What Is The Most Reliable Holiday Tablet?

[CrazyAboutFish]

Hi,

I am going on holiday soon for 10 days, and I need to know what the most reliable holiday tablet is. The last time I went away we used a holiday tablet (not sure which make it was) and when I came back we found it just as I left it. It was still all there and nothing had changed. This is why I want to be careful, as I love my fish and I would hate for them to die because of a holiday tablet that didn't do it's job.

Species in my tank: Dalmation Mollie, Guppy, Platy, and an Octo of some sort. (The octo is a small algae eater.)

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The best suggestion I can give is to put some food into a prescription medicine holder (a weekly one), and place the appropriate amount of food in there.  Then find a friend who lives nearby that you trust to drop in a few times while you are away to feed them.
 
Option two would be to just turn the lights on the tank while you are away, and let the algae that grows be the food for these fish, as all these fish are algae grazers.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

The best feeder I have seen is the Tetra Vacation Gel Feeder Block. You may have to put it in the tank heifer you go away to make sure that the fish know how to eat from it.
The other option would be to just leave them, I did this recently for 10 days and all my fish were fine.

 

[CrazyAboutFish]

Ok, thank you. Eagle, I wouldn't be able to that as none of them live nearby. I will probably go with Blondie's suggestion. How long before I go away should I put the tablet in? Just wanna make sure. Don't want my fishes to starve!

The guppy is nearly 1 year old Gonna have to go and find some miniature party hats!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Buy two gel packs and put one in several weeks before you go away, monitor your fish and make sure they're eating from it. If they're fine with it then you're all good to go for your holiday

 

[coolie]

I can't believe supermarkets sell those chalky tablet rubbish things. They never worked for me. Went for battery operated timer unit.

 

[EthanF]

yeah i agree with coolie, dont bother with the chalky ones from supermarkets, they dont work too well

 

[dgwebster]

Starvation is the best holiday block in my opinion, second only to a friend helping out.

 

[CrazyAboutFish]

I'm also going to be panicking and wondering if they're still alive. I need to get a spy camera for the tank.
And any idea where I can purchase these gel things?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

LFS would be the best bet... or ebay.

 

[CrazyAboutFish]

Ok, thank you everyone!

 

[toshapetriji]

Fish will be ok without food for 10 days. If you must feed then a reliable friend is the way to go.

 

[CrazyAboutFish]

Not my fish.....eat or be eaten with them! My guppy startled my octo yesterday, I think the guppy thought it was food! Poor little thing!

But I will get a tablet, at least they have a chance at getting some food...

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Honestly, growing some algae might be the best move.   Just leave your lights on 24/7.

 

[CrazyAboutFish]

Ok, thanks!