| The first order of business should be to figure out | | | | so that the person who helps you out simply has |
| how to feed the fish while you're away. You may | | | | to follow directions for daily feeding, and you don't |
| be surprised to discover that fish can survive for | | | | have to worry about the possibility of your fish |
| long periods of time (several weeks) without | | | | overeating. |
| food. In the wild, fish can't always find food on a | | | | For saltwater aquariums, someone may have to |
| regular basis, so they have adapted to live in | | | | empty the skimmer collection cup as it fills with |
| conditions of scarcity. If you're only going away | | | | gunk and starts to smell. Or, you can adjust the |
| for a week or two, feeding your fish isn't | | | | collection cup before you leave to collect less |
| necessarily something you have to worry about. | | | | protein for a few weeks. |
| Actually, when you come home the aquarium | | | | If you're going away for longer than two weeks, |
| may be cleaner than when you left because the | | | | asking for help from someone you know and |
| fish produced little waste during your vacation. | | | | trust is a necessity because even if the fish are |
| Automatic Feeders | | | | being fed properly, the quality of the tank water |
| Many people are afraid to leave their fish without | | | | needs to be maintained. |
| food for an extended period of time, no matter | | | | Maintenance - Before you leave |
| what the experts say. This is when an automatic | | | | Prior to leaving, do a partial water change to clean |
| food feeder comes in handy. These devices are | | | | the water out and ensure that your fish don't |
| designed to release food at specified intervals | | | | become stressed and stay healthy while you're |
| automatically. Automatic feeders are affordable | | | | away. This also ensures that water levels remain |
| and you can use them throughout the year as | | | | at an acceptable place during your absence. Even |
| well. Fill the feeder with any type of food you | | | | with a high rate of evaporation, the tank will be |
| want (tropical fish flakes or pellet food) and it's | | | | tolerable until you return. |
| ready to go. Automatic feeders last for a few | | | | It's also a good idea to rinse out the filters and |
| weeks before needing a refill. Most of these | | | | make necessary replacements. |
| devices let you adjust the amount of food that's | | | | What about the lighting? A simple solution is to |
| released each time, and are battery-operated. | | | | purchase a light timer that will turn on and off |
| Another idea is to ask friends, family, or neighbors | | | | automatically so that everything in your aquarium |
| to feed the fish for you. Divide the amount of | | | | receives the proper amount of light to stay |
| food your fish will need each day into containers | | | | healthy and alive. |