How long can you go without changing water?

[Taysius]

that is a smart idea. another one is to use zip lock bags or pill containers and have it pre measured out.

This is the best advice for anyone who is leaving someone else to feed their fish!

 

[jasonG75]

I can go a month without a water change

 

[shaynablizard]

As others have said, if you have good filtration and have maintained the tank well before leaving, it'll be fine for a couple weeks.

However, if you have a child old enough or other close friend/ family member that likes fish, it's not a bad idea to have a "water changing apprentice". That's what I've done with my daughter. It's nice to have the help when I need it and I also know that if I'm away or sick and something goes wrong with a tank, someone always knows how to do a quick change for me in a pinch.

(This idea came up when someone on here was in the hospital. Some of you may remember when she was in the hospital, her husband was trying to figure out what to feed the fish and how to care for them when she couldn't do it. I decided I'd never want to have my family in that position. I'd be a wreck stressing about it!)

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Agreeing with most everyone else here. With a 50% water change and a gentle rinsing off of filter media in old tank water a couple of days before the trip (to make sure the water params are stable and healthy), you should be able to go at least a month before water quality deteriorates enough to be even considered a real problem. Light feedings and a reduced photoperiod go a long way, as well. This is assuming the tank has good filtration, isn't overstocked, and/or has big messy fish such as large Cichlids, Plecos, etc.

 

[rufioman]

I get paranoid if I go longer than a week without doing wc's..especially on the 30g and smaller tanks lol ><

 

[bluemeate]

youll be fine