2003, 4:19 PM
Is it programmable? Can you program it to feed only once a day? You probably would have done that if possible, I suppose...
I'd be very careful before leaving an autofeeder on a tank for almost two weeks. I'd try it out for several days to make sure it isn't overfeeding and fouling the water.
Is the tank cycled?
Jim
Jeffd1979
12-11-2003, 5:10 PM
Originally posted by JSchmidt
Is it programmable? Can you program it to feed only once a day? You probably would have done that if possible, I suppose...
I'd be very careful before leaving an autofeeder on a tank for almost two weeks. I'd try it out for several days to make sure it isn't overfeeding and fouling the water.
Is the tank cycled?
Jim
Not programmable... I can't test it because we are leaving tomorrow morning at 9 am...
Not sure what you mean by cycled.. now to this fish thing... Tank has been up and running for 5 weeks now..
fishdude
12-11-2003, 5:38 PM
when you first put water in your tank it takes about a month or two for the chemicals in the tank to be balanced out,
is the water cloudy can you test your water with a test kit?
Jeffd1979
12-11-2003, 5:46 PM
Originally posted by fishdude
when you first put water in your tank it takes about a month or two for the chemicals in the tank to be balanced out,
is the water cloudy can you test your water with a test kit?
THe water is not cloudy.. was only cloudy for about 4 days the first week.. water is crystal clear now..
PH=7.2
ammonia= right about 0.5ppm
nitrate=0
nitrite=0
i have a bubble wand that makes bubbles come up (lady at the fish store told me that would be good.)
http://web.infoave.net/~jeffd1979/tank3.jpg
fishdude
12-11-2003, 5:48 PM
sounds ok
btw nice tank:D :cool:
yashinfan
12-11-2003, 5:54 PM
It's weird that your test would be reading any amonia whatsoever tho.. even if it is only 0.5 ppm. I don't really know anything about the feeder, but can you have one of your neighbours or friends look in on your fish? They can go at least 2 days without eating, and 2x/day might be overkill. I really wish I knew more about the product. Sorry :(
If it is the hagen feeder like I have then just set it on a really low setting so only a tiny amount of food comes out. This will allow the fish to have a snack but will not allow for overfeeding. Do a big water change before you go to make sure the water quality is as good as possible.
Congrats on the wedding!!!
Jeffd1979
12-11-2003, 6:16 PM
Originally posted by TKOS
If it is the hagen feeder like I have then just set it on a really low setting so only a tiny amount of food comes out. This will allow the fish to have a snack but will not allow for overfeeding. Do a big water change before you go to make sure the water quality is as good as possible.
cool... will do another one tonight..
JSchmidt
12-11-2003, 8:46 PM
If the lowest setting dispenses too much food, try putting some tape over the opening to decrease the amount.
Personally, I don't trust autofeeders enough to leave one for two weeks without thoroughly testing it.
To be honest, I'd be just as concerned with the detectable ammonia and zero nitrates... sounds like a tank that hasn't developed it's colony of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (the so-called biofilter). In other words, the tank my not have cycled, which would be a problem if your autofeeder went overboard and dumped in a bunch of food.
Changing water before you leave would be smart, as would making sure the feeder only drops a smidgen of food. Too bad the fish are so small, or you could leave without feeding.
Good luck, and congrats on the wedding!
Jim
If it is the Hagen then the lowest setting dropps a tiny amount of food. I use it in a 10 gallon tank when I go away with no problems. If it breaks the worst that can happen is no food comes out. Or else it can get clogged and once again no food.
Yes, it is always best if someone can come in and do water changes and feedings.
Thankfully your fish are small and the tank is big and a good water change should help keep things going till you get back home. Remember though, as soon as you get home - water change water change!!! I am sure the significant other will probably wish to be the center of attention but the little guys will need 10 minutes of your time (just have the water prepared and setting by the tank for a quick water change).
Jeffd1979
12-11-2003, 9:32 PM
Just did a 8 gallon water change... hopefully that will hold me over till i get back...