I am going on a very last minute holiday. I have no one to come in to check on my fish. I cannot afford to pay someone to come in every day. I have bought some of those holiday blocks so they're fed more than enough while I'm away but I'm worried about leaving the lights off for a week. It's better than leaving them on, yes? I don't want to (cant afford anyway) buy an automatic light switch thingy as I'm worried about it starting a fire while I'm away , or tripping the switch and all the elec goes off, which means filter/bubbler etc!! And, it's going to be especially warm while I'm away, 30 degrees celcius and I don't know how to keep my tank cool as usually, Im here, with a big fan on them, with the lid off and checking constantly to make sure the snails havent escaped! And sometimes putting little bags of ice in to gradually cool them down.
I'm close to cancelling the holiday at the this point which is going to cause all sorts of issues as it was bought for me and the kids as a present
I have 2 normal young goldfish. About 1 1/4 inches (body) in length. And an 80 litre tank.
Does anyone have any advice? Will they be okay do you think? With the lights off but leaving the blinds up in the kitchen. No direct sunlight but enough that I usually don't need to leave my kitchen lights on during the day.
And will they be okay in 30 degree C outside? Usually when it's that hot, the tank can get up to about 27 degrees before I start trying to gradually cool it down.
Holiday, lights on or off? And how to keep him cool?
- VikingMummy2015
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Lights off, blinds down (generally keeps a room cooler). They don’t mind the dark. And for a week, you don’t even need to feed them (those blocks cause more issues by adding too much waste). Do a large water change just before you go, should be good.
240L Fluval Roma with Oase 600 Biomaster: 1 German red bristlenose, 4 male cherry barbs, 6 standard rummynose, 3 golden rummynose tetra, 9 emperor tetra, 14 cardinal tetra, 2 hengeli rasbora, 3 nerite snails, 1 adult Sulawesi snail and multiple juveniles continually appearing.
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Fish fiend since October 2017.
Parameters: gH2, kH1, pH7.4 (tap).
Fish fiend since October 2017.
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I use the little smart/wifi plugs, you get an app for your phone so that you can put a schedule in place or just switch them on and off on your phone (or alexa or similar). They are normally about 2 for £15 give or take a couple of quid. They work great for the light.
Also, agree with Viking, if its lights on or off the off is the best way to go and if your tank is established and not over stocked then feeding shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Also, agree with Viking, if its lights on or off the off is the best way to go and if your tank is established and not over stocked then feeding shouldn't be too much of an issue.
- fr499y
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They will be fine. Give it a water change before you go and don't use the holiday block ( as already said )
- Stephen
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I totally agree with the above.
Lights off, water change and feed before you go (no holiday block).
Have a nice break
Lights off, water change and feed before you go (no holiday block).
Have a nice break
425L SeaBray Elite aquarium - Rio Mamoré (Bolivia) theme
4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 12 x Cory sterbai 51 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)
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4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 12 x Cory sterbai 51 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)
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Thank you all so much. I feel so much better about leaving them. I decided to experiment today, turned their light off and closed the blinds and it has kept the tank at around 24 degrees. (its 35 outside!) Usually I have all the windows and doors open for the breeze but this way keeps it much cooler! I'll make sure to not put the food blocks in and to also do a what, 30% water change before I go?
- fr499y
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Your normal weekly water change if its 20% do that, if its 30% do that.
- Ric
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Also, if you are in the UK, it'll be cooler from tomorrow, so temperature should be even less of a worry.
Enjoy your holiday!
Enjoy your holiday!
- plankton
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Have a nice holiday.
I never bother about lights or feeding if I go away.
I never bother about lights or feeding if I go away.