Weathering the Xmas Break

So I'm a college student, and will be headed back to my hometown for 3 weeks over winter break. Last winter I did this and had no fatalities. (except for one of my plants, I didn't have a timer at the time and it died of "starvation" because I left the lights off)

This break, I think I'll ask for any input rather than trust my luck.

I will be using the dissolving feeder blocks, my friend is coming to put a new one in when the old one expires. I don't trust her to do a water change, but she will be fine making sure the heaters/filters are working on my two tanks. Also, worst case scenario, she would be able to remove a dead fish, although I'm pretty sure either my crab or shrimp would get to it first.

My 10G is heavily planted and my 25G is moderately planted. I think I'm gonna jam some more stems of pothos in the 25G. (houseplant that lives fine underwater, great hanging roots)

I'll be doing a big water change the day before I leave (thinking about 60%).

I understand that letting my tanks go unsupervised for , but any constructive advice would be much appreciated, so that my fish can enjoy the holiday season as well.

Right, what I got:

25G:
4 Serpae Tetras
3 Otos
2 SAE
2 Hatchet Fish
1 Dwarf Puffer
1 Red Claw Crab

10G:
2 small Cory's (albino and....the same species non albino, i forget the name)
2 Swordtails
2 Otos


The puffer is the only thing I'm concerned about, as he only eats live stuff/frozen bloodworms. I'm pretty sure even he will be fine food wise.

I'm more concerned about water quality, perhaps someone has a suggestion on some sort of filter media I could use, but I'm thinking perhaps my plants will do just fine at the utilization of ammonia/nitrates/ites.