How To Take Care Of Fish When On Vacation

Leaving your beloved fish behind while you embark on a well-deserved vacation can be a source of worry for any aquarist. The thought of your finned friends going hungry or their aquatic haven falling into disarray can dampen the excitement of your trip. But fret not! With a bit of planning and preparation, you can ensure your fish are well cared for in your absence, allowing you to enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps on how to take care of fish when on vacation. We'll explore strategies for maintaining water quality, providing adequate nutrition, and ensuring a safe and stress-free environment for your fish while you're away. These tips and tricks will help you address the question of what to do with pet fish while on vacation, allowing you to return home to a thriving aquatic community.

Use auto fish feeder 

• What is it: An automatic fish feeder is a battery-powered or electric device that dispenses food into your aquarium at pre-programmed times, ensuring your fish are fed even when you're not around. 
• Why it helps: It eliminates the need for someone to physically feed and take care of your fish while you're away on vacation, reducing the risk of overfeeding or underfeeding.
• How to do it: Fill the feeder with the appropriate amount of food, set the feeding schedule, and install it securely above your aquarium.
• Tips: Test the feeder before your trip to ensure it's dispensing the correct amount of food. Consider using a moisture-resistant food to prevent clumping and clogging.

Add carbon to the filter 

• What is it: Activated carbon is a porous material that absorbs dissolved organic compounds, medications, and other impurities from water.
• Why it helps: It improves water quality and clarity for your fish, reducing the risk of harmful substances building up while you're away.
• How to do it: Place a carbon pad or loose carbon granules in your aquarium tank filter's media compartment before you go on vacation.
• Tips: Replace the carbon every few weeks, as its effectiveness diminishes over time. Avoid using carbon if you're dosing fertilisers, as it can absorb them.
  

Set a timer for your lighting

• What is it: A timer allows you to automate your aquarium lights, turning them on and off at specific times.
• Why it helps: It ensures your plants receive adequate light for photosynthesis and helps maintain a natural day-night cycle for your fish.
• How to do it: Plug your aquarium lights into a timer before you go on vacation and set the desired on/off times.
• Tips: Choose a timer with a battery backup in case of a power outage. Consider adjusting the light duration based on the care needs of your plants and fish. 

Get help from neighbour or relatives nearby as fish sitters 

• What is it: If you'll be away on vacation for an extended period or have a complex aquarium setup, enlisting the help of a trusted neighbour or relative as a fish sitter can provide additional peace of mind. A fish sitter is someone who can check on your aquarium, feed and take care of your fish, and perform basic maintenance tasks while you're away.
• Why it helps: They can address any unexpected issues even when you’re vacationing, such as equipment malfunctions or sick fish, ensuring your aquatic pets receive prompt care.
• How to do it: Provide clear instructions on feeding schedules, water changes, and any other necessary tasks. Leave contact information for your veterinarian or a knowledgeable aquarist in case of emergencies.
• Tips: Offer to reciprocate the favour or provide compensation for their help. 

Use a vacation feeder 

• What is it: Vacation feeders are blocks or tablets of compressed food that slowly dissolve in water, providing a continuous source of nutrients for your fish.
• Why it helps: They offer a convenient and mess-free way to take care of feeding your fish for short trips, typically up to a week.
• How to do it: Place the vacation feeder in your aquarium, following the manufacturer's instructions for the appropriate size and number of feeders based on your tank size and fish population.
• Tips: Choose a vacation feeder that is suitable for the type of fish you have. Avoid overfeeding, as uneaten food can decompose and affect water quality. 

Put live feed into the aquarium 

• What is it: Live food consists of small aquatic organisms that serve as a nutritious and stimulating food source for many fish species. Examples such as daphnia or brine shrimp, can provide a natural and engaging feeding experience for your fish while you're away vacationing.

• Why it helps: It encourages natural foraging behaviour and provides a varied diet for your fish.

• How to do it: Add a small culture of live food to your aquarium before you leave. The population will reproduce and provide a continuous food source for your fish.

• Tips: Choose live food that is appropriate for the size and dietary needs of your fish. Monitor the population to ensure it doesn't overwhelm your aquarium.

Don’t clean the tank before going on vacation

• What is it: Performing a major tank cleaning right before your vacation can disrupt the delicate balance of your aquarium ecosystem. Avoid performing large water changes or deep cleaning your filter media immediately before your vacation.
• Why it helps: Major cleaning can remove beneficial bacteria and cause fluctuations in water parameters, potentially stressing your fish.
• How to do it: Perform a small water change a few days before you go on your vacation, and ensure your filter media is relatively clean.
• Tips: If your tank is heavily soiled, consider performing a partial water change a week or two before your departure to allow the ecosystem to stabilise.

Preparing your aquarium before going on vacation 

• Changing water: Perform a partial water change a few days before your departure. This will help remove any accumulated waste and replenish essential minerals, ensuring good water quality for your pet fish while you're gone.
• Clean the filter: Gently rinse your filter media to remove any excess debris, ensuring optimal filtration and water flow while you're away on vacation. Avoid replacing the filter media entirely, as this can disrupt the beneficial bacteria colonies that maintain water quality for your fish.
• Avoid adding new fish: Introducing new fish to your aquarium before a vacation can add stress to the existing ecosystem and increase the risk of disease outbreaks. It's best to postpone any new additions until after you return.
• Avoid doing major cleaning: Resist the urge to perform a major tank cleaning right before your vacation. As mentioned earlier, this can disrupt the delicate balance of your aquarium and potentially harm your fish.
• Make sure all equipment and timer works well: Test all your aquarium equipment, including filters, heaters, lights, and any automated feeders or timers. Ensure everything is functioning correctly to prevent any malfunctions while you're away.

FAQ about Taking Care Of Fish When On Vacation

Should I leave my fish tank light on while on vacation? 

While fish don't necessarily need light to survive, maintaining a consistent light cycle is crucial for taking care of their overall health and the well-being of any live plants in your aquarium. Leaving your underwater LED aquarium lights on continuously when on vacation can lead to algae overgrowth and disrupt the natural day-night rhythm of your fish. It's best to use a timer to mimic a natural light cycle, ensuring your fish and plants receive adequate light without causing any imbalances.

How long can fish last without food? 

Healthy adult fish can typically survive for a week or two without food, depending on their species, size, and metabolism. However, it's not ideal to leave them without food for extended periods. Consider using an automatic feeder, vacation feeder, or live food to take care of them and provide sustenance in your absence.

Is it okay not to feed fish through my vacation period? 

While pet fish can go without food for a short period, it's generally not recommended to leave them completely unfed during your vacation, especially if you'll be gone for more than a few days. Lack of food can lead to stress, weakened immune systems, and even aggression among your fish. Utilise the various feeding options discussed earlier to ensure your fish are well taken care of and receive adequate nutrition while you're away.