Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => New Fishkeepers => Topic started by: Cod_only_knows on December 15, 2014, 09:59:21 PM
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So I'm going away over Christmas and don't know the neighbours well enough to ask them to feed my fish. I'm going away for 11 days and have bought a tetra feeding block. I have a 55l with 6 x-ray tetras and 4 platies. I'm worried the whole block would foul the water, but don't want them going hungry. As the fish are all pretty young do you think half the block will be okay?
I plan to do a 30% water change before going and another when I return. Any tips?
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Tip #1: Throw the feeding block in the bin.
Tip #2: Do just your normal water changes before you go and after you return.
Tip #3: Stop worrying and enjoy your holiday..... the fish will be fine.
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How long can/do small fish last without food then?
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I've been on hols and left them for two weeks and there's been no problem at all.
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:yikes: Blimey
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I like the look of this http://amzn.to/1wd2Ov3 an autofeeder thingy...
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If you were planning on using an auto-feeder, then it would be best if you set it up while you're at home and let it do its thing for two weeks (or however long you anticipate being away for) then you can check that all's well with it.
The last thing you want is for it to dump all the food in after it had got a bit damp due to condensation.... or similar. :(
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True Col.
Used an autofeeder on my cat once, he broke into it and ate all his 3 day supply in one sitting :D
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So, the general consensus then is just don't feed them?
I like little fish, and plan for quite a few in my forthcoming 240L. Are there any fish in particular that might not like this period of fasting?
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What do people do about lights? I assume most have timers as it would otherwise be difficult to leave a tank with lights off or on for days at a time.
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Light timers from B&Q - 3 for a tenner. Useful on the Christmas tree lights, too. :)
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I use timers from wherever I happen to be when I need one. I got one from Wilkinsons this morning for £3.
I'm lucky in that my son has to just about pass our house to get to work so I leave the food in pill boxes and he calls in to just drop that day's premeasured food in the tanks. When he remembers.
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Wow, and there I was worrying about the occasional long weekend!
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
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I have a Fishmate automatic feeder. It works better with pellets rather than flakes which tend to go damp/soggy and clog it. This was fine when I had goldfish with bigger appetites and thus bigger portions of food. As my new tank doesn't have a feeder hole in the lid, I removed the lid and set this on a condensation tray with a hole cut out, and left the lid of the automatic feeder open to minimise condensation and the food going soggy as I now have tropicals like yours and the food is much smaller. It worked but some of the food was clogged. This gives me some reassurance that they are being fed at least some food but, having researched the pros and cons of the feeding blocks .v. 'not feeding', it does seem as though 'not feeding' is the safer of those two options.