Vacation-Proofing Your Aquarium: A Guide to Hassle-Free Care While You're Away
With the holiday season coming up, we’ve gotten many questions about how to care for your aquarium while away on vacation. There are many ways to keep your aquarium safe and sound while you're away, so read on and pick a method that works for you!
Method 1: Hire a Professional
While other methods work, none are as safe and assuring than hiring a professional. Tridents Cove works with your schedule to make sure you enjoy your vacation stress-free. Give us a call and we will come over for a consultation to create a plan best suited for you and your aquarium.
Method 2: Skip Feeding
If your aquatic inhabitants don’t need to eat everyday and your trip is short, consider skipping their meal while you’re gone. Remember, fish don’t consistently eat in the wild! This method is only safe for healthy fish; do not attempt with fye, medicated fish, constant or live consumers such as seahorses, or if you’re gone longer than a week.
Method 3: Automatic Feeders
Automatic feeders are convenient and efficient, but have their drawbacks. If you’re going the auto-route, choose a feeder that doesn’t over-feed. Many hobbyists don’t test their auto-feeder days before their trip and come back to an algae bloom due to overconsumption. If you do your research, these can be very handy! We do not recommend time release blocks due to their tendency to cause ammonia spikes, inconsistent dissolving, and lack of proper nutrients.
Method 4: Live Feeders
If you have picky eaters and are unable to use any of the previous methods, consider stocking your aquarium with live feeders before you leave. This allows for your inhabitants to graze at their own rate without any residual effects.
Pre-Vacation Preparation
It’s a general rule of thumb to do a water change and general cleaning a week before you leave to ensure that there will be no water parameter swings while you are away. Make sure to thoroughly clean out your filter and plumbing to eliminate the chance of clogs. Consider installing a timer so your lights will automatically turn on and off and an ATO so your water is always topped off. By taking these precautions, your aquarium should be ready for you to enjoy when you come home!