What do you do during long vacations?

[yhbae]

I think this question comes up often. I myself had 2 weeks family vacation (i.e. no one remains in the house!) too and the only reason it was 2 instead of 3 was because of my aquariums!

Two things that always comes up on the list:
- Feeding
- Water changes

I think feeding can be skipped up to two weeks without killing fishes. That's what I did and I didn't loose any fishes in both community and mbuna tanks during the two weeks. Water levels were down though, and if I was away for another 1 week, both tanks would have been in trouble. Hang on back filters were barely working and it's good that those were only backups.

I've been looking at auto feeders and people seem to praise Eheim version. For that price, I hope it works!

I can have people come into my house and check but none of them are capable of doing water changes.

So, what would you do if you were away for more than 2 weeks? 1 month?

 

[rich311k]

You would have to get someone to feed the tanks. When I was away for 3 weeks I had a friend top off the tanks a couple of times. It worked out ok, since the fish were only fed a couple of times. I did a large water change the day before I left and when I got home.

 

[yhbae]

I am actually less worried about feeding. It is the water changes I am more worried about. I can foresee myself going to vacation for a month or longer in the future. Not doing water change for a month is not an option I believe.

I am going to look into auto feeders and look for user reviews more to see if those works.

 

[bazil323]

Jeez, I'm not sure. I've been gone for a week, and I had my sister in law feed my puffers and bbgs because they were the easiest to explain (pop one of these frozen squares in this dish that I'm setting on the tank with a bit of water until it's thawed and drop in). I wasn't too worried about the snails. At the time, I only had the 2 tanks.

Now, I've got 4 tanks and 3 of them take mostly flake, pellets, and wafers with frozen supplementation. I guess I'd just have her come over again to feed them and set out the food in one of those daily medicine planners so that she just has to pop one day open and drop it in.

If I was only going to be gone for a week or 2, I guess I wouldn't sweat water changes. I'd do a huge water change the day of or the day before I leave. If it was longer, I'm not sure. I might teach her how to do wcs, since I don't have sand substrates it would be a little easier. She's actually pretty responsible (she's 18) and not a typical teenager. I think she'd do just fine.

 

[California Roll]

This is topical because I am going to be gone 4 days. I think most of my fish will be ok for 4 days but was wondering about my Red Eye Puffer. I could get someone to feed him frozen stuff but would he be ok without food for 4 days? There are a couple of small mystery snails in the tank if he gets desperate.

 

[msjinkzd]

I hire a petsitter who maintains tanks. About a month before I go away, she comes over and shows me how she does the wc's. I also prebag the food to remove room for error. I make sure all the supplies are clearly set out for her. i only have her water change my discus tank and my snail growout, as they are the most sensitive. The others get fed every other day and topped off if needed. I have been using the same pet sitter for 3 years now and am extremely confident in her. Also, if they are an accredited petsitter they are insured. Mine also brings in my mail, takes care of my cats, and checks my pool and vegetable garden. All for $8 a visit. I found her through:http://www.petsitter2.com/
I checked references before hiring her and have been very pleased.

 

[MadHatter]

i have seen an add for a wi-fi feeder/level tester/webcam system so you can feed from afar and when the levels get high you phone into your friend/famaly member/ w/e instructions to keep it under control untill you get back

 

[rinmouse]

sounds like you have a great petsitter for a very reasonable price!

 

[yhbae]

This is topical because I am going to be gone 4 days. I think most of my fish will be ok for 4 days but was wondering about my Red Eye Puffer. I could get someone to feed him frozen stuff but would he be ok without food for 4 days? There are a couple of small mystery snails in the tank if he gets desperate.

I don't know puffers but so far, I have yet to encounter fishes that will die because you haven't feed them for 4 days, unless they are really really young.

 

[yhbae]

I hire a petsitter who maintains tanks. About a month before I go away, she comes over and shows me how she does the wc's. I also prebag the food to remove room for error. I make sure all the supplies are clearly set out for her. i only have her water change my discus tank and my snail growout, as they are the most sensitive. The others get fed every other day and topped off if needed. I have been using the same pet sitter for 3 years now and am extremely confident in her. Also, if they are an accredited petsitter they are insured. Mine also brings in my mail, takes care of my cats, and checks my pool and vegetable garden. All for $8 a visit. I found her through:http://www.petsitter2.com/
I checked references before hiring her and have been very pleased.

That's a nice service! Except they don't have an entry for Ontario... May be I should start that service over here... LOL erv: