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Hello,
I am going away for a couple of week this summer. I am moving my future Rams into my community tank for the couple of weeks. My question is Can my plants (Anubias and Cabomba) survive a couple of weeks without water changes or anything? Thanks.

Chris

Hi,
Yes, the plants should be fine. Leave them on a timer
so the lights stay on for about 10hours/day and leave
everything else running as well (filter/heater, etc.)

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Where do I get a light timer and how much do they cost? Thanks.

Chris

You can use lamp timers (found at any Wal-Mart-type store), but you should probably use one that has a ground. In the past I plugged my aquarium lamps into a timer that wasn't grounded, but had that plugged into a grounded surge-protector strip. I don't know if that's the safest way to go (someone tell me if it's not!). When I set up my 55 gallon in April I purchased the Coralife Power Center (Single) from Dr.'s Foster and Smith for $19.99, and have been really happy with it thus far.

Kari

I also have the Coralife timer (2 actually) and like it alot. If your light plug only has 2 gs, a regular lamp timer will do. I have one of those on my 10g tank.

*Kristin*

Chris,

Do me a favor and define the following:

"a couple of weeks" and "without water changes or anything"

In particular the definition of "anything" will shed some light on potential issues that you may encounter. Nobody is going to top off the tank? No fish food either (how many and what fish)?

The survival of the Anubias seems to be the least of a problem, little light over that time will do. The Cabomba will need a little more to maintain its health.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Okay so I will be gone for three weeks. I am putting my fish in my community tank and that will have an feeder pellet. I will also have a lamp timer on my Unoccupied tank. Thanks.

P.S. Would 2 Rams in a 10g be fine(As in live and have Not too cloudy water?) with a 14 day feeder? Thanks.

Chris

Chris,

I saw your entry in tech tinker about the feeder, is that the one you plan on using to feed the Rams?

Not that it really matters, but to my knowledge these feeders suck (), for the reason you mentioned (moisture) and others. For example, some are very bad at dosing proper amounts, meaning that more often than not too much food is added and you know what that will do to a tank, in particular a small one.

What is a feeder pellet? Is that a feeder that, instead of flakes, adds a pellet per feeding? This sounds good, as long as the fish eat pellet food and all would get a share of it.

The very best way to maintain your fish and plants during your absence would be if you could find some trustworthy person that comes to your house every other day and does the required tasks, like feeding the fish and making sure all is up and running, plus the occasional filling up the tank based on evaportation.

Some people also opt to trim heavily before going away for a few weeks, and have the lights on only for a few hours per day, and not feed the fish at all.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Well, A Feeder Pellet releases food over a 14 day period. And Yes I do know they arnt too good. Also we have a neighbor that will come by every other day. But the tank with plants all i need is just a Lamp timer, right?

Chris

Or by feeder pellet do you mean the block food you put in the tank that is supposed to last 14 days? They dissolve slowly.

They actually end up dissolving much sooner and will certainly nasty up the tank water. I wouldn't do it...if you do mean the blocks.

*Kristin*

Yeah, thats it. Well, I am going to do a major cleaning after. The 4 week feeder dosent even fit on it.

Chris

The mess is not the only problem. It won't last the full 14 days...and its not certain the rams will even eat it. If they are used to flake food or whatever they eat, they may not be interested in the big dissolving block on the bottom.

Also rams are very sensitive, so I wouldn't make a mess of the tank...it could likely stress them and kill them. They like very clean water...and that block will not keep the water clean. It could even start a minicycle and up the ammonia in the tank (which probably will kill them).

Your fish though, so do what you want. I'm just thinking of the fish here.

*Kristin*

No, I respect your opinion. So my new question is will my Rams survive a big feeding every other day? Thanks.

Chris