Vacation and tanks

[Winter-huntsman]

So just got back from a trip to key west and had to do a massive tank cleaning. Every time me and my family go on vacation algae takes over my tank. I had a person come over and feed the fish plus add water so the filter would work.
What I was wondering was how you guys keep your tanks clean when you are not around to do constant maintenance.


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[Sniperhank]

Isn't much one can do. It also depends on the length of the trip. For anything less than a week, it'd only be top off water. No feeding or anything.

 

[Winter-huntsman]

Ok so what is a fine feeding regime anyways? I feed a little every two days. I wonder if that is what cause my algae problems.


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[Sniperhank]

Vacation and a feeding schedule aren't the same thing. If I leave for a week, I feed before I go. I'll feed when I get back.
The time between your normal feedings is fine. The amount and water source can lead you down that road. This is why I don't want anyone but myself to feed the tank. A pinch of something is different for me than it would be for you, or anyone watching your tank.

 

[Winter-huntsman]

Ok thanks for the advise.


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[54seaweed]

the best thing to do is teach the person who will be caring for your fish proper feeding portions , what you can do is add what you feed to your fish into baggies marked for each feeding . so they cant over feed everything would be regulated ,

there is no reason why your tank should accumulate algae in a week , if your care taker follows your guidelines correctly. explain your lighting regimen not to leave lights on 24/7.

so you don't need anyone while your gone my suggestion on this would be put lights on a timer so you know how long your lights are on . as for evaporation you need to invest in auto feed water tank that fills your tank as needed. one of the best investments I ever made.

hank said this best feed when you leave and when you get back , As long as you have a well established tank your fish will find many types of natural foods like pods and other critters algae in the rocks even snails and hermits even small worms , fish will use instinct to find food like they do in the wild . so no real need to stress out for a week .