Leaving the tank

[ChimpAndy]

So after splitting with my ex and having to sell my last tank and temporarily move back in with my parents. I'm now close to completing the purchase of my next house and there is a spot just crying out for a nice big tank! My problem is this though, I work away 2 weeks on 2 weeks off...... Now I'm pretty sure that I know the answer and its not the 1 I want to hear, but is it possible to leave a tank for 2 weeks every month? lights set on a timer, an automatic feeder and a good water change before and after my trip away? what are peoples experiences with automated tanks?

I'm aware that the larger the tank then the more forgiving it is with regards to the water quality. Would a tropical or marine tank fair better being left for 2 weeks at a time?

I would really appreciate any advice that I get, I really loved my old tank And I would love to have another one but I'm just not sure that its doable now there is nobody to look after it while I'm away.

Cheers
Chimp

[Jon_D]

I read part of a thread on this Forum last year, where a member went on holiday for 2 weeks and simply left the fish to deal with it. They all survived fine and in addition he stated that he had never seen his tank so clean! Hopefully some member will point you to that thread.

[MasonJ19]

2 weeks isn't actually too long. Larger water changes can be done every 2 weeks easy enough some people do that anyway instead of weekly. Not to sure how reliable automatic feeders are I have never personally used one. I would say its different going on holiday for 2 weeks once every year to sort of every months in terms of leaving fish without food. But water quality can easily be maintained being left 2 weeks. But like you said more volume of water means more stable parameters.

[keithmart]

Hi

Some years ago a neighbour near me died, and 12 months later the local council had cause to enter the property. Inside was a three foot tropical tank, complete with fish and all seemed ok. I doubt that two weeks would cause a problem. This tank didn't even have a water change.

[Staffylover]

My 2 main tanks will be on a 2 week Rota for water changes once they settle down, certainly you want a larger tank to do this, also check the hardness of the water if it's very soft this might cause more of an issue with unstable parameters, the feeding might be more of a worry as those large blocks risk polluting the water, if it was me I would pay a pet sitter to stop in a couple of times just check things are ok and put some food in, around here that's likely to cost around £10 so not a bank breaker, good luck with the new place

[plankton]

Check the KH of the water.
If it's below 4 then you may get problems with ph and hardness swings, if above you should be ok (as above).
Water change before you go and then when you get back should be ok.
Don't get anything that will eat other fish though as you could come home to a tank with just one fish in.

[PaulVerrall]

Can you not just find a new bird? Problem solved

[ChimpAndy]

Thanks everyone for your inputs! I'm thinking of going for a decent sized tropical aquarium and heavily planting it and not going over the top with the fish to keep the water consistent. Maybe just a couple of larger centre piece fish (something hardy) or a Betta I will have a look at some auto feeders for while I'm away but would probably pay someone to pop in twice a week until I'm confident in the system.

Can you not just find a new bird? Problem solved

Haha give me some time to enjoy single life! the new house is a definite bachelor pad

[algae]

I don't think you will have any problems operating your tank on a 2wk rotor system as far as water parameters are concerned but auto feeders rely on hard pellet type food and some are effected by condensation and jam up so I would certainly try and get someone to help out. You could try a feeder and test it for 2 wks under similar conditions it will left and see how it goes.

[cdelly]

The biggest problem for leaving a tank for 2 weeks is evaporation, if your parents can top when needed (prepare the water before hand) then would be fine

have used auto feeders and found eheim one to be best, used flavel and was ok.

the fish will find food in the tank.

as long as you dont make any big changes (adding fish, new chems) you'll be fine

Cheers
Chris