Going Away!

[montyII]

I'm going on holidays for 11 days , and I'm not sure to do with my EI dosing while I'm away. My girlfriend is happy to dose Excel and other ferts for me, but I don't really want to burden her with the 50% water change.

I thought maybe I could do a 50% water change the day before I leave and one the day I get back, then spread out over 11 days what I would normally dose in a week, ie just have more days off.

It's either that or just don't dose at all while I'm gone.

What do people think?

 

[Neo8223]

I'm going on holidays for 11 days , and I'm not sure to do with my EI dosing while I'm away. My girlfriend is happy to dose Excel and other ferts for me, but I don't really want to burden her with the 50% water change.

I thought maybe I could do a 50% water change the day before I leave and one the day I get back, then spread out over 11 days what I would normally dose in a week, ie just have more days off.

It's either that or just don't dose at all while I'm gone.

What do people think?

Why dont you try it and do a test run now. If it works then let her do that. If not, then try something else. Or... try using those compost bags that you stick in your filter. Apparently, they dose the tank for up to 3 months with nutrients!

 

[JamesC]

I lower the lighting down to about 1.5 wpg and reduce the photoperiod by about 2 hours. This will slow plant demand right down. You'll also need to reduce CO2 to compensate, so adjust the bubble rate to about 75% of your normal rate. Water change and a double dose before you leave should see you through the two weeks. You can if you want get someone to come in and give a dose after one week.

This I've found seems to work quite well for me. I have a fish autofeeder so the fish don't go hungry.

James

 

[George Farmer]

I agree with James. Except I don't bother feeding the fish. Most fish are fine for a couple of weeks. Any algae-eaters will clean the tank better too.

 

[montyII]

I lower the lighting down to about 1.5 wpg and reduce the photoperiod by about 2 hours. This will slow plant demand right down. You'll also need to reduce CO2 to compensate, so adjust the bubble rate to about 75% of your normal rate. Water change and a double dose before you leave should see you through the two weeks. You can if you want get someone to come in and give a dose after one week.

This I've found seems to work quite well for me. I have a fish autofeeder so the fish don't go hungry.

James

OK, thanks guys. I'll double dose before I go and take 2hrs off the photoperiod.
I'm only at around 1.5wpg now (2X 30W T8s), should I lower it to 0.75wpg or leave it at the normal level?
Also I don't use CO2, I use Excel for carbon. Should I lower the dose of that too?

 

[JamesC]

I'd leave the lighting as it is at 1.5wpg. I always just presume that if people are dosing EI then they have high light, which isn't always the case. How long are your lights on for now? If more than eight hours then cut them back to eight hours or if already at eight then leave it be. Double dose and you should be fine. Add another dose after one week. You can also carry on with excel if your g/f is happy to do it.

James

 

[aaronc]

I halved my lighting from 2.2wpg to 1.1wpg and it was fine when I got back

Aaron

 

[gbbudd]

I halved my lighting from 2.2wpg to 1.1wpg and it was fine when I got back

Aaron

Any healthy aquarium and fish will survive just fine for 11 days without and food or ferts fish dont have dinner wating for them at the table at 7 am 12pm and 6 pm they often have to go for days and weeks without food. but i would lower co2 and lighting as previosly mentioned

 

[montyII]

Ok, ta people.
I'll double dose then get the boss to dose after one week.
Lights are currently on for 10 hours, so I'll lower to 8.

I assume it's OK to dump macros and trace in the tank at the same time? I normally do them on different days.

 

[JamesC]

Sounds good. I dose both on the same day every day with no probs.

James

 

[montyII]

Excellent... thanks.