fish survival in prolonged absence of care
fish survival in prolonged absence of care
I'm curious, can fish really make it a month with just an auto feeder and no water changes?
Re: fish survival in prolonged absence of care
It really depends on the tank size and the tank mates. Generally, I'd say no, it's not a good idea to leave fish for a month with just an auto feeder and no water changes.
Re: fish survival in prolonged absence of care
I think it's a tank-dependent thing, but I wouldn't risk it personally. Got a trip planned or something?
Re: fish survival in prolonged absence of care
To better assess your situation, could you tell me the size of your tank and what fish you have in it? If you're planning a trip, it might be worth asking someone you trust to stop by, feed your fish, and possibly do a water change or two - you could always offer to compensate them for their trouble.
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violetfisher - Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 8:49 pm
Re: fish survival in prolonged absence of care
I'd say yes, if everything else is in order. Do a water change beforehand and make sure they're well-fed. If there's some algae in the tank or anything, they should be alright. Just my two cents.
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shakinStevens - Posts: 75
- Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2022 4:15 pm
Re: fish survival in prolonged absence of care
My experience with a month-long absence from my planted tank has been mixed. I've gone three weeks without a water change, no problem. Before I leave, I double-check everything, including the fish feeder, to make sure it's working correctly.
However, I have had issues with the filter pump and water evaporation. One time, too much water evaporated, causing the pump to run dry and eventually fail. I had to make an emergency trip to the LFS for a new pump when I got back. To mitigate this, I've since covered my aquarium, leaving only small openings for the fish feeder and wires for the pump and heater.
My most recent problem was the filter plugging up due to pond snails clogging the filter spray bar – a problem I thought I'd solved. Unfortunately, this led to the loss of my flower shrimp, which are filter feeders and likely starved due to the loss of water flow.
It's possible to leave your tank unattended for a month, but you need to be confident in the reliability of your equipment – heater, filter pump, and fish feeder. Your plants must also be able to maintain stable water parameters, and water evaporation should be minimized. My plants consistently absorb all nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia, keeping my phosphate levels in check. However, GH and KH can shift, increasing with excessive water evaporation or overfeeding. Last December, when my tank was unattended, my GH and KH actually dropped due to the plants.
However, I have had issues with the filter pump and water evaporation. One time, too much water evaporated, causing the pump to run dry and eventually fail. I had to make an emergency trip to the LFS for a new pump when I got back. To mitigate this, I've since covered my aquarium, leaving only small openings for the fish feeder and wires for the pump and heater.
My most recent problem was the filter plugging up due to pond snails clogging the filter spray bar – a problem I thought I'd solved. Unfortunately, this led to the loss of my flower shrimp, which are filter feeders and likely starved due to the loss of water flow.
It's possible to leave your tank unattended for a month, but you need to be confident in the reliability of your equipment – heater, filter pump, and fish feeder. Your plants must also be able to maintain stable water parameters, and water evaporation should be minimized. My plants consistently absorb all nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia, keeping my phosphate levels in check. However, GH and KH can shift, increasing with excessive water evaporation or overfeeding. Last December, when my tank was unattended, my GH and KH actually dropped due to the plants.
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littleking - Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed May 18, 2022 11:00 pm
Re: fish survival in prolonged absence of care
A month may be pushing it for fish going without food, I've never trusted auto feeders myself. But if you do decide to use one, make absolutely sure it works correctly every time - I've heard horror stories about food getting stuck or the feeder dropping a week's worth of food at once.
Personally, I've always had someone come in and feed my fish once a week when I'm away. I use a weekly pill box that seals, with the correct amount for each tank, and ask them to just add the food from the relevant box to the relevant tank. I also have a jug that I use strictly for the tanks and ask them to top up the water level to the black trim on the tanks.
That's it, never had trouble this way. If I'm only going away for a week to 10 days, I do a large water change the day before or on the same day I leave and make sure the fish are fed for at least 3 days prior to leaving.
The water change for a month isn't too concerning for me, that used to be the normal practice back in the day - even routine 2-month water changes weren't unheard of. Of course, that's not recommended now, but a large water change just before you leave is a good idea. Either make sure the auto feeder works 100% every time or ask a trustworthy person to come in and feed the fish and top up your tank once a week.
Personally, I've always had someone come in and feed my fish once a week when I'm away. I use a weekly pill box that seals, with the correct amount for each tank, and ask them to just add the food from the relevant box to the relevant tank. I also have a jug that I use strictly for the tanks and ask them to top up the water level to the black trim on the tanks.
That's it, never had trouble this way. If I'm only going away for a week to 10 days, I do a large water change the day before or on the same day I leave and make sure the fish are fed for at least 3 days prior to leaving.
The water change for a month isn't too concerning for me, that used to be the normal practice back in the day - even routine 2-month water changes weren't unheard of. Of course, that's not recommended now, but a large water change just before you leave is a good idea. Either make sure the auto feeder works 100% every time or ask a trustworthy person to come in and feed the fish and top up your tank once a week.
Re: fish survival in prolonged absence of care
I've got a 29-gallon tank with a few inhabitants. I have 1 male yellow lab, he's about 6-7 cm, I've kept him separate till he outgrows the female. The female yellow lab is 10-11 cm. Then there's a male golden severum, smaller than the female, also 6-7 cm. And lastly, I have a flowerhorn, he's around 10-11 cm too. Yeah, I'm planning on going away for a bit.