Best way to feed my fish while on vacation without having someone to do it???

[Toneloc66]

Just want to know what everyone else out there is doing? I tried those 3 to 5 day fish feeders, that are white and dissolve, while I was home and I didnt really see my fish eating that stuff. They still seemed hungry after a day, so I fed them. I only feed my fish frozen food. Im not sure how they would take flakes and or pellets while Im gone. I really dont have anyone that can come and feed my fish for me either. Soooooo, What else can I do to ensure my fish arent starving for a week, two weeks? Thanks.

 

[Sk8r]

One week in a well established tank, no problem not feeding. You could also try installing a mega-dose of copepods or other live food prior to departure, or having someone come in just once and do it. (If you do, have the food pre-measured: NEvER trust a neighbor to 'just feed them a little.'] You don't mention size of fish or type. Our nanofish (ywg/chromis/mandarin/firefish) would happily chow down on copepods for a week, no problem. Algae eaters, again, no problem. Carnivores---hope the copepods hold out.

 

[Toneloc66]

Thanks. Its a 120gl Fish Only tank.

1. Purcupine puffer
2. Hula Trigger
3. Two tangs
4. 3 damsels
5. Wrasse
6. Percula clown

I havent done corals lately ( been too busy with work ). Any one else have any ideas? Would they eat the pellets or flakes after a few days of not eating at all? Again, I dont have access for a neighbor to feed them. Thanks.

 

[blmeier7]

I think they would be fine for a week without food. Two weeks...it could be risky. If they are hungry enough I think they would eat the pellets.

You might see if a LFS has baby mollies another saltwater feeder fish that is small enough for your carnivores to eat and maybe they would last a few days by hiding in the rocks.

You might be able to tightly pack enough seaweed around a rock and rubberband it tightly for the tangs, which might last them a day or two.

 

[Thurge]

best way I have found to deal with neighbors feedig fish is to freeze up Ice cubes with one or one half feeding in a cube.

 

[Live_Rock'r]

Totally with you on not having anyone feed them. I just got back from a week vacation and had my mom house sit. She asked me what to feed my 100 gal FOWLR and I pointed to three jugs of freshwater for evaporation. Way to many mistakes happen in the care of someone that doesn't know what's going on with the delicate nature of a small fish tank. If you have a lot of rock, I would fill the tank to the brim with water and clip a big piece of nori to a clip before you leave. I think they will be fine.

 

[mjdlonghorn]

I have experience with autofeeders. I can say that you should not plan on feeding your fish on flakes or pellets. The fish wont eat them and they quickly pollute the tank. It is also difficult to figure how often the machine should dispense food. Very few of my fish take flakes after they have been raised on frozen mysis.

My giant maroon clown would rather starve than eat flakes.
You might want to consider freeze dried shrimp and krill instead of flakes.