Feeding tubes, beware

[Jordan55]

Well... shows what I know

I guess I never even thought about disease.

Just to back me up a tad and reason for me posting it:

My work got in like 10 different horses about 6-7 months or so. At first I thought they were all the same spieces. Not untill about 2-3 months ago, and about 5 of them sold, I realized there might be two different types.

Well I bought two thinking they were both Reidi, when now one looks more Kuda and one Reidi. I have had them in my tank for probably about 3 months now and they have been together for over 7 months with no visible problems.

So, as you made it more clear Pled, I guess it is just the luck of the risk. Not saying that a disease is ruled out for me, but so far so good.

 

[djc1026]

Chris, I wasn't being accusatory, just wanted to clarify for a wandering newbie that saw that wording, and knowing there is a predominant line of thinking that warns extreme caution in mixing species.

Thanks pledosophy for the short and thorough chime in As always, very informative.

Dave

 

[richardy1990]

I have a question. How do you make a feeding tube? DO you just put a dish at the bottom of your tank and then use a tube and waiut until the food settles in the dish?

 

[finding nemo]

Richard, we use a one inch ridgid tube, put a heater suction cup on it, and then put a feeder under it. I was using a glass ashtray on the floor of the tank to drop the feed to but the bristleworms found the food first before the horses did, so I made a plastic butter dish into a feeder, took a hot ice pick and made a hole for the suction cup part to go thru, then two more holes, one on each end to run a straw thru for the hitch.
Works perfect and keeps the bristles from stealing the food, here is a picture of mine.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/karenssaltwater/6-10-06-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

 

[richardy1990]

Oooh, but I havbe a 12 gallon tank, so its harder b/c of the water flow right? Would i have to put it right under the water pump so that it doesnt blow out?

 

[richardy1990]

wait, can u explains step by step again on how you made the one for the seahorse? i still dont understand soryr

 

[finding nemo]

HI Richard, use anything with a square side to it,(so it will fit flat against the glass ) I used a butter tub. Here are some close ups of mine to show how I made it.
Use anything with no holes in the bottom so that the food doesnt fall thru. I used an ice pick heated up on the stove and run it right thru the plastic to make holes for the straw and suction cup.
One picture is looking down thru the water at it, the straw goes right thru the middle and they hitch to it while eating out of the cup .
If you have any more questions just ask. Happy to help

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/karenssaltwater/feederdirections.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

 

[richardy1990]

wait, what is the straw for??

 

[finding nemo]

See above post

 

[richardy1990]

OOO got it haha sorry... and i have a 12galon tank, so wehre should i put the thing?

 

[finding nemo]

Anyplace that you can feed easily, but towards the bottom so that the seahorse wont have a problem close to the top of the tank, and off the sand so that any critters won't climb in to help themselves.
I took some picture of the horror in my tank with the feeder on the bottom, it is why I built a new feeder.I was using a glass bowl at the time and the bristleworms feasted on the mysis and kept the horses out of the feeder, not any longer with the feeder up higher.
Here is what came out of the woodwork so to speak at feeding time.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/karenssaltwater/bristleworm2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

 

[richardy1990]

ooh, thanks for all your help!! also, does the straw have to come out, or can it just be inside the box?

 

[finding nemo]

Well, it lets them hitch outside if they want to and reach in as mine do when they are bigger, if you cut it off make sure you have enough hanging out so that it does'nt fall into the feeder

 

[richardy1990]

mine doesnt work . Whenever i put the food into the container, it gets blown away by the filter. But oh well, i guess i'll try to make it work for small tanks. Also, i have naother question. i am going away for a week, and my parents dont know how to feed my fish, so can i just buy a work feeder and tell them to throw a frozen mysis shrimp thing in? will this be okay for temporarily?

 

[finding nemo]

You need to move the feeder where it wont get flow, or turn off the filters while they are eating, as for using an automated feeder, no, the food will spoil while you are gone, just show them how much to feed and they can do that for ya.