Looking for a good Auto feeder
- Thread starter TimTen
- Start date
Al G Blenny
New member
Get the Eheim one. I have used basically every one there is on the market and most of them are terrible. The Eheim one is by far the best. Just make sure you read the instructions. You might think you have programed it when you actually have one more setting to do. That is the stupid arrows that tell it how many times a day to feed. If you don't set that it won't feed at all. You won't be able to find something that will feed frozen or refrigerated food other than having a person do it. Just use some sort of flake food. If you have an overflow be sure to get a feeding ring so the food stays floating in one place. You can also just make a feeding ring yourself with acrylic. Just make a square frame that reaches the water and braces that will hold that suspended on top of your tank.
Vincerama2
Active member
I agree with Matt on the feeding ring. Without it, my flake immediately got sucked into the overflow!
I used flake food with a rotating penn-plax feeder. it worked, but using it for over a week seems to fail because the flake gets all clumped up by the moisture! Crushing the flake seems to make the feeder work a bit better.
My final advice is to TEST and observe the feeder for a few days before relying on it to feed your fish. Then start it up a couple of days before you go on vacation to ensure it works.
As a backup, I always toss in one or two of those "7 day pyramid feeders" which are those dissolving blocks.
Oh, and clean your skimmer before you go to make sure it will run at optimal efficiency in case of a vacation-time disaster, and also to prevent it from overflowing.
And what about top-off? Make sure your reservoir is full. What I do is add extra RO water to the sump so that it can absorb some un-attended evaporation without pushing the salinity too high.
V
I used flake food with a rotating penn-plax feeder. it worked, but using it for over a week seems to fail because the flake gets all clumped up by the moisture! Crushing the flake seems to make the feeder work a bit better.
My final advice is to TEST and observe the feeder for a few days before relying on it to feed your fish. Then start it up a couple of days before you go on vacation to ensure it works.
As a backup, I always toss in one or two of those "7 day pyramid feeders" which are those dissolving blocks.
Oh, and clean your skimmer before you go to make sure it will run at optimal efficiency in case of a vacation-time disaster, and also to prevent it from overflowing.
And what about top-off? Make sure your reservoir is full. What I do is add extra RO water to the sump so that it can absorb some un-attended evaporation without pushing the salinity too high.
V
Al G Blenny
New member
The only times I see them get clogged is when the feeder is in a canopy that is not ventilated very well and it is really humid or after it has been in use for a month or so without cleaning. If you are going to be gone less than two weeks don't worry about it. The opening is in the up position away from evaporation 99% of the time. Other feeders have it over the water for a lot longer (daily double) if not all the time (pet mate). Just make sure it is not overly humid.
I second the suggestion to run it a few days ahead of time. You don't want to be overfeeding.
I think some other feeding rings are made by Ocean Nutrition and you can also find one of those tubifex/blackworm feeding rings. Some of them have a cone that pops out. You can just use the ring. That would only really work on Euro-braced and glass tanks because it doesn't stick out very far from the inside wall. Most of these rings are attached with a suction cup. The DIY version is much better.
I second the suggestion to run it a few days ahead of time. You don't want to be overfeeding.
I think some other feeding rings are made by Ocean Nutrition and you can also find one of those tubifex/blackworm feeding rings. Some of them have a cone that pops out. You can just use the ring. That would only really work on Euro-braced and glass tanks because it doesn't stick out very far from the inside wall. Most of these rings are attached with a suction cup. The DIY version is much better.
Vincerama2
Active member
I have the "daily double" feeder, plus a canopy. That may be the reason for my clumping/clogging! Next time I'll keep the canopy open.
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MorandiWine
Premium Member
eheim actually has a dual feeder now, so you can feed two different types of dry food.
tyler
tyler
)
MorandiWine
Premium Member
I think the idea with the dual was that you could feed flake and pellets without having them stratify in one tumbler.
tyler
tyler
xinumaster
reef addict
auto feeder
auto feeder
Best auto feeder I had is my neighbor. Not only does he feed the fish he also visually check the tank for any possible trouble. He can also empty the skimmer cap
auto feeder
Best auto feeder I had is my neighbor. Not only does he feed the fish he also visually check the tank for any possible trouble. He can also empty the skimmer cap
Dyngoe
New member
How long of a vacation?
Fish can live without food for 3 days easy. Just "plump" them up a little before and they'll go 4 without blinking.
If you are going longer, get the Eheim. I always have a fish-sitter while I'm gone so I gave mine to a friend and he loves it.
Or.......dump 10 bottles of tigerpods in right before you leave. Those little critters will dash for the rocks and get eaten over the next 7+ days when they come out of hiding.
Fish can live without food for 3 days easy. Just "plump" them up a little before and they'll go 4 without blinking.
If you are going longer, get the Eheim. I always have a fish-sitter while I'm gone so I gave mine to a friend and he loves it.
Or.......dump 10 bottles of tigerpods in right before you leave. Those little critters will dash for the rocks and get eaten over the next 7+ days when they come out of hiding.
Vincerama2
Active member
Do you guys use them only for vacations? Or do you just use it to feed on a daily basis? Feeding is often one of the fun parts of the hobby! (and sometimes the tedious part!)
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