automatic feeders

[cabin]

Has anyone used an automatic feeder to feed flake or pellets when away from home for a few days? If so, any brand you would recommend? I tried an inexpensive model once on my freshwater tanks and found the moisture from the tank got into the unit and kept it from dispensing properly. If you spend more money, do they work better?

 

[jessiesgrrl]

Honestly, imo if it is 3 days or so, I'd just leave... However if you have a refugium, you should have someone stopping by on the off chance that something overflows... Nobody is going to starve in three days... and I agree that these are a PITA!

Laurie

 

[Hedonist]

Wynne,

For the tanks I set up and service I use the Nutrafin Profeed plus. It appears to work fine, Ihave not had issues with this brand getting moisture in it. A thought I just had, why not glue a moisture absorbing packet on the inside of the feeder?

I agree with Laurie, a few days weil be okay, I have read that if you feed them well a few weeks or so before you go, the fish can go for a week

If you need someone to check in on them, let me know

Denise

 

[blufyre3]

I agree that you don't have to worry for a couple days. They get really mad at me though. Matt had the auto feeder set for twice a day and I reset to once. They swarm me when I come in now. at least I get to see them. I did had a problem with clumping. I thought it was working and wondered why the amount of food didn't seem to change. The food was stuck to the clear front but the feeder was empty. for about 3 days) Good thought for a moisture pac. If it was big enough not to fall out if it came "un-stuck"

 

[RLMainers]

A few days before we leave on a trip we always set up the auto-feeder so we can see if it is really working. Now, who's to say it will work after we leave, but it gives us peace of mind before we leave for a trip when I'm already a wreck!
If we're going for longer than 3 or 4 days, I try to get a family member to check in a couple of times on the tank. I have written instructions (i.e. If this is happening; do this) which makes it easy for the "babysitter".

 

[blufyre3]

I have a couple of experienced people that check mine if I'm gone. MY sister stayed with my kids and tank while my husband and I were gone for 3 weeks. She broke my skimmer, Rick to the rescue. Rick checked and phosphates were high also, no idea why. He hooked up a remover. Then my anemone moved and she moved rocks to find it and crushed some frags. She let my 13 year old nephew put nori on the clip and he bumped my uv sterilizers. Thank god he didn't break them. So much for no kids in the support room. I was a wreck the whole trip and I was with the couple that I got it from. My husband asked if I was going with him on the moose hunt, leave Friday home Tuesday. ummmmmmmmmmmmmm...........no.

 

[Ewan]

eheim makes a model called "feed air" with an integrated ventilator. For the purpose of removing moisture.

You usually can't go wrong with eheim products.

-Rob

 

[jessiesgrrl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8280968#post8280968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blufyre3
I have a couple of experienced people that check mine if I'm gone. MY sister stayed with my kids and tank while my husband and I were gone for 3 weeks. She broke my skimmer, Rick to the rescue. Rick checked and phosphates were high also, no idea why. He hooked up a remover. Then my anemone moved and she moved rocks to find it and crushed some frags. She let my 13 year old nephew put nori on the clip and he bumped my uv sterilizers. Thank god he didn't break them. So much for no kids in the support room. I was a wreck the whole trip and I was with the couple that I got it from. My husband asked if I was going with him on the moose hunt, leave Friday home Tuesday. ummmmmmmmmmmmmm...........no.

LOL, That's terrible!!

Laurie

 

[blufyre3]

Yea, it's kinda funny now but when you're on a boat and can't come home.......