🐠 Who Takes Care of Your Aquariums on Vacation?

Even when you’re away, your aquarium needs care. With the right prep and a solid plan, you can enjoy your vacation stress-free knowing your fish are safe.

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👨‍👩‍👧 Family or Friends

• ✅ Easiest option – ask someone you trust.
• 🍽️ Pre-portion meals into small pill boxes, baggies, or labeled cups to prevent overfeeding.
• 📝 Write clear, step-by-step instructions (feeding, lights, what NOT to do).
• 🎥 Record a short video walkthrough of your daily routine for them.
• 📱 Stay available for calls or texts in case of emergencies.

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🐾 Professional Aquarium or Pet Sitters

• 👩‍🔧 Experienced sitters can handle feeding, water testing, topping off, dosing, and equipment checks.
• 💵 More reliable but adds cost.
• 🔍 Find through local fish stores, aquarium clubs, or online groups.
• 🐟 Essential for:
  • Saltwater reef tanks 🪸
  • Planted CO₂ systems 🌿
  • Large or multiple aquariums
  • Rare or expensive fish

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🤖 Automatic Feeders

• 🕒 Dispense food automatically once or multiple times daily.
• 🐟 Great for 1–2 weeks, especially for community freshwater tanks.
• 🚫 Only works with dry food (flakes, pellets, wafers).
• ⚠️ Test it a few days before leaving to avoid malfunctions.
• 🔄 Combine with a sitter visit if you’re gone more than 1 week.

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🏠 Boarding Services

• 📦 Some aquarium shops or breeders may board fish.
• 🚚 Useful for rare or sensitive species.
• ⚠️ Moving fish can cause stress or illness—use only if necessary.
• 🛠️ Safer for smaller tanks/fish than full setups.

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🧰 Vacation Prep Checklist

🧽 Cleaning & Maintenance

• 💧 Do a partial water change 2–3 days before leaving (not right before, to avoid stress).
• 🔬 Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH.
• 🧽 Clean filters, glass, and pre-rinse sponges.
• 🌡️ Check heaters and timers for lights.
• 🌿 Trim live plants and remove dying leaves.
• 🚪 Secure lids tightly (jumpers are more common when feeding routines change).

🍽️ Feeding Plans

• Short trips (2–3 days): Fish often don’t need feeding. Most healthy fish can go several days without food.
• Medium trips (1 week): Use an automatic feeder or give helper pre-portioned meals.
• Long trips (2+ weeks): A sitter or professional is best. Consider training them in advance.

🐟 Freshwater vs. Saltwater Tanks

• Freshwater community tanks: Often easiest to maintain with automatic feeders.
• Planted tanks: May need CO₂ monitoring and trimming.
• Saltwater/reef tanks: Require dosing (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium), checking salinity, and watching coral health → sitter strongly recommended.

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🚨 Emergency Plan Checklist

Leave this with your caretaker, posted near the aquarium:

• ⚡ Power Outage:
  • Don’t feed fish.
  • If longer than 6–8 hrs, use battery-powered air pumps.
  • Wrap tank in blankets to hold temperature.
• 💧 Filter Stops Running:
  • Call you first.
  • If safe, rinse filter media in tank water, never tap.
  • Restart filter and check water flow.
• 🌡️ Heater Issues:
  • Too hot → Unplug heater, float ice bottles.
  • Too cold → Raise room temp, wrap tank in blankets.
• 🐟 Sick or Dead Fish:
  • Remove and freeze in bag until you return.
  • Do not medicate tank unless instructed.
• 🚱 Water Leak:
  • Unplug equipment.
  • Place towels/buckets.
  • Call immediately.
• 📞 Emergency Contacts:
  • Your phone
  • Local fish store (hours included)
  • Trusted aquarium friend/hobbyist
  • Emergency vet (for rare species)

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⏳ Vacation Length & Best Care Options

• 2–3 days: No feeding needed (healthy fish can go without).
• Up to 1 week: Automatic feeder OR helper with instructions.
• 2–3 weeks: Helper visits at least every 2–3 days, or hire a sitter.
• 1 month+: Professional care required; consider boarding.