Vacation and Fish

[PaulineMi]

I've left the fish for a week or two in the past. I know how to prepare for that and to have them very lightly fed a couple of times while I'm gone.  This time we're possibly going to be gone around three weeks.

If I do the usual pre-vacation daily water changes and have a friend feed them lightly once a week while I'm gone will that be okay?  Also, are the sponge filters enough? I have some big HOBS and a couple of canister filters if it's necessary to increase filtration.  I could add purigen to help with the water quality.

The fish are six angels in a lightly planted 75, six discus in a bare 75 and four angels in a lightly planted 90.  The angel tanks also have a scattering of "left over" one inch sized fish and some small pleco species. I'm sure that the CPDs in the 10 gallon tank will do fine snacking on cherry shrimplets while we're gone.

[Mugwump]

I've left the fish for a week or two in the past. I know how to prepare for that and to have them very lightly fed a couple of times while I'm gone.  This time we're possibly going to be gone around three weeks.

If I do the usual pre-vacation daily water changes and have a friend feed them lightly once a week while I'm gone will that be okay?  Also, are the sponge filters enough? I have some big HOBS and a couple of canister filters if it's necessary to increase filtration.  I could add purigen to help with the water quality.

The fish are six angels in a lightly planted 75, six discus in a bare 75 and four angels in a lightly planted 90.  The angel tanks also have a scattering of "left over" one inch sized fish and some small pleco species. I'm sure that the CPDs in the 10 gallon tank will do fine snacking on cherry shrimplets while we're gone.

I think as long as they're fed 'lightly'...you'll be fine....if you have one that you feel might be overstocked?...a fresh HOB couldn't hurt...

[BillT]

A larger filter should not be required if your fish are only being fed lightly and infrequently.

Primarily, filter sizing is based on the amount of nitrogenous waste to be processed (ammonia --> nitrite --> nitrate).
The source of nitrogenous waste is mostly protein content of food.
The number of fish doesn't matter since they will only be able to make waste from the food they are fed. Bacteria and snails could also do that.

If the filter also provides aeration that might be different, however oxygen use also parallels, to some extent, food availability.

[Mugwump]

A larger filter should not be required if your fish are only being fed lightly and infrequently.

Primarily, filter sizing is based on the amount of nitrogenous waste to be processed (ammonia --> nitrite --> nitrate).
The source of nitrogenous waste is mostly protein content of food.
The number of fish doesn't matter since they will only be able to make waste from the food they are fed. Bacteria and snails could also do that.

If the filter also provides aeration that might be different, however oxygen use also parallels, to some extent, food availability.

...key words were...."if she fells a tank is a tad bit over stocked?"....and an extra filter can't hurt, she's talking 3+ weeks?....

[PaulineMi]

Thanks.  No over stocking issues. Now I can rest assured that there's no fish neglect while I'm gone. 

[Mugwump]

..did you see all those manatees crowding around?....

See ya soon....