What to do for 9 days...

[Chad Hughes]

I'm leaving Wednesday night for a wedding in North Carolina and I'll be gone for 9 days. Normally I would just leave my discus on a once a day automatic feeder. Being that these are contest fish, I'm looking for some input on what might be the best way to deal with this 9 days off of diet time.

Any input would be helpful!

Thanks in advance!

[seanyuki]

Hi Chad,

Do a massive water change b4 leaving on the trip....set the auto feeder with only one very small feeding per day.....less pollution and better water quality while you are away.....just my 2 cents.

[Chad Hughes]

Francis,

Thank you for the feedback! I guess I should have mentioned that I was going to knock out a 100% water change prior to leaving. I was thinking along the same lines as you in regards to the feeding. Although I do not change water daily, going 9 days is pushing things. I've gone 14 in the past, but that was me being here to make sure I didn't kill anything. LOL!

Best wishes!

[seanyuki]

Hi Chad,

Forgot to ask.....is it BB tank or planted tank?....might need some minor adjustment.....perhaps others could add their opinions too,

[Chad Hughes]

Well one is the contest tank and the other is a similar 150 planted. Both are extremely stable.

[calihawker]

I think you're gonna be just fine with a big w/c before you leave and one when you get back. It's only a couple days beyond your normal routine and you'll be feeding less.

[Chad Hughes]

That is true. Thanks for your input Steve!

[Eddie]

I agree with Steve, since you do feed more times a day and it is only gonna be for a few days more, you should be golden. In fact, I would push 2 feeds a day since you won't be using any mixes which surely impact water quality a little bit more than dry foods.

Just my opinion,

Eddie

[poconogal]

I've been away for 15 days with no problem. Did a few large WCs right before I left, set the autofeeder to feed lightly once a day and when I got home all was well. Did a few more big WCs then.

[Chad Hughes]

Eddie & Connie,

Thank you for your inputs. I think I'm going to settle on a 100% water change the day that I leave and I'll set the feeder for morning and afternoon feedings. I'm hoping that the feeder will not run out of food. Typically with two auto feedings per day (normally) the feeder is just about out on day 7. On the 150 I'm going to do the same. Hopefully this won't impact the growth of the fish too much. This is a competition after all! LOL!

Thanks again for all the great inputs!

Best wishes!

[Eddie]

Eddie & Connie,

Thank you for your inputs. I think I'm going to settle on a 100% water change the day that I leave and I'll set the feeder for morning and afternoon feedings. I'm hoping that the feeder will not run out of food. Typically with two auto feedings per day (normally) the feeder is just about out on day 7. On the 150 I'm going to do the same. Hopefully this won't impact the growth of the fish too much. This is a competition after all! LOL!

Thanks again for all the great inputs!

Best wishes!

I think they will be fine Chad, for sure.

I've done a few 2 week stints and left my juvies with one feed a day, no waterchanges and those are the big fish I got now! Straight from Forrest!

All the best and have a nice trip!

Eddie

[Chad Hughes]

I think they will be fine Chad, for sure.

I've done a few 2 week stints and left my juvies with one feed a day, no waterchanges and those are the big fish I got now! Straight from Forrest!

All the best and have a nice trip!

Eddie

Eddie,

Good to know! Thanks for that. I'll also be asking the other contestants to do the same while I am away. LOL! Yeah right! You have to keep things fair, right? LOL!

This trip should be interesting. I'll be attending a wedding for a girl that I have known for years. The guy that she is marrying is a complete "DB". I'm curious how long it will take for me to open my mouth and say something I'll regret. I'll have to try and stay somewhat sober. LOL! I guess as long as she is happy....

Best wishes!

[poconogal]

Eddie & Connie,

Thank you for your inputs. I think I'm going to settle on a 100% water change the day that I leave and I'll set the feeder for morning and afternoon feedings. I'm hoping that the feeder will not run out of food. Typically with two auto feedings per day (normally) the feeder is just about out on day 7. On the 150 I'm going to do the same. Hopefully this won't impact the growth of the fish too much. This is a competition after all! LOL!

Thanks again for all the great inputs!

Best wishes!

It'll be fine. Oh, I do several WCs before and after only because I keep my WCs to 50%-60% so that my PH remains stable in my tank. I don't normally do daily WCs, so before leaving, I step up the WCs and do a few daily changes of 50%. Have a good trip and try not to be too hard on the DB, LOL!

[Chad Hughes]

Connie,

I'll only have time to knock out one 100% water change, so that will have to do. I'm starting with the 150 this eveing and will knock out the 110 challenge tank tomorrow. I think all will be fine as well.

Thanks for your help!

Best wishes!

[poconogal]

Wish I could do 100% WCs