Leaving for the weekend, what to do about dosing?

[IndianaSam]

Okay, I just found out that I'm leaving for the weekend. My usual dosing of ferts is macros on Sat, Mon, Wed, Fri and micros on the other days. 70% water changes are done on Saturday mornings.

So, if I'm not around to do these what should I do? It's too late for me to arrange for someone else to come by my house and do the dosing for me. Also I don't have an automatic feeder that I can use to dose with while I'm gone.

My thought is that I should leave the lights off while I'm gone and go ahead and do my water change today before I leave. Then the plants won't go through the nutrients while I'm gone. I'm really afraid of my NO3 bottoming out and the ensuing algae issues (ugh, I've had some bad problems with BGA in the past).

So, any advise? Anything would be appreciated.

 

[Ian H]

Re: Leaving for the weekend, what to do about dosing?

I wouldn't think that 2 or 3 days would make any difference at all. Maybe add a little more KNO3 on your fridays dose if that worries you or test for nitrates and do a rough calculation. Certainly leave your lights and everything else as normal, on the assumption you have your lights on a timer of course. Don't feed the fish they will be OK without food for a lot longer than a weekend. Maybe just give them a little extra (don't go mad) before you set off.

Above all don't panic.

Ian

 

[IndianaSam]

Re: Leaving for the weekend, what to do about dosing?

I can't help but panic! Do you know how much I hate BGA?

Anyway, I'll just take your advice. The lights are on a timer so that won't be a problem.

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Tom Barr]

Re: Leaving for the weekend, what to do about dosing?

Ditto on what Iam said, don't worry, I leave for a week without issue, but you can add a tad more macro's etc.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Dolfan]

Re: Leaving for the weekend, what to do about dosing?

I am leaving for 3 full days. My discus fish should be ok for that long without food correct? I'll stuff 'em good(w/food not taxidermy lol) before I go.

 

[PK1]

Re: Leaving for the weekend, what to do about dosing?

I just came back from a 4 day vacation without problems... (well, the same green algae issue I have had for two weeks, but it didn't get any worse when I wasn't there).

 

[matthewburk]

Re: Leaving for the weekend, what to do about dosing?

I was thinking about this problem. I am goign to be gone for a week over christmas. I was thinking since I dry dose I would just use an automatic fish feeder for dosing.