All for One and One for All (Holiday Matters)

Written by Marina Parha and George J. Reclos Thursday, 25 June 2009 00:00

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As the summer approaches holidays become the main topic of discussion; where, with whom, for how long?  It is only natural that plans to spend a couple of weeks away from all our cares and responsibilities take priority. For aquarists these plans include provision for their fish: it is important that on our return we find our aquatic friends in top notch condition.

The importance of early and thorough planning is evident. The better the plans, the safer our fish will be. It is true that most aquaria seem to require little attention from aquarists if these have been set up properly in the first place. This has lulled many an aquarist to a false sense of security; it is easy to think that as everything works fine during the year everything will continue to work fine during the time when one is absent. This may well the case but what if something goes wrong? In the absence of the aquarist there is nothing preventing the worse to happen; even minor mishaps can turn into major catastrophes. 

Thorough planning and careful tank maintenance cannot eliminate the possibility of mishaps; things happen even when we are there for our fish. Planning and preparation will  eliminate the possibility of something necessary not happening (a friend of ours once forgot to plug his filter back in after cleaning it as he was in a rush to get to the airport) and ensure that your system is in the optimum condition to cope with the absence of regular tank maintenance and possibly minor mishaps.

Each tank is different; the aquarist is best placed to know what could go wrong with it and make provisions to avoid it. Below you will find a list of things usually included by most aquarists in preparation for a prolonged absence. At the end of this presentation there is a tick list which can be printed and ticked for convenience. It is important to add to this list any particularities of your own tank(s) that require special attention. For example, a particularly aggressive fish may be better off isolated, as it may attack and kill one of its tank mates; the resulting ammonia from the decomposing body of the deceased - and most importantly - the bacterial bloom caused by the decomposing body, left in the tank during your absence, may kill the rest of the fish or result in a serious disease outbreak. 

Good preparation for a prolonged absence starts early. We suggest that a couple of months before your planned departure you should:

• Buy and install any new piece of equipment you wanted. Do not install new equipment just before you go on holidays. Allow yourself the time to acquire the piece of equipment you want (in case it is not kept in stock and you need to get it ordered), install and observe it to see if it functions properly and achieves what you want, or return it to the shop and replace it, if it does not. 
• Add the last of the new fish you were planning to acquire. Again, it is important to see how the fish behaves in your tank and how it gets on with its new tank mates. Remember that the introduction of a new fish means, possibly, the introduction of disease in the tank (even if the fish looks quite healthy).  As the disease may manifest itself at any time up to 4-5 weeks following the introduction of a new tank member, give yourself plenty of time to identify and treat it prior to your planned departure.There are few things worst for an aquarist than a disease outbreak prior to a planned and booked family holiday.
• Add the last of the new plants you were planning to acquire. Plants can also be carriers of disease so you will need the time leading up to your departure to establish all is well in your tank. In addition, you need to observe how the new plant fares in your tank environment. The last thing you want in your absence is lots of rotten leaves blocking the intake of your filter. Rotting plants in the tank will also adversely affect the pH stability; the water will become acidic, possibly with detrimental effects on your fish.
• Introduce the holidays routine to your tank (if during your holidays you plan to change the routine of your fish in any way). Give your fish the time to get used to it while you are still around to watch them and interfere, if need be. The most usual change of routine is related to food; holiday blocks are added to the tank instead of the usual staple food, different feeding times are introduced, etc. Now is the time to start training fussy eaters to accept staple food too.  While these changes are implemented watch your fish very carefully to make sure they all adapt and can cope well with the new routine. It is important to remember that when you are on holidays the motto of the Three Musketeers holds true, more than ever, in your tank: All for One and One for All. The tank is a true community and anything that happens to one fish may (and will, in cases of prolonged absence) adversely affect all the others. The health and well being of each individual depends wholly and ultimately on the health and well being of all their tankmates.
• Reconsider your planned projects. Breeding projects are a prime example of this. Fish are known to breed when their carers are away - so much so that an aquarist's departure on holidays appears to be the favourite breeding trigger for their fish. All that is well and good when it comes to fish that do not manifest aggressive behaviour during courtship, but surely, putting a new female in a male P. dovii's tank and leaving them to their own devices while one happily flies away to Barbados is bordering insanity. Cichlids are less than courteous partners so make sure that both females and males (some females have indeed attacked and killed their male tankmate) will be safe during your absence. In the case of non aggressive fish, the worst that can happen is that the much desired spawn takes place and you are not there to enjoy it and record the event. Nothing to worry about here: if they spawn once they will spawn again. Be prepared that, depending on your period of absence, some of the fry may not make it (assuming you are away for longer than the time it will take for the adults to spawn and the young to consume their yolk sacks). Again, this will not have a major impact on the chemistry of your tank; if however, the spawn is of particular importance to you, you may want to alert a friend, or a member of your family, to the possibility of that happening and get them to check the tank regularly and report to you. This way you will be able to advise them what to do in the event.
• Consider the possibility of separating pairs of aggressive cichlids who are likely to spawn during your absence, if you plan to be away for longer than the usual couple of weeks. Chances are that if the fish spawn, the male, wanting to spawn again soon, may attack the fry and kill the defending female. A well secured tank divider will do the job. Just remember to allow more space for the bigger fish.
• Make arrangements with a friend or family member to check the tank - or look after it - in your absence, if you so wish. Do not leave it last minute to approach or notify people as you may get disappointed with their response. These arrangements are necessary if you have fish which will only accept live or frozen food and you plan to be away for longer than a week.
• Order or acquire the supplies required to keep your fish during your absence. Food is the obvious one; depending on your arrangements water conditioners, tank minerals etc may also be in the list (if, for instance, you use them and you want somebody to come and do your water changes). Do not forget to acquire or order spare parts for your tank electrics.
• Change the layout of your tanks if you need to. You may need to remove a piece of wood or a plant that clogs the filter, remove caves etc. Give your fish plenty of time to adjust to the new layout or hiding place while you are there to interfere if need be.
• Prepare a 'return home' kit for your use only. Include spares for your electrics, anti-Ich and bacteria medication (just in case),  aquarium salt, a spare box of fish food in case your automatic feeders are empty, a water testing kit and some water conditioner or any other chemicals you use during water changes. 
• Finally, place your fish in the tanks where they will spend their time during your absence (if your main tank is overstocked you may want to use your spare hospital tank to thin out the load). If you have fry you plan to separate or give away, do it now. If you plan to relocate a fish to a bigger - or separate tank - go ahead with it. As you approach the time of your departure make sure your tanks are exactly as you would want them to be during your absence. Do not postpone for after your return what should be done before you leave.