Maintaining a healthy tank while on vacation

[Aurion]

I'm stressing about leavin my fish for 2 weeks, got some mates comin over to feed 'em but they know nothin about takin care of 'em. Is there anythin I can do befor I head out to make sure the tank stays healthy and nothin dies while I'm away?

[rusticfox]

Rig up them lights to a timer, that way you'll save some hassle. Also consider gettin an auto top up unit, it'll help keep the tank stable while you're away.

[aflux]

Having a timer for the lights and an ATO makes things way simpler for them - just feeding the fish according to a schedule you leave behind should be enough.

On the other hand, if you don't have those, you'll need to give them more detailed instructions.

Do a water change just before you leave, and it should be fine with just top-ups for the two weeks you're away.

[Aquari]

I'd recommend pre-portioning the food into small bags, that way your friends just need to tip one in each day. Biggest rookie mistake is overfeeding, which can quickly pollute the tank.

[zeno9]

I'd go with lights on a timer like Buddy mentioned. That way, you can scratch that off the list of things to worry about.

It's also a good idea to show whoever's taking care of your fish exactly how much food to add each time. You don't want them overfeeding and causing more harm than good.

To make things easier, draw a line on the side of your tank with a marker pen. If you've got a sump, even better. Just let them know that the tank needs to be topped up to that level with pure water every day. Leave the RO water right next to the tank so they can't miss it.

One more thing, consider setting up some security cameras. Not just to keep an eye on your fish, but also to make sure whoever's taking care of them isn't taking liberties with the rest of your home.

[fleeton]

Lights on timers and auto top-offs are lifesavers for a stress-free trip. I've found portioning out food in shot glasses is also super helpful.