Holiday care

[ineke]

Well I knew the time would come but not so soon :( . We will be going away for about 2 months in July/August -at least I won't have to worry about hot weather. So what do you think minimum care could be for my tanks? I have 9 x 24" tanks running 2 sponge filters each. The shrimp in those are Cherries plus 2 with Crystals. Then there is 1 x 24" tank with TB/ TBM/Mischlings and Tibees that has an Eheim 2213 canister plus 2 sponge filters. Then a community tank Aqua One 980 with - at the moment - an overhead trickle filter and 4 sponge filters- I will be getting a canister for it before I go.

I can get my son to feed and do top ups but probably not water changes - I think I can get someone to come in to do some water changes but only a minimal number.

so what would be the longest I could let my tanks go with only water top ups? The shrimp would only get fed once a week with leaves and a set amount of dry food plus there will be IAL and barley pellets in there as well so there won't be excess food . Any thoughts /ideas would be welcome.

Pre going away water changes etc will be done so its just the number of water changes that will need to be done is the concern. No tanks will be heavily populated except the 980 but it will have a1200 lph canister with uv light plus the sponge filters.

[Squiggle]

I've been experimenting on an 8L tank to see how long I can go without a WC before I get into trouble & with roughly 20+ shrimp in there, it's been about 3mths with only top ups, haven't had a death yet & they are still breeding. Food for thought. :encouragement:

[BlueBolts]

Besides top ups..looking for dead shrimps and getting them out is critical, as a tank can go backwoods very quickly with 1-2 death, then 3-4... Etc.....lots of leaves, filter clean, purigen etc....

[ineke]

That sounds promising. If I can just get my son to feed and topup then there is no issue. I know I can get Eshrimp to come over if there is a problem - like dead shrimp- but he lives 1/2 an hour away and I don't want to impose un necessarily - although I know he would willing to come over anytime. At least that would be a back up if Bryan gets worried. I will have to get a stock of leaves ready in the freezer and bag up weekly food but that's all easy.

[Squiggle]

Shrimp Snow maybe? (I know, shameless plug. Hehehe) :dejection:

[ineke]

I'm still waiting for the shrimp crack to arrive and yes shameless Squiggs!

[Squiggle]

Hmmmm, I sent all but Jamie's out on Monday, if it doesn't arrive on Monday or Tuesday I'll send you another one. :Scratch-Head:

[ineke]

I wouldn't worry too much yet, I also haven't received the mulberry leaves that were sent out last week. SA post sux.

[Squiggle]

All post sux!