Fish help - feeders for vacation

[skuttle]

This will be our first vacation since Santa brought DS his fish tank. We have a 6 gallon tank with zebra fish and neon tetras (nothing fancy!).

I've been looking at some vacation feeders at PetCo and Pet's Mart. I found one that is for a 10 gallon tank and lasts 7 days. My concern is I only have a 6 gallon tank and we'll be gone 12 days.

Is there anything that will last that long?

DH thinks I need to compare the price of a feeder to the price of replacing the fish. He's no help.

Thanks!

 

[sharbear]

This is the one my crazy fish happy husband has https://www.petsolutions.com/Default.aspx?ItemID=11135010.

What I might do is ask someone to replace the food in the feeder after a week. Surely a neighbor kid or someone could do that.

I did not know my husband paid that much for a feeder. But we used to hire someone to come in and feed the fish.

 

[TheZue]

We always used these when we had fish:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753990&lmdn=Product+Style

You could always buy a couple and like the PP said ask somebody to come check on the house and fish while you are gone and just put another one in after the first is gone.

 

[jel0511]

They do make 14 day feeders, I've bought them. I think you'll be fine with the 14 day feeders. Trust me our fish have sometimes gone DAYS without being fed, because we forgot.

 

[Chuck S]

When had fish, I started out using the drop-in feeders that dissolve, then I bought one of the automatic machines. Both worked fine. If you travel a lot, I think I'd pick the machine. If you only travel a couple of times a year for a week or so, then I'd use the things that dissolve. It really depends upon how many fish you have, and how long you'll be gone.

I'd also recommend starting whatever method you choose a week before the trip, so the fish get used to using it.

 

[KLAIT]

We MUCH prefer the auto fish feeder. I have had people come in during a vacation and the dissolving kind is gone. The auto fish feeder works like a charm and can bet set. LOVE IT

 

[Handbag Lady]

Another vote for an auto fish feeder. I've had drop-ins that dissolved too quickly and three that never dissolved at all.

We have the type that is adjustable. We can make it for twice a day feeds using x amount of food. You can then test it before your trip and adjust it as needed.

And phooey on your husband. Some of my fish are over two years old. I can't just replace them that easily.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I didn't even know they made these!! DS9 has convinced me we need to bring his fish w/us to the beach next month......it's going to be a LOOOOOOOOONG car ride.

 

[skuttle]

Thanks so much! I didn't know they made the auto feeders. We only really travel for more than a week once a year. We have 3 zebra fish and 3 of the neon tetras in the tank. These are our second set of fish and they've been doing great. The first set (3 glo fish and 1 neon tetra) lasted about 1-2 months, then the 3 glo fish died. The original neon tetra is still going strong and enjoy his 2 buddies.

 

[LSURyan]

$40 to feed $12 worth of fish? I think your hubby is a smart man.