Tropical Fish Forums

jarnhestur · New Members Joined: 17 May 2007

I'm leaving my 10g setup for 10 days next week. I'm having someone come by and deposit (pre-measured) food in every 2 or 3 days. I have the 'vacation feeders', some sort of disolving shell shape thing, but I don't know that I trust them.

I current have an oto, 2 white skirt tetra's, 2 serpae tetras, and 3 neons.

Any good vacation tips or other things I should consider? I'm considering getting a timer for the light, because I do have a single plant, although it's not very big (it's some sort of plain grass).

Thanks!

Jason L · Advisors Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada

You seem to have everything covered. Your suspicions are right about the vacation feeder; they are terrible. If you have someone coming to feed them every couple days, they will be fine. A light timer is definitely a good idea. 24 hours of light a day will probably bring about some algae, and no light at all could kill the plant. My only suggestion is a large water change before you go.

Ferrariman · Regulars Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Location: California

I have heard from many places that a well feed fish, can survive a week with no food. key is well feed.

your best idea is to just use the premeasured food bags you made and have someone feed them every 2/3 days like you were going to do.

skip the self disolving thing all together

gm333 · Advisors Joined: 30 May 2007 Location: Sand Springs OK

I would like to point out that tetra gel feeding blocks work very well and will not release too soon, or cloud up your water. I have used them on several ocassions. Here is a link to the product.

http://tinyurl.com/yvdkqf
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Ferrariman · Regulars Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Location: California

thanks gm333

from what I heard they don't work very well but if you had succes, then jarnhestur

might be better off with one of those.

gm333 · Advisors Joined: 30 May 2007 Location: Sand Springs OK

They work better than the plaster base feeders. In all actuality an electronic feeder is better, but if you don't have the spare cash these tend to work much better in the long run. Not to mention give you a little peace of mind while your away by not constantly worrying about your fish.
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jarnhestur · New Members Joined: 17 May 2007

Thanks for the advice all! I'll rest easier knowing what has worked for everyone else.

Thanks again,

Jarn

jarnhestur · New Members Joined: 17 May 2007

I meant to reply to this earlier, but I got back last week and all was well - mostly. After feeding the fish I noticed some extra algae in the tank. Sure enough, after looking around a bit there was a lot extra.

I thought maybe my Oto took a vacation as well, but when doing the water change the next day I vacumed up a ton of extra food off the bottom. My uncle who had my dog stopped by a few times to check on the house and fed them himself, even though I had asked him not too. Doh!

Oh well, my water parameters were fine (thank goodness for the extra corner filter!) so no harm done. Thanks again to everyone with the helpful suggestions.

RaiderFan92 · Regulars Joined: 12 Jun 2006

At least your uncle was being considerate! Laughing

And is your oto OK? its not like them to pass up any algae at all.

jarnhestur · New Members Joined: 17 May 2007

He seems to be doing fine, actually. I think there's just too much algae for him to get to and it's regrowing rapidly. I don't mind if the tank has some extra algae because he won't eat anything I drop in the tank (algae tablets, cucumbers, etc.). I've cut back the feedings to ever other day until I do my water change on Saturday.

I gotta say, I love the oto and I'm definately planning on getting some more for my next tank (20g tall) when I get around to setting it up. I'd get him a friend, but I'm worried the 10g won't support two otos. Plus, I got two originally, but the 2nd oto only last for 2 weeks. Poor little guy seemed sluggish from the time I picked him at the LFS.