Originally Posted by
ericatdallas
Whatever you do, do not stop on the water changes to prepare for it... then you're just double exposing them to the nasty water. You're better off with leaving a super-clean tank the day before you leave and then clean it again on the same day you leave. They'll be fine that way.
Also, don't feed them the day before you leave. They're fish... they'll make it without food for a day.
BTW, I didn't clean my fish tank for 3.5 days and I ended up with Ammonia readings of 2ppm and nitrates of 10ppm. That was with the usual feedings, so it can build up fast. Just done feed. If you insist on doing it, try to set your feeder to feed maybe every couple of days instead...