1. Welcome to Aquarium Space! We are a friendly online community for aquarium owners all over the world who love their tanks including their fish, reefs, corals, invertebrates and their aquatic livestock. If you haven't joined yet, we invite you to register and join our community!

how do I care for my fish while I'm away?

Discussion in 'Freshwater General Discussion' started by Leslie, Aug 26, 2008.

Page 2 of 3
  1. Dox13

    Dox13 Member

    Messages:
    143
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Re: going outta town.

    Sorry I can't help.
     
    Dox13, Aug 29, 2008
    #21
  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: going outta town.

    I had dwarf frogs before, but mine were in a 10 when I went away for a week.
    They did okay in a 10 with a feeder block (the ones that look like flake food and not the pyramid vitamin looking blocks)...I actually did a dry run a week in advance to make sure he would be able to eat. Mine ate the flakes as the block slowly released them. I can't vouch for all frogs, and again...mine was in a 10gallon at the time compared to a 5...but it's the best you can do if you have no other choices...and the plants were nibbled by some of my fish/frog...because when I came back they had the bugger ripped apart...lol.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Aug 30, 2008
    #22
  3. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    1,236
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    How My Fish Did While I Was Away:

    How My Fish Did While I Was Away:
    ok. i dont know how many of you read my post on here. but i left for 2 weeks. left my fish and had my uncle come feed them and my other animals. well, the bettas died. but the frog, platys, and both catfish made it. and well there was a surprise too. there are 2 little fishys swimming around. they are white.
     
    Leslie, Sep 29, 2008
    #23
  4. Anonymous

    Anonymous Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Re: how the fish did while i was gone.

    LESLIE! I was wondering when you were getting back. I guess you coud say I was kinda worried about you, lol. Anyway, sorry to hear about the bettas, and maybe they are the two little white fish?! Hope all went well on the vacation.
     
    Anonymous, Sep 29, 2008
    #24
  5. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    1,236
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: how the fish did while i was gone.

    i think the 2 little white fishys are mickey mouse platys. but they have no mickey. so i dunno. i will try to take some pictures of them so every body can see.
     
    Leslie, Sep 29, 2008
    #25
  6. eeyipes

    eeyipes New Member

    Messages:
    180
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: how the fish did while i was gone.

    Sometimes those babies hide so well you don't see them for a couple weeks after they're born -- I was checking on my endler babies and just realized one of them is starting to turn orange -- it's a platy!

    Sorry about the bettas, usually there are such tough little critters.
     
    eeyipes, Oct 2, 2008
    #26
  7. phishin

    phishin New Member

    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    What do you guys do on long vacations?

    What do you guys do on long vacations?
    Just got back from a week long vaca, and lost a few swimmers. whats the best thing to do while gone ??
     
    phishin, Mar 26, 2009
    #27
  8. James0816

    James0816 New Member

    Messages:
    1,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: What do you guys do on long vacations?

    If I am going to be gone for an extended amount of time, I usually have a friend come over and take care of the pets...includes feeding fish.

    Maybe look into automatic feeders? Can't vouch for them though as I have never used them.
     
    James0816, Mar 26, 2009
    #28
  9. phishin

    phishin New Member

    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: What do you guys do on long vacations?

    I had someone here once a day... he said he kept the light on 24 hours and then turned off for 24... could that have done something with too much light.. and then lack of light for that long?
     
    phishin, Mar 26, 2009
    #29
  10. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: What do you guys do on long vacations?

    While keeping the light on for 24 hours a day over an extended period of time is not good for the fish, it wouldn't kill them if it were left on for 24 hours, then off for 24.

    Did you test your water after returning home ?
     
    Anthony, Mar 26, 2009
    #30
  11. James0816

    James0816 New Member

    Messages:
    1,199
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: What do you guys do on long vacations?

    Doubt it uness you have a high powered light that will significantly raise the temps up.
     
    James0816, Mar 26, 2009
    #31
  12. Alleycat

    Alleycat Member

    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Re: What do you guys do on long vacations?

    1 week away, I close the door and it's lights out unless the tank has plants, then they're on a timer. The only fish that are fed are the fry, with a detailed explanation of who gets what, and how many times a day.
    2 weeks away, son #1 stays at the house and has a long list of things that need food, water, and exercise ...
    3 weeks away ... Oh heck that just doesn't happen.
     
    Alleycat, Mar 26, 2009
    #32
  13. phishin

    phishin New Member

    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: What do you guys do on long vacations?

    Yea, the parameters were a tad higher than when i left, but no huge spike that would suggest a death trap.
     
    phishin, Mar 26, 2009
    #33
  14. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: How To Care For Fish While You're Away (Advice Needed)

    Exactly what was higher ? I know this is a bit off topic from the main question but I'm curious what killed the fish as well.

    For freshwater fish, depending what type, if the tank is well established I wouldn't worry about feeding them too much. I would leave the lights on a timer and allow them to eat anything in the tank they can find, algae being the main thing.
     
    Anthony, Mar 26, 2009
    #34
  15. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

    Messages:
    3,588
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Re: How To Care For Fish While You're Away (Advice Needed)

    Yeah, I do run a timer for that reason. Also it saves a few minutes of your life each day with the tank running automated. It also saves electricity and your fishes sanity AND helps control algae....

    Timers are definitely the way to go!

    As far as the time away from home goes, I portion the food out in bags for the person feeding them and tell them put everything in the bag in once a day...
     
    LemonDiscus, Mar 26, 2009
    #35
  16. phishin

    phishin New Member

    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: How To Care For Fish While You're Away (Advice Needed)

    the trites and trates went up from when i tested a day before i left , but far from being a huge spike -- tested nitrite level was 6ppm and the nitrate was at 33 ppm. the ph came down .4 points from 8.3 to 7.9


    :confused:
     
    phishin, Mar 26, 2009
    #36
  17. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: How To Care For Fish While You're Away (Advice Needed)

    Well that's not good. How long has the tank been running ?
     
    Anthony, Mar 26, 2009
    #37
  18. phishin

    phishin New Member

    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: How To Care For Fish While You're Away (Advice Needed)

    good question, i posted my noobie post about a month ago, and had the tank up and running for 2 months before i posted. so that makes it almost a 7 week cycle period, and have gradually been adding fish since. haven't added any in about 3 weeks.
     
    phishin, Mar 26, 2009
    #38
  19. angelLuver

    angelLuver New Member

    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: How To Care For Fish While You're Away (Advice Needed)

    Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:19 am
    i am leaving today and will be away from my fish for 4 days...i am cleaning my tanks and giving them both a pwc..should i leave the light on or off.. i also bought a slow release weekender fish food tab. i will toss in the tank before i leave...any thing i am missing?dont want anything to happen to my fishy family members while i am away !!!! i feel bad leaving them!!!
     
    angelLuver, Aug 13, 2009
    #39
  20. cooltow1

    cooltow1 Member

    Messages:
    594
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Re: How To Care For Fish While You're Away (Advice Needed)

    Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:24 am
    I would skip the weekend feeder, they'll be fine for 4 days.

    Rick
     
    cooltow1, Aug 13, 2009
    #40
Page 2 of 3