| The first order of business should be to figure out | | | | the person who helps you out simply has to follow |
| how to feed the fish while you're away. You may be | | | | directions for daily feeding, and you don't have to |
| surprised to discover that fish can survive for long | | | | worry about the possibility of your fish overeating. |
| periods of time (several weeks) without food. In the | | | | For saltwater aquariums, someone may have to |
| wild, fish can't always find food on a regular basis, so | | | | empty the skimmer collection cup as it fills with gunk |
| they have adapted to live in conditions of scarcity. If | | | | and starts to smell. Or, you can adjust the collection |
| you're only going away for a week or two, feeding | | | | cup before you leave to collect less protein for a |
| your fish isn't necessarily something you have to | | | | few weeks. |
| worry about. Actually, when you come home the | | | | If you're going away for longer than two weeks, |
| aquarium may be cleaner than when you left because | | | | asking for help from someone you know and trust is |
| the fish produced little waste during your vacation. | | | | a necessity because even if the fish are being fed |
| Automatic Feeders | | | | properly, the quality of the tank water needs to be |
| Many people are afraid to leave their fish without | | | | 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 away. |
| automatically. Automatic feeders are affordable and | | | | This also ensures that water levels remain at an |
| you can use them throughout the year as well. Fill the | | | | acceptable place during your absence. Even with a |
| feeder with any type of food you want (tropical fish | | | | high rate of evaporation, the tank will be tolerable |
| flakes or pellet food) and it's ready to go. Automatic | | | | until you return. |
| feeders last for a few weeks before needing a refill. | | | | It's also a good idea to rinse out the filters and make |
| Most of these devices let you adjust the amount of | | | | necessary replacements. |
| food that's released each time, and are | | | | What about the lighting? A simple solution is to |
| battery-operated. | | | | purchase a light timer that will turn on and off |
| Another idea is to ask friends, family, or neighbors to | | | | automatically so that everything in your aquarium |
| feed the fish for you. Divide the amount of food | | | | receives the proper amount of light to stay healthy |
| your fish will need each day into containers so that | | | | and alive. |