Out of town for 6 days, neighbors feed the fish?

[shanezam203]

I am planning a vacation out of town for a week, would you ask the neighbors to feed the fish if you trust them? I have 20 fish in an 8,500 gallon pond, I am tempted to turn the Pumps OFF for peace of mind, any thoughts? I have never had any leaks, I just don't want to have anything happen while I am away.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[koiguy1969]

your fish can easily handle a 6 day period without feeding...prepackage it in servings if you have them feed.i wouldnt shut down the pump(s) and filter(s). you'll being starting them up all over again. if you do i would sink an airstone or two in there. that may save some bacteria.

 

[dieselplower]

I would premeasure food for them and leave pumps running. In a pond that big I'm sure they can find food to eat as well. I'd just ask the neighbor to be sure the pumps haven't emptied the pond on accident.

 

[DrCase]

Have confidence in your plumbing
And a baggy of food for each day your gone
Trust some one to shut it down if some thing goes wrong

 

[addy1]

We sometimes leave for weeks, peek at the pond via camera's. Only one time has anything gone wrong, that was right after I added something then left town.
The fish get fed if the neighbor feels like walking over ow they live on the food in the pond and do just fine.

I am at the point now I don't really worry about it at all.

 

[shanezam203]

Talked to the neighbors and they are able to feed the fish without a problem.

 

[shakaho]

I have heard so many horror stories about helpful neighbors killing fish by overfeeding during a vacation. These were all neighbors who were considered very reliable before the incidents who were given detailed written instructions.

Unless the neighbor is a pondkeeper, your fish are much safer "living off the land." They'll be SO glad to see you when you get home.

 

[shanezam203]

Got a few cameras setup & a friend who is coming over to feed and check on this fish once a day.
They will be FINE.

 

[addy1]

Nice dog butt shot! Love my cameras, I use them to check in on the pond anytime we are gone. So far saved the pond once, had a leak the neighbor fixed for me when I called her.

 

[waynefrcan]

Cool, wondering about the cost for a 2-4 camera setup with a web link?

addy1, I can't enlarge your pics for some reason.

 

[addy1]

Cool, wondering about the cost for a 2-4 camera setup with a web link?

addy1, I can't enlarge your pics for some reason.

You mean the ones in my signature? I use firefox that has an add on that enlarges signature pictures when you hover over them. OW they don't enlarge via the forum.

The q-see system I have, we picked up from costco one of the on line sales, paid around 300 something for it. It came with 8 cameras.

 

[JohnHuff]

It really depends on the neighbors. I've had good neighbors who fed the fish really well, then both families moved away. A new family came that had a little girl. I asked them to do a small amount per day and when I came back after a week, they fed about 5 times the amount I asked. Fortunately, the fish were ok. I never asked them again. They also moved and I never asked anyone else after that.