Vacation Feeding

[Ashi]

Hi,

I am going on vacation for about six weeks, and trying to figure out a
way to feed my five goldfish (2"-3") in a 55 gallon tank running one
Emperor 400 and one Emperor 280 filters. This is the first time I
will be away for this long. I have asked a friend to look after my
fish, but the best he can do is to come by once every two weeks. I
currently have a Eheim feeder, but it doesn't work very well. My fish
only eat flakes (I tried palettes, but it just accumulates on the
aquarium floor), and the feeder seems have problem dispensing flake
food. So, here are my questions:

1. Can anyone recommend a good feeder that can possibly feed for two
weeks on one fill?

2. Should I be using any of the white pyramid things?

I will be running the light and filter using a UPS. I would
appreciate any other comments and suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Ashi

[Dinky]

"Ashi" > wrote in message
om...
|
| 1. Can anyone recommend a good feeder that can possibly feed for
two
| weeks on one fill?

I have a Penn-Plax "Daily Double II" that hasn't failed me yet, so
long as the flakes aren't too large. I fill it every 2 weeks.

|
| 2. Should I be using any of the white pyramid things?
|
Those things make a mess. I have used them, but I generally end up
doing a really good vac and water change, a good portion of the
"food" just sinks into the sub and rots.


| I will be running the light and filter using a UPS. I would
| appreciate any other comments and suggestions.
|

You could ask at your LFS. They may be willing to send someone out
every couple days, but you'll pay for it. One of my local LFS will do
this.


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[Geezer From The Freezer]

Ashi wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I am going on vacation for about six weeks, and trying to figure out a
> way to feed my five goldfish (2"-3") in a 55 gallon tank running one
> Emperor 400 and one Emperor 280 filters. This is the first time I
> will be away for this long. I have asked a friend to look after my
> fish, but the best he can do is to come by once every two weeks. I
> currently have a Eheim feeder, but it doesn't work very well. My fish
> only eat flakes (I tried palettes, but it just accumulates on the
> aquarium floor), and the feeder seems have problem dispensing flake
> food. So, here are my questions:

One thing I would suggest is to leave lights on for a LONG time before you
go - this will build up algae which is good for removing nitrates and
for the fish to feed on - its unsightly but healthy
Also lower the temperature (lower it slowly) - this will reduce your fishies
metabolisms.

Also, get lots of plants in there. You'll need someone to feed your fish
every few days (in general goldies can go upto 2 weeks without food).

[Charles]

On 5 Jun 2004 18:00:14 -0700, (Ashi) wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I am going on vacation for about six weeks, and trying to figure out a
>way to feed my five goldfish (2"-3") in a 55 gallon tank running one
>Emperor 400 and one Emperor 280 filters. This is the first time I
>will be away for this long. I have asked a friend to look after my
>fish, but the best he can do is to come by once every two weeks. I
>currently have a Eheim feeder, but it doesn't work very well. My fish
>only eat flakes (I tried palettes, but it just accumulates on the
>aquarium floor), and the feeder seems have problem dispensing flake
>food. So, here are my questions:
>
>1. Can anyone recommend a good feeder that can possibly feed for two
>weeks on one fill?
>
>2. Should I be using any of the white pyramid things?
>
>I will be running the light and filter using a UPS. I would
>appreciate any other comments and suggestions.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Ashi


I would not feed. I've left my fish for two months without feeding
them (out of country trip, the person who was to take care didn't show
up)

I let the pond fish go for two years, breaking their habit of coming
to the top when they saw something. I had a cat problem at the time.
--

- Charles
-
-does not play well with others

[Dick]

On Mon, 07 Jun 2004 09:03:30 GMT, Charles >
wrote:

>On 5 Jun 2004 18:00:14 -0700, (Ashi) wrote:
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>I am going on vacation for about six weeks, and trying to figure out a
>>way to feed my five goldfish (2"-3") in a 55 gallon tank running one
>>Emperor 400 and one Emperor 280 filters. This is the first time I
>>will be away for this long. I have asked a friend to look after my
>>fish, but the best he can do is to come by once every two weeks. I
>>currently have a Eheim feeder, but it doesn't work very well. My fish
>>only eat flakes (I tried palettes, but it just accumulates on the
>>aquarium floor), and the feeder seems have problem dispensing flake
>>food. So, here are my questions:
>>
>>1. Can anyone recommend a good feeder that can possibly feed for two
>>weeks on one fill?
>>
>>2. Should I be using any of the white pyramid things?
>>
>>I will be running the light and filter using a UPS. I would
>>appreciate any other comments and suggestions.
>>
>>Thanks in advance.
>>
>>Ashi
>
>
>I would not feed. I've left my fish for two months without feeding
>them (out of country trip, the person who was to take care didn't show
>up)
>
>I let the pond fish go for two years, breaking their habit of coming
>to the top when they saw something. I had a cat problem at the time.

Interesting. What kind of fish? Goldfish? If so any idea how
tropical fish would react to long periods without food?

I have a large angelfish that is my pet. I practically feed her by
hand. Once, for over a month, she did not come for food. Otherwise
she appeared fine. One day she was back looking for a hand out.
Also, I have a Harlequin that developed a float bladder problem and
swims at a 45 degree angle all the time. I moved it to my quarantine
tank over a month ago. The fish even tries to get a flake of food in
its mouth. Again, I wonder what the fish is eating to stay alive?

Others have mentioned long periods of time without feeding. I wonder
what is keeping them alive and is it reliable enough to trust for
short vacations? My lights are on timers, so lighting is not a
problem. My filters go for months without attention. I only change
water once a week so evaporation is no problem.

Your post raises interesting questions. Thanks.

Dick

[Geezer From The Freezer]

Leaving Pond fish is different. They can feed on algae that is no cleaned
and also insect larvae and dead insects that hover the pond.

2 months for a goldfish could lead to death...it all depends on the
fish though. I'd advise against not feeding for 2 months.