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Well our little fishies seem to be doing just fine. We've purchased a timer for the light, makes life a little easier, especially when we're not home in the evening or we sleep a little late on the weekends.

We've also purchased an Eheim automatic feeder... so far the test runs have been successful, of course that's outside the tank. We plan on running it next week to make sure it works for Labor Day weekend, when we will be away. I'm not too worried about next weekend since it's only a few days.

Here's a question: what about our algae eater?? Every 3 days or so we drop a little piece of wafer in there for him, would he be okay going two weeks without these?? The tank never seems dirty to me but I'm assuming he's finding algae and eating it...


Our tank: 45 gallons
7x Cardinal Tetras 7x Black Neon Tetras
7x Glowlight Tetras 2x Ottos 2x Ghost Shrimp 3x Spotted Corys 3x Panda Corys

He should be okay, just feed him well before leaving. I've left my tanks for two weeks with no feeding whatsoever and have never lost a fish.

You want to make sure and do a water change just before leaving and you should be fine.

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Thanks, we plan on doing a water change before leaving, especially since we are on the edge of being overstocked.

We'll give Herbie a few extra pieces of wafer and I'm sure he'll be happy.

I know the fish can go for a few days without food, so we set the feeder to filter out slightly less than what we normally feed them every day. We don't want to overfeed and cause the ammonia/nitrate levels to skyrocket.

Our tank: 45 gallons
7x Cardinal Tetras 7x Black Neon Tetras
7x Glowlight Tetras 2x Ottos 2x Ghost Shrimp 3x Spotted Corys 3x Panda Corys

I agree with Old Timer. No food for a short time is fine. As you have already twigged, MtbGirl, Herbie (aw herbie...coo... lubs da name) is finding food that we mere humans can't see or detect.

I give my fish at least one food free day per week.

Enjoy your mini hol.

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Thanks... when we tried to think of a name, we were telling my son he's a herbivore, so "Herbie" just popped into our minds.

Over the upcoming Labor Day weekend he should be fine with some wafer bits before we leave, it's the longer two week vacations we're worried about.

I was thinking of putting wafer crumbs in the automatic feeder, but then I thought crumbs every day would be too much for Herbie.

Our tank: 45 gallons
7x Cardinal Tetras 7x Black Neon Tetras
7x Glowlight Tetras 2x Ottos 2x Ghost Shrimp 3x Spotted Corys 3x Panda Corys

Didn't know what your stocking was, but you really are pushing your limits, and in mho you're overstocked.

Your "Chinese Algae Eater" gets very large, and to my knowledge can get to 8" to 10". I would think seriously of returning him to the LFS. Also as they get older, they aren't much at eating algae and can become a danger to other fishes as they have a tendency to literally eat the slime coating off of other fish.

I know not what you wanted to hear, but I thought you should be advised.

Here's a link to their profile here on FP.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/638.htm

Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

Thanks, Jim. Actually we did find out a while ago that we are on the cusp of being overstocked. That was the reason our little African Dwarf Frog died.

We do realize Herbie will get too big for the tank, unfortunately my son is too attached at this stage and doesn't want to give him up. However, we have informed him that Herbie will eventually have to go back, or he could be somewhat of a danger to the other fish. So he understands that Herbie is a temporary pet.

We've already found two LFS who said they would take Herbie back when he was too big... even if we just donated him that would be fine. Hopefully we can exchange him for an otto or amano shrimp.

So far the fish seem happy and healthy. We're doing weekly water changes and trying not to overfeed. That's the reason for my concern with Herbie eating while we're away... we don't want to dump too many wafer bits in the tank.

Again, thanks for the info. Eventually we'd like to upgrade the tank, we just want to make sure my son is dedicated to keeping fish.

Our tank: 45 gallons
7x Cardinal Tetras 7x Black Neon Tetras
7x Glowlight Tetras 2x Ottos 2x Ghost Shrimp 3x Spotted Corys 3x Panda Corys