Emergency response

How to leave your aquarium during vacation (1-14 days)

Step-by-step response

1 week before: Test parametersVerify ammonia/nitrite at 0, nitrate under 30 ppm, equipment running normally. Fix any issues NOW.

5 days before: Do a water change30% water change with parameter-matched RODI. Resets nitrate baseline + dilutes any accumulated waste.

3 days before: Clean equipmentReplace mechanical filter floss, wipe powerhead intakes. Clean equipment runs more reliably while you're away.

1 day before: Set up auto-feeder (if needed)4+ day trips: program Eheim Twin or Petlibro to dispense small portions every 1-2 days. Test 3 consecutive feedings before leaving.

Day of departure: Final checksTop off ATO reservoir to max. Check heater + powerheads. Trim long plants away from filter intakes. Take a photo of tank for reference.

During vacation: Optional check-inTrip 7+ days: have a neighbor verify equipment running. Send tank photo to compare. Apex/Hydros remote alerts cover most emergencies automatically.

Return: Test before feedingCheck parameters BEFORE first feeding. If ammonia spiked, do a 25% water change first. Resume normal feeding gradually.

FAQ

Can fish survive a week without food?

Yes. Healthy adult fish in a mature tank survive 7-10 days without feeding with no harm. Some species (oscars, large cichlids) tolerate 14+ days. Stop feeding for 1 day before vacation to clear waste.

Should I use an auto-feeder?

For 4+ day trips: yes, but program SMALL portions every 1-2 days (not daily). Auto-feeders that over-dose cause ammonia spikes worse than fasting.

Should I shut off the lights?

Reduce photoperiod to 6 hours. Total darkness stresses some fish; sustained lighting promotes algae while you're away.

More emergency guides

Browse all aquarium emergency response guides.

Aquarium-keeping fundamentals

Whatever specific topic brought you here, four fundamentals govern long-term aquarium success: water quality, parameter stability, biological filtration, and species-appropriate husbandry. Skip any one and the others struggle to compensate.

Water quality: ammonia + nitrite at zero, nitrate under 30 ppm freshwater + 10 ppm reef. Test weekly with API or Salifert kits. Use our water parameter checker to score your readings against your tank type.

Parameter stability: stable wrong parameters beat fluctuating ideal parameters. Most fish tolerate a wide pH range if it's stable. Sudden swings of 0.4+ pH or 5+°F kill fish faster than chronic suboptimal values. Use temperature controllers (Inkbird) + automated dosing for consistency.

Biological filtration: the bacterial colony on your filter media + rock + substrate is the engine. Never replace all media at once. Use our filter turnover calculator to size correctly.

Species-appropriate husbandry: research adult size, territoriality, diet, and tankmate compatibility before purchase. Use our tank stocking calculator + compatibility guides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an aquarium take to set up? 4-6 weeks for full cycling + first stocking. Use our cycle ETA calculator + how long does cycling take.

What's the best aquarium for beginners? 20-gallon long. Big enough for parameter stability, small enough for budget + space. See beginner picks.

How often should I do water changes? 25-30% weekly. See water change frequency Q&A + water change calculator.

Why does my fish keep dying? 5 leading causes: uncycled tank, wrong species pairings, no quarantine, undersized tank, neglected water-change schedule. See full diagnosis.