[TheApprentice707]

Hey there, I am going on a week long vacation to Hawaii in the summer. I have 2 neon damsels and 2 clowns living in a tank. Everything has been perfect and the water tests great. I am not very comfortable with someone coming in and out of the apartment feeding the fish and maybe leaving the door unlocked. I have herd that the fish should be fine if I am gone for a week only but what should I do? Water change before I leave? Feed a big meal right before I leave but just make sure that they eat all of it?

thanks!

-JON

[leebca]

There are some automatic feeders you can try to supply some dry foods while you're away. I don't like any of the dry processed foods like flakes or pellets, but they can be used for such an event and then not used after that.

You should try it out and see it working before you leave so you know it will continue.

Considering all the things that can go wrong, having someone come and go in your home could be the least of your concerns. I have a neighbor that takes care of my fish and aquarists a phone call away should the neighbor see something amiss.

Almost every concern can be addressed -- it is just how much you want to address it, that matters. Install alarms, use backup people, get a close friend or relative, etc.

You might pick up some ideas from this thread:
How to Feed Your Fish Throughout the Day

As far as overfeeding the day of departure (or the night before), it usually does more harm than good. A real risk of pollution exists and that will occur when you are away. Not good timing. Keeping things steady is a good idea, even if there is a cold halt to feeding.

Properly nourished and healthy fish can live a few weeks without eating. I can't say how healthy or how well nourished your fish are, so I can't recommend you (or anyone) totally stop feeding their fish.

A water change two days before you leave should be as close to the departure as you'd want to go. You want a couple days to verify the water change went properly.

[TheApprentice707]

Thanks Lee! I really appreciate it. One of my friends (who also works in my apartment complex as a maintenance guy) worked at a fish store for a couple years and has a 50 gallon salt tank. He already has a key (since he works here) and I will ask him to come in ONCE during the week and do a small feeding of frozen food. I will do more research first too. thanks!!!