[Josh93]

I'm currently away at university in Northern California and will be flying back home to Southern California in about 3 weeks for winter break which is a month long. I currently have one Betta fish in a 2.5 gallon tank on my desk that i was hoping would be able to survive th winter with an automatic feeder. However I am finding even if the automatic feeder satisfies my Betta's hunger, my water may evaporate completely over the course of a month.

My tank currently has a 25 watt heater which has been keeping the tank at 80 degrees. I am experimenting with turning down the heat slightly to see if this will slow down the evaporation. I have also placed 2 plastic panels on top of my tank which cover about 2/3 of the top, I am expecting 1/3 would need to remain open for the feeder and noticing this does not make a huge difference with evaporation.

I know the best method of care is to have a friend watch over your fish but all my friends that I would ask are heading home for break as well. I have considered mailing my fish home and then sending him back when I return to school or upgrading my tank to a 5 or 10 gallon but I'm not sure a larger tank would handle evaporation much more effectively.

If any of you have any suggestions on how I could handle this situation I would appreciate your comments very much

Thank you all,
Josh93

 

[Aquatail]

If you're leaving for such a long time, I'd be really concerned about his water not being changed at all during that time. A month is a long time for ammonia to build up. If there really is no one who could take care of him, honestly it seems to me the best option would be to take him with you/ship him home.

 

[TiffanyP]

I agree - don't leave him there alone for a month, even with an automatic feeder. His water will be both evaporated and in terrible conditions. Ship him home (research how to ship a betta first) or check around in the area and see if someone would foster him for you while you're on break.

 

[Ilikebutterflies]

2.5 gallons would last about 1 week before the ammonia was past .25.

I wouldn't trust an automatic feeder.

The best option would be mail him home. You can get everything you need to ship him + actual shipping for less than $15.

 

[Aryia]

Where in Northern Cali are you? I'm at UC Davis and there's one week where everyone in my house will be gone, but I'm hiring someone to come feed the fish. If you are anywhere close, we could probably look after him for you.

 

[MCW]

See if you can make arrangements for a pet sitter to care for your fish at his/her home. Are you friendly with any of your professors/lecturers? Maybe you can ask one to take care of your fish over the break.

 

[Hallyx]

If you're in Eureka, PM me.

 

[Josh93]

Where in Northern Cali are you? I'm at UC Davis and there's one week where everyone in my house will be gone, but I'm hiring someone to come feed the fish. If you are anywhere close, we could probably look after him for you.

Thank you very much for your kind offer. I'm not too far over in Berkeley but its definitely a distance considering the public transit available.

 

[Josh93]

If you're in Eureka, PM me.

I'm currently in Berkeley, much further south

 

[Aryia]

I read from some post here that you might be able to take your fish on the airplane with you. Might be worth calling your airline and seeing if they'll allow this.

 

[clementchee]

Pay someone to do it