Neptune AFS Auto Feeder modified with BOA Feeding Ring

rmchoi

New member
This how I modified my Neptune AFS auto feeder to hold a Building An Obsession (BAO) feeding ring.

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My schedule conflicted with trying to feed fish several times day. I decide to try the Neptune automatic feed system AFS to use with the Apex controller. But after using it, some of the food pellets sink, while others floated on the surface...and floated...and floated...then sucked up into the drain to sit in the filter.

It made sense to add feeding ring to contain the food that eventually make it to the fish, not the sump. Started out with the Neptune AFS. Intelli-feed has the same feeder design that could work for this too.

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Building An Obsession makes some amazing acrylic products, but I had no idea they made feeding rings. I found this on their website:

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In the BOA style, it looked clean, simple and unobtrusive! Through trail and error, I tried to mount the Neptune feeder to the BOA feeder stand, but I could not find a way make it work. Great, another paper weight to add to my collection.

It finally occurred to me that both items had tank rim clamps, but I only one is needed. So I removed the clamp from the BAO feed ring and saw that it could be mounted to the Neptune feeder bracket.

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I placed the Neptune feeder on the tank to determine where the BAO ring should be fastened to the feeder mount. I drilled two holes in the acrylic ring and tapped the holes for a 1/4-20 thread.

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Drilled two 1/4" holes in the Neptune feeder mount. These holes slightly larger than the plastic screws. I picked up two plastic screws at the hardware...$.079.

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Cut the plastic screws to length with a Dremel tool.

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So that's the DIY part.
 
Here's what the modified Neptune feeder looks like mounted with the BAO feeding ring. You can see the top edge of the feeding ring sit above the water line to contain any floating food.

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Here is the view from the bottom. You can see the feeding ring extend into the water.

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Simple was the best solution!
 
I need to do this too! I tried cutting my return pump for 10 minutes after the pellets drop but somehow I still got pellets floating in.
 
Great mod!

Awesome idea and demo! I am in the process of mounting my AFS and will incorporate this. Thanks!
Michelle

I need to do this too! I tried cutting my return pump for 10 minutes after the pellets drop but somehow I still got pellets floating in.

great idea. i have been trying to do this but haven't found the right ring. I'm glad you did

Derek

Thanks! ;) The idea seems so simple. Eheim might be the only company to have a feeding ring option for their feeder. Hopefully this becomes a prevalent add on option for more auto feeders.
 
Thanks! ;) The idea seems so simple. Eheim might be the only company to have a feeding ring option for their feeder. Hopefully this becomes a prevalent add on option for more auto feeders.


Nice idea. FYI the Eheim feeding ring works great with the Neptune AFS with no mods at all. I like that it extends deeper into the water to ensure that the food stays below the surface and it has a smaller area.

One optional mod I did to mine was I cut egg crate and glued it to the inside. This keeps the smaller fish from going up into the ring and stealing all the food. Now the food floats at the top (including frozen) and when it defrosts and floats down all the fish have equal opportunity at it. What they cannot grab fast enough goes into the vortech below it and is blasted everywhere below the water surface. A feeding frenzy begins at that point.

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Nice idea. FYI the Eheim feeding ring works great with the Neptune AFS with no mods at all. I like that it extends deeper into the water to ensure that the food stays below the surface and it has a smaller area.

One optional mod I did to mine was I cut egg crate and glued it to the inside. This keeps the smaller fish from going up into the ring and stealing all the food. Now the food floats at the top (including frozen) and when it defrosts and floats down all the fish have equal opportunity at it. What they cannot grab fast enough goes into the vortech below it and is blasted everywhere below the water surface. A feeding frenzy begins at that point.

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Your set up looks great! The BAO feeding ring has a feeder shelf like the Eheim, but it would have required gluing or taping the Neptune feeder to the shelf to hold in place. I wanted a mechanical attachment to ensure it stayed in place over time. Also wanted to be able to separate the two easily. The ring is large enough all the fish, large or small, can get to the food at the same time. So far so good, as all the food stays contained or goes down into the water.

BTW, I like the 90 degree USB adapter to direct the wire down.:thumbsup:
 
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that's fantastic! I just bought an AFS.. but it doesn't work. Never connected. When the replacement arrives, I'm going to copy this!
 
Update: Changed light to ATI Powermodule Hybrid, moved the Neptune feeders back and trimmed the screen frame. Using Neptune Crossover Diet on right feeder and Hikari Seaweed Extreme on left feeder.













 
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