So you planned a vacation after working so hard all year long. Then it hits you. What about my fish?
You can’t obviously take them with you! Now you’re thinking who’s going to feed them? Who’s going to check the water chemistry?
You have all these questions in your head.
There are a couple of things to know. So let me try to help you get it organized before you leave. This way your vacation will be a 100% stress-free.
Feeding the Fish
Feeding saltwater fish while on vacation isn’t that hard if you think of everything beforehand.
So, how long can marine fish go without food in an aquarium?
Fish can actually go for a couple of weeks without feeding. It’s hard to believe but it’s true.
Your aquarium will actually look cleaner when you’re away since there will be less waste that will accumulate from the lack of feeding.
One option is to get an No products found.. Vaction fish feeders are inexpensive and are of great help especially when you’re away. You can even use it even if you’re not on vacation.
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Just fill them up with your fish flakes or No products found.. It will last for a while before you need to refill them again.
Most of the automatic feeders are fully adjustable (you can release as much or as little food as you want). They also operate on batteries and will easily attach to the top of the aquarium.
Another option is using the pill boxes that have dividers which state the day of the week it is. You can put just enough flakes on each day and have someone you can trust help you with the feeding.
The great thing about this option is that you don’t have to worry about overfeeding and pollution in the aquarium water.
Other Details to Worry About
Try to do a partial water change right before you leave for your vacation.
It will let your fish have clean water while you’re away.
This will also get the water level topped off, so you don’t have to worry about low water level.
But it also depends on the rate of evaporation of course.
Try rinsing your filter media or replacing it.
What about your aquarium lighting? Should you leave it on or off?
My solution would be investing in an aquarium timer.
Like No products found.. It is a combination power strip and aquarium timer in one. It’s great and very convenient.
- Sliding outlet safety covers protect outlets not in use
- 24 hour mechanical timer with 15 minute interval settings
- Up to seven time cycles per day, seven days per week
- Grounded 3 prong plug with 3 foot power cord
- UL listed
If you have a friend, family or a neighbor that you can trust – then this is a plus.
Invite the fish sitter over a day or two before you leave for your vacation and walk them through your list. Show them exactly how to do what needs to be done correctly.
Also, give a phone number where you can be reached at immediately just in case an emergency happens to the fish and to the aquarium (water leak, heater broke and rise up the temperature, etc.).
Create a list of things you need to have them check while you’re away. Here is a sample:
- Feed the fish
- Check the temperature. Normal is at 78-80 degrees.
- Inspect the aquarium for anything out of the natural especially for leaks.
And don’t forget to thank them for this big favor!
But what if you really have nobody to come over?
Your fish will be fine without food if you’re going away for a week as I mentioned earlier. If you’re on vacation for a longer period of time, you will be risking it by not having someone come over.
Your fish should be fine from a food/feeding standpoint. But your aquarium water may not be in the best shape after two weeks without your care.
So plan ahead! Take proper precautions and show whoever will look after the aquarium the exact things to do and rest easy knowing that your fish will be fine.
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Last update on 2024-03-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API