Going on vacation

I had the same dilema two weeks ago. I asked the employees at my LFS what they did when they went on vacation. They told me that in all honesty that the fish will be fine without food for 4-7 days. One even said she left hers for a week once. She breeds bettas ($30-$50 kind) and they were fine for the week. True, they were hungry when she returned, but none were in any type of terrible condition.
As far as surviving without a water change. I think the betta will do fine. A person in may office had a betta for 5 years in a 1 quart bowl and that fish was lucky if the water was changed every two weeks (usually due to my badgering him). I think he will do fine for 4 days.
I did go on vacation for 5 days. I fed all the fish well before I left and when I got back, I had no casualties. True, they were hungry but they didn't show any signs of stress.
 
Puffernewbee said:
I had the same dilema two weeks ago. I asked the employees at my LFS what they did when they went on vacation. They told me that in all honesty that the fish will be fine without food for 4-7 days. One even said she left hers for a week once. She breeds bettas ($30-$50 kind) and they were fine for the week. True, they were hungry when she returned, but none were in any type of terrible condition.
As far as surviving without a water change. I think the betta will do fine. A person in may office had a betta for 5 years in a 1 quart bowl and that fish was lucky if the water was changed every two weeks (usually due to my badgering him). I think he will do fine for 4 days.
I did go on vacation for 5 days. I fed all the fish well before I left and when I got back, I had no casualties. True, they were hungry but they didn't show any signs of stress.
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The fish maybe fine, but the levels will be high. And thats not good for anyone.

Feeding the fish a lot before you go i a really bad idea. The fish will poo more, and give you ammoina. These levels may build up while you are out. And high levels can bring on dead fish.
 
StacieA said:
Holly, how long does it take to finally relax and not stress about leaving your fishy critters for a few days?!
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I stopped worrying about it when my tank had been up and running for a while (about 6 months) and I was confident that they were going to be alive when I got back!! Hungry, yes, but alive and well :)
 
Kasakato said:
The fish maybe fine, but the levels will be high. And thats not good for anyone.

Feeding the fish a lot before you go i a really bad idea. The fish will poo more, and give you ammoina. These levels may build up while you are out. And high levels can bring on dead fish.
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I guess I should have been more clear. I fed them just before I left the same amount I feed them at each feeding and then added an extra pinch (corys clean that up pretty quick). My tank levels were 0,0,0 when I returned. My 29 gallon is well established and is not overstocked. I change 5 gallons every three weeks, not because any of my levels start climbing (I check once a week), but just because I feel guilty thanks to all of you on this website that change 50% weekly.
 
I have two small plants in it but I do not think they make that much of a difference. I have an Emperor 280 with the standard filter and fluval biomax in the additional cage. I have an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Test Kit and according to the color charts when I tested the water today.

ammonia= 0 ppm
nitrites = 0 ppm
nitrates = 0 ppm
ph = 6.2

I have not changed any water in 2 weeks.

I also have a 10 gallon with a puffer and the kit shows different readings for that tank so I am sure the kit works just fine. I have also had the water tested at the LFS and the readings they get are the same as mine.
 
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