Questions about going on vacation

[StacieH]

Hi,

My husband and I will be going on a 5 day vacation the week after Thanksgiving.

I plan to purchase a clownfish this next week, so it'll still be in quarantine at that time, though the tail end.

I really didn't want to buy two automatic feeders (one for the QT, one for the DT). I thought I'd do a water change (if needed...especially in the QT) just before we left, feed just before we leave, and as soon as we get back. That'll leave them unfed for 3 days.

Any thoughts on this? My QT is 29 gallons. My DT is 75 gallons with a longnose hawkfish, as well as some snails, hermit crabs, a cleaner shrimp and a feather duster.

Thanks in advance!

 

[greech]

You may not like the answer but you probably shouldn't buy the fish until you get back.

How is your QT set up and what are you using for biological filtration?

 

[Wren]

I would agree that you really shouldn't get the fish until you get back. A new fish benefits from small frequent feedings and you really want to watch it closely for signs of disease during those first days.

Your feeding plan is fine though. Just make sure that last feeding is a small one... You can't give an extra big feeding to get them through the vacation...

 

[greech]

On top of that I would be concerned about the QT not being able to handle the bioload on its own. Most QT tanks utilizing a seeded sponge or floss as a form of bilogical filtration can't hold up more than a day or two without an ammonia spike so you need to be there to help out with water changes and siphoning out excess food as well as wastes. This is further magnified by the use of an autofeeder.

You have other fish and maybe you have a more elaborate QT which is why I asked about the setup. If its a large QT that provides some buffer and/or the QT includes established LR then that would be different but if its a typical "sterile" tank with only a couple of seeded sponges I think you will have spikes and likely lose the clown while you are gone.