how do you handle multiple feedings a day

[nrbelk]

as the topic asks, how do you do it?

My problem is that I leave for work before the lights turn on and then the lights are only on for about 4 hours after I get home (2 hours of full lights and then two additional hours of only actinics).

How do you get two feedings in? Do I need to change what time my lights turn on/off?

 

[MCCOOL]

Auto feeder

 

[nrbelk]

Hmm, I looked into an auto feeder but I didn't see one that would fit in my nano cube. It has a tight fitting lid and so there was nowhere to place the feeder. Or am I looking at the wrong type?

 

[MCCOOL]

Yes, the lid could certainly pose a problem. Could you alter the lighting schedule to allow you more time with the lights on...

 

[Matt Dean]

Change the light's timing. The fish don't care what time during the day the lights come on, they just want a regular cycle. Set the times so you can enjoy the tank when you are home.

My lights come on around 3:30 and go off at 11:30. That's when I can enjoy them for the longest period, as I am usually home then.

 

[waeleldasher]

I've found that the autofeeder are not effective in my tank due to the surface current that very quickly pushes the flakes to the HOB overflow. But I do feed my fish before going to work, even though the lights are out, they still come to the feeding area and quickly devour the food. When I get home I give them their 2nd feeding and finally 3rd feeding is just before lights out.

 

[MCCOOL]

Feeding rings are handy, as they'll contain the food until it sinks so it doesn't have a chance to make it to the overflows.

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

I feed pellets at 530 and frozen at 830

You can change your lighting times to fit you schedule!

 

[greenbean36191]

Just don't feed multiple times a day. Problem solved. There are very few fish that even need to be fed daily, much less multiple times a day.

 

[acrohead500ppm]

Just don't feed multiple times a day. Problem solved. There are very few fish that even need to be fed daily, much less multiple times a day.

very true, but it is preferable to feed lightly a few times a day, one common kept fish that MUST be fed 2x a day is chromis

 

[aquaman67]

This works.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13988

You can program 4 feedings a day and it sets by time with an actual clock.

You can also program a "double" dose one minute apart so you can dose two smaller feedings instead of one big one.

I use it on two tanks and it's worked for 3 years.

 

[nrbelk]

thanks for all the info!

 

[Fishfish0001]

I've found auto feeders don't do well on Nanos. They tend to feed too much, and fit oddly on the tanks. Just adjust the times.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, I feed many times per day using Arctipods and a BRS 1.1 mL/min doser in a digital timer from Home Depot. The whole contraption is inside of a DIY ice chest made from two nested foam fish boxes. It can run on its own for a week or more using ice in plastic milk jugs to keep the Arctipods cool.

 

[snorvich]

Very clever. I will have to think about that one.

 

[rad1687]

Any pictures of this set up Mr. Holmes-Farley??

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Sorry, I don't have any pictures of it. The styrofoam sits on top of my sump so the plastic tubing outlet sticks just out of the bottom of the styrofoam and ends there, dripping right in front of my return pump which send it to the main tank.

 

[jeff@zina.com]

Do I need to change what time my lights turn on/off?

That's one way. And less drastic than quitting work.

Jeff

 

[berniegermie]

I'm going to try buying a feeding ring, hope it works...

 

[coralrookie]

ring work nicely for me.