heni Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Hi All We are heading off for about 7 days ... what is the best thing to do with our freshwater tank regarding lighting? We have one of those 7-day food bricks - so food is ok, but is it better to leave the light on 24/7 or better to turn them off? Is it bad for the plants or fish to have no lights, or worse to have no relief from the lights being on? Any comments most appreciated. Cheers Heni (Dunedin) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Hi Hene, First off... it is NEVER a good idea to tell people on an open forum that you are going away for anytime. Second... Invest in a timer for your lights. Cheap as from Bunnings or the Warehouse. Your fish and plants will appreciate the regular routine.. and as a bonus, it might keep the burgulars at bay. All the best for your trip. Take care now. Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shilo Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 I second the use of a timer. It also means that you can use it when you are home and not have to worry about remembering to turn the lights on. Just make sure your filter and heater are not attached to it - these must be going all the time. Personally don't like those feed blocks since some can effect the water chemistry. Your fish will survive quite happily for a week without any food. Infact depending on what type of fish you have your tank will be nice and clean when you get back. Timer on your lights, top up the water to account for evaporation, and send them a postcard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Don't send them a postcard.... unless you have someone to clear your letter box.. full letterbox means NO ONE HOME. Timers are definitely the way to go... whats more is that you can plug in a radio as well so when the lights come on the radio will come on as well so it makes it sound like someone is home. Have the timer to turn on at odd hours of the evening as well. Gives the impression the person at home has a week bladder or needs a midnight snack. With regards to holiday food blocks... i use them and have had no problems with them. Happy Holidays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 The electronic timers from dick smiths (there own branded ones) have a random funtion which just changes the on/off times by a few minutes, they are about $15 so more than the bunnings etc manual ones, but are one of the few that have lasted running my MH lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Warehouse has electronic timers with random function for $10. Don't forget to do your water changes before and after you go, and enjoy your vacation. Get a friend to look in on your house and pets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 My advise would be to spend a little extra and buy a tried and tesed one, I use a lot of timers (am currently using about 10) and found some brands are no good. The cheap arlac ones are pretty crap, lights draw a lot of current when they start up, some brands have cheap microswitches which fuse on, have also found that some electronic timers 'leak' voltage when they are off making the ends of the fluro tubes glow when they should be off. I haven't had much luck with the HPM one's either. As I said the best/cheapest I have found are the dick smith branded electronic ($16.72), the Pudney ones are also very good, but cost about $40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 If it is a well established community tank I would not worry about feeding them while you are away. I don't feed mine for that length of time if I am going to be away. Better than having a feeding block disintegrate too fast and pollute the tank. The fish won't starve. If I had small fry, I would put the required daily dose of food in separate containers and ask a friend or neighbour to empty them into the tnak on the appropriate days. I also like my larger Malawis to be fed more regularly. Luckily on our last trip my daughter was home for part of the time and then my brother came and lived in - this was for the cat's benefit, not the fishes :lol: As the others said - a timer is the way to go for the lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heni Posted June 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2005 Thanks to everyone for the feedback (and the advice!). We have purchase a couple of timers - so feel much better about going away ... nothing like planning ahead. We do have a second tank with fry, so yeah ... the comments re that tank have also been thought-provoking. Really appreciate the helpfulness of people here. Cheers, Heni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 22, 2005 Report Share Posted June 22, 2005 Small plastic bags, pill bottles (pills removed and container washed of course) or empty film canisters make good food containers for daily doses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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