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Vacation feeding

3K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  MattD 
#1 ·
I'll be leaving on a short vacation soon and was wondering about the benefits or problems of using some of the various feeder blocks, food sticks and gel tabs available. My fish would have to go 4 full days without food (1 betta,3 white cloud minnow, 2 panda cory in a 10 gal).
 
#3 ·
i have never used an auto feeders...

those weekend feeders works great in my tank... keep in mind that there should be ample water circulation for it to work... (from my experience)

i have 4 guppies , 4 neon tetras, and 3 brig snails in a 12 gallon tank on my office desk... the block feeds the fish as well as provides calcium supplement for the snails. I only use the feeder for long holidays... other then that, for the weekends they do pretty good with out food...
 
#4 ·
I would avoid the holiday blocks. These are going to mess up your water conditions and eventually harm the fish. I find them rather a gamble anyway. Russ, either provide plants where the fish can pick on microfauna or provide automatic feeders. Eheim and Sera have good reputation so you may want their products. Be sure to try it for a few days before vacation so you can check if it is working effectively.

The best solution will, ultimately, be plants and no food for foru days. Java moss is your best bet there.
 
#5 ·
I currently have no live plants, just two 15 watt incandescant bulbs and a thin layer of gravel. Can I just toss in a small floating plant or a plant in the little plastic store basket for the few days and then pull it out when I get back?
 
#6 ·
russp said:
I currently have no live plants, just two 15 watt incandescant bulbs and a thin layer of gravel. Can I just toss in a small floating plant or a plant in the little plastic store basket for the few days and then pull it out when I get back?
You can. Switch the incandescent lights with fluorescent. The former gives off too much heat and some floating plants cannot tolerate too much condensation forming on their leaves particularly the Pistia stratiotes. Incandescent is also not compatible for use with plants.
 
#8 ·
russp said:
Thanks Lupin,

Do you happen to know a source for florescents to replace those 15watt tube bulbs that come in small tanks? I haven't been able to find any locally.
Ebay?
 
#9 ·
I am assuming you are going to leave the light off for four days straight, don't leave it on! The only other thing I can think to do, is to get one of those blocks, but purchase one that is meant for a smaller tank/less fish/less time and supplment with the moss. I have used them once and had no problem, but it was a tiny one.

Of course if you have someone that can come in even just one day in the middle of the time away it might not an issue at all. Just make sure if you do this to pre-measure the food you want them to toss in.
 
#10 ·
Andyandsue said:
Of course if you have someone that can come in even just one day in the middle of the time away it might not an issue at all. Just make sure if you do this to pre-measure the food you want them to toss in.
Then keep the original container full of foods out of sight.:wink2: Heaven knows how overly-generous most sitters are when it comes to being new to fish.:sarcastic: :shake:
 
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