[dogdoc]

Going on vacation soon!!!!! The downside is, I'm not sure what to do for my tank. I will be gone for 11-12 days. I have a very reliable person coming to feed birds, fish, dogs etc. who also agreed to fertilize the tank for me.

However, it is a 75 gal tank with CO2 and I dose EI. I don't really feel like asking her to do the 50% PWC for me.

So what do I do?

My first thought is this. Have her do regular ferts for the first 6 days. Then no more for the next 5. My nitrates and phosphates always seem to be a bit high by the end of the week anyway.

Should I have her dose regularly for the first 6 days, skip one day, then start half doses?

I'm open to any suggestions that don't involve her doing a water change.

 

[epicfish]

Pack it all up and ship it to me.

What I did over my break was to drop the lighting significantly and stop fertilizing and stop the CO2. I didn't like the idea of CO2 going on a solenoid without me checking up on it every day or two.

I came home to overgrown plants, but surprisingly, no algae problems.

 

[distrbd]

I would totally agree with Epicfish,make your tank a low tech and you'll be alright.

 

[Solstice]

A lot of times you'll come back and find your plants to be thriving more than they were before. In my completely non-scientific, unproven theory I think plants do well with a little break now and then.

 

[dogdoc]

Really??????

No ferts, No CO2???

 

[epicfish]

Yea, stop it a day or two before you leave. Drop the photoperiod for sure. =)

 

[jpfelix]

i think it may be cloudy over your tank for about two weeks. plants do need a break. that's why there are clouds without rain.

 

[dogdoc]

I was planning to do a big water change right before leaving. Should I at least do one or two doses of ferts before I go?

 

[jpfelix]

don't do anything major just before you leave! give a couple of days for relaxation and observation.

 

[SCMurphy]

Trim the tank a week before you go. Do a normal water change the day before, drop the light amount (not photoperiod, number of light bulbs) by half, leave the CO2 on but slightly less, everything should be fine when you get back. Let her dose the normal Ferts amounts at a half schedule, put a day between each step rather then have them be everyday. When you get home you can do the water change and pick up the light (if you aren't convinced that you need less light by then) and continue on your merry way.

 

[JenThePlantGeek]

I totally agree with what everyone is saying.

Also, you may want to reconsider asking someone else to feed your fish. No offense to anyone, I know you said they were reliable, but unless you measure out your food in a pill box and specifically pleed for them not to overfeed, they most likely will overfeed. Even if you do measure it out, it is easy to overestimate and put in too much.

Honestly - fish that are healthy, with minor exceptions, can go even as long as 3 weeks without being fed. When you come home they'll be hungry, but a-ok (especially in a planted tank!). You may even find that they've cleaned everything up really well too.