Labenator65000
Aquarium Advice FINatic
If I am planning to be gone 5-7 days, what should I do about feeding my Cichlids? Can I just leave them in the dark for that long without feeding them?
Vacation Feeding of Cichlids
- Thread starter Labenator65000
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
LyndaB
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yes, they'd be fine. And don't overfeed right before you leave.
NyteGTI
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I picked up an autofeeder a few weeks ago and have been monitoring it. it feeds on my normal schedule so they don't know the difference. it's velcrowed to my hood and an air pump keeps moisture out.
OP
OP
Labenator65000
Aquarium Advice FINatic
NyteGTI said:
I'm seeing mixed reviews on auto feeders. I can see needing it for an extended away time. Is it really needed for just 5-7 days?
LyndaB
Aquarium Advice Addict
You are right to be wary of the auto feeders. My husband had one and even on the lowest setting, it still fed about 3 times more than the fish required.
Feeding blocks, meant for vacation feeding, don't work either. All they do is foul up your tank.
Feeding blocks, meant for vacation feeding, don't work either. All they do is foul up your tank.
OP
OP
Labenator65000
Aquarium Advice FINatic
OK thanks to you both for the quick response!
NyteGTI
Aquarium Advice FINatic
just fyi not all feeders "overfeed". mine on the lowest setting drops in like 5 1mm pellets.. and the highest probably 1.5 teaspoons and there's like 8 settings between.
LyndaB
Aquarium Advice Addict
If you have found a feeder that you trust, by all means list the product name so that others can benefit from your positive experience. 
NyteGTI
Aquarium Advice FINatic
and to answer your question, no it's not required they wont starve.. but they could become additionally aggressive due to hunger and lack of food and thats what I try to cover my bases on. not so much for their nutritional value.
I'd rather come home to happy fish then fish tearing eachother apart.
I'd rather come home to happy fish then fish tearing eachother apart.
NyteGTI
Aquarium Advice FINatic
This is the one I'm talknig about.
I'd never heard of it and like you I questioned auto feeders. it's been running for 2 weeks now in my tank and I couldn't be happier. the only problem is setting up the feeding time requires you to turn the feeder on at the time you want to feed daily, twice a day(8 hrs apart) or 3 times/day(6 hours apart). it's not too bad.
watch ill come home to it broken now lol
I'd never heard of it and like you I questioned auto feeders. it's been running for 2 weeks now in my tank and I couldn't be happier. the only problem is setting up the feeding time requires you to turn the feeder on at the time you want to feed daily, twice a day(8 hrs apart) or 3 times/day(6 hours apart). it's not too bad.
watch ill come home to it broken now lol
LyndaB
Aquarium Advice Addict
That's definitely different than what my husband had. Thanks for posting the link.
