How many holiday blocks should I put in my aquarium?

Krzysztof: How many holiday blocks should I put in my aquarium?
I have a 25 gallon aquarium with 8 tropical fish in it. I have only had the fish for 2 months. I am going away for 4 days tomorrow. I have a pack of holiday blocks and the package says the one will last for 5 days. Will the fish survive with only one holiday block for 4 days? Should I put 2 of them in just to be safe?

Answers and Views:

Answer by indigo
If you’re only going away for 4 days, I would just feed them quite well the day before you go and leave them without food til you get back.

Those holiday blocks can dirty up your water pretty badly, and the fish will be fine without food for a couple of days.

Answer by alanna b
holiday blocks are bad they over feed and dirty your water. just feed them right before you leave and when you get back and they should be fine.

fish can go a couple of days without eating. if you ever plan on leaving for longer then that have a friend pop in every other day and feed lightly

Answer by patrice
I would never use those block. 4 days is nothing for your fish. They can last much longer without food. If I live for less than a week, I don’t worry. for more than a week, I ask a friend to feed them every few days.

Answer by barney9651
Everyone here is totally on target. I don’t use holiday blocks for any reason anymore- they’re kind of a waste of money, and they do contaminate the water.

They day before you leave, give them 3-7 small feedings, only what they would eat in less than three minutes. That should just about do it.

As many tropical fish can eat aquarium plants, one thing you might consider doing to give them a safe, clean food alternative while you’re gone is to pick up a bundle or two of natural aquarium plants from your local pet store. The fish will tend to pick a them, cleaning algae off them and maybe even nibbling a couple pieces off. This will give them something to munch on while you’re gone. I’m not sure what types of fish you have, but this will be especially true in the case of algae eaters, black mollies, goldfish, and other species.