Guide · Vacation setups
Aquarium vacation checklist
A step-by-step aquarium checklist for a trip: feeder trial and batteries, water change, air pump and cords, and what to leave for the person checking in.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Unless a page says otherwise, our picks come from published specifications and listing research, not hands-on testing. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we make money · How we research
Short answer
Start about two weeks out if you are using a new feeder, because it needs a supervised trial. In the last week, do your normal water change, fit fresh batteries and check the air pump, cords and check valve. Before you leave, hand the person checking in pre-portioned food and a short list of what to look at.
Two weeks before: the feeder trial
- Run the feeder while you are home. Fish Mate recommends supervising a new F14 for a fourteen-day period while you are present before relying on it.[1] Use the food and portion you will use on the trip.
- Know how your feeder counts time. JUWEL's EasyFeed, for example, feeds once every 24 hours from the moment it is switched on, or twice a day with the second feed six hours after the first.[2] Switch a feeder like that on at the time of day you want the first meal.
- Watch for clumping and jams on every feed. The feeder test guide lists what to record.
If you are choosing a feeder now, the Fish Mate F14 is a battery feeder with pre-filled compartments that sits over a hood's feeding hole or on two supplied clamps.[1]
The week before: power, water and air
- Batteries. Fit fresh cells of the type the manual names. EHEIM's battery autofeeder takes two AA alkaline cells and must not run on rechargeables.[3] When it shows "LO" it keeps feeding, but after about three days the display blinks and the unit shuts off.[3] A low-battery warning on the day you leave is a problem, not a footnote.
- Built-in batteries. Aquarium Co-Op's Auto Feeder charges over USB-C, and the maker says a charge can last three to six months depending on use and that the unit can be left plugged in.[4] That runtime is the maker's figure, so charge it fully before you go.
- Water change. Do your usual change a few days before you leave rather than a large one on the last morning. Merck's general schedule is a change every two weeks, the amount depending on stocking, and new water should be dechlorinated.[5][6]
- Air pump position. Aquarium Co-Op says its air pump should sit above the water level to prevent back-siphoning, with a check valve if it has to sit below.[7] Tetra gives the same advice for its Whisper pumps.[8] See which way a check valve goes.
- Drip loops. Make a drip loop in each power cord so water running down the cord drips off before it reaches the outlet, as Aquarium Co-Op's pump guide instructs.[9]
- Outage plan. Decide what happens if the power goes out. The power outage guide covers what stops and what a battery pump can cover.
The day before
- Fill the feeder with dry food only, without packing it down.
- Check the feeder's clock, feed times and portion setting one last time.
- Remove uneaten food and check the fish, the water temperature and the equipment, the daily checks in Merck's maintenance table.[5]
- Put pre-portioned food for the sitter in labeled containers, one per visit.
For the person checking in
Leave a one-page note with:
- What to look at: the fish, the water temperature and the equipment, and any uneaten food to remove.[5]
- How much to feed: point to the labeled portions and ask them not to add more.
- What normal looks like: how many fish, where the feeder and pump are, and which lights run on a timer.
- Who to call: your phone number, a local aquarium shop and a vet who treats fish.
An ammonia badge gives a sitter something simple to read. Seachem says its Ammonia Alert continuously detects free ammonia, reacting in about 15 minutes to a rise and about 4 hours to a fall.[10] Seachem does not recommend it in acidic water. Show the sitter which color means "call me".
Next
Questions
How far ahead should I start preparing the tank?
Start with the feeder, because it needs the longest trial. Fish Mate recommends supervising a new F14 for fourteen days while you are home before relying on it, so a new feeder means starting about two weeks out.[1]
Should I do a big water change right before I leave?
Keep to your normal routine rather than making a large change at the last minute. Merck's general schedule is a water change every two weeks, with the amount depending on how heavily the tank is stocked, and new water should be dechlorinated.[5][6]
Can I use rechargeable batteries in my feeder?
Check the manual for your model. EHEIM says its battery autofeeder must not be run on rechargeable batteries; it takes two AA alkaline cells. Other feeders, such as Aquarium Co-Op's, have a built-in rechargeable battery instead.[3][4]
What should my fish sitter check each visit?
The same daily checks Merck lists: the fish, the water temperature and the equipment, plus removing uneaten food. Leave pre-portioned food so they cannot overfeed.[5]
Is an ammonia badge worth leaving in the tank?
It gives a sitter something to read. Seachem says its Ammonia Alert continuously detects free ammonia and responds to rising levels in about 15 minutes, but it is not recommended in acidic water.[10]