How To Prepare An Aquarium For Longer Abscence

We are going on a planned vacation with the children, and our aquarium stays at home. How to prepare the tank for our long absence? Let’s mention some tips that may help you with such a situation.

It is worth looking around for friends and family who could possibly keep an eye on the condition of the aquarium. Even a person with an untrained eye can notice disturbing changes. Most often it happens that, unfortunately, no one is able to help us and we have to rely on ourselves.

If the break in care does not last longer than a few days (in large tanks, the fish can cope with even 2 weeks without a guardian), we do not have to worry about our pupils. Most of all, tetras will be hungry, but if they are healthy - they will survive such a break.

The problem begins with relatively small aquariums (e.g. up to about 72l). Here, it is inadvisable to leave the tank for more than 10 days. The smaller the liter capacity, the more difficult it is to maintain water stability.

What to do before leaving?

-For sure it is worth doing a standard water change just before your holiday by the sea. Nothing to spare, no more and no less than we usually do (30% just right). You may also rinse the internal and external filter, remembering not to replace all cartridges with new ones. You should also remember about desilting the bottom.

-If we are dealing with an open aquarium - it is worth covering it with a cover so that a significant part of the water does not evaporate, especially in the summer period. At the same time, it should be allowed to "breathe" so that the temperature of the tank does not get too high.

-If possible, darken the room with the aquarium. It is worth turning off the light for the period of our trip, and at the same time do not set an automatic feeder for fish.

-You will run a greater risk by leaving the fluorescent lamp on as it will be difficult to predict algae bloom. Food restriction will result in less ammonia contamination which may result in a stable maintenance of water quality throughout the absence.

-Turn on as much aeration of the aquarium tank as possible and keep your fingers crossed for your pupils. :)