Recommend an Automatic Fish Feeder to me

[sheepdawg]

I was hoping someone might be able to recommend to me an automatic fish feeder. Half of them quote "no batteries required, just plug it in!" and the others state "no worries for power loss! (batteries not included)". I've tried, but been unsuccessful in finding one that is powered AND has battery backup - is there such a beast?
(If there isn't one, anyone wanna start a business :wink:)

I've had the battery operated eHeim before (feeding my sister's turtle), but low and behold, while we were gone, the balance somehow shifted when it rotated and ended up in the drink - Frodo had a messy tank when we got back, but was well fed!

My main reason for wanting a feeder is to ensure the fish are fed (not sure if having scheduled feedings is any better for the fish?). I'm a 12 hour continental shift worker (flip days to nights constantly) and I can forget to do things, or simply not have the time to during my conscious hours between shifts.

It will be for a 100 Gallon corner tank. I'm not entirely sure what's going to be in it (likely Cichlids) and my monster Rhino Pleco.

**Side note: I'm excited that I will be starting fresh with such a nice tank, however am sad that in trading my standard 120 gallon for it, I lost all 4 of the 2 year old Cichlids I already had. I won't under any circumstances claim to be an avid hobbiest, however I do want to do my best to do this tank correctly right from the start.

Thanks for the help,

T

[Melody]

:Welcome: Fish can go for a long time without food, I'm sure they'd be fine as long as you weren't forgetting often for days on end. Overfeeding will kill many more fish than underfeeding will. Some recommend a feeding schedule but they graze all day in the wild. I personally don't place a lot of importance on a schedule, but that's just me.

That said, check out this thread (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=520&highlight=automatic+fish+feeder) for more info on auto fish feeders.

[PPulcher]

Sheepdawg, if you are set on an auto feeder you might consider getting a wired unit, and one of those standby power things that Canadian Tire has been flogging. You know, the commerical with the guy blowing into his aquarium with a straw during a power failure? You could also add the critical stuff like pumps/filters to the backup.

[sheepdawg]

Both are excellent information. Greatly appreciated.

I'd heard that overfeeding could kill fish, but have never experienced it, so I wasn't sure if it was just a tale. I did know they could go without for a little bit from experience. It makes sense that they feed whenever really.

If I do cave and get a feeder, I might just have to go with the UPS route. Standard batteries are simply a PITA, but being in a smaller community our power isn't always reliable, which at the very least screws up the clock - if not the settings on a plug in.

Thanks again,

T.

[Melody]

Overfeeding kills most often in an indirect way, by fouling the tank water with decaying food and more feces/ammonia. Some fish are more prone to digestion problems than others so they suffer for it if overfed, especially if the food contains too much of something they don't digest well. If fish get overweight, they can have a shorter lifespan as well.

Some hobbyists routinely skip a day here & there, or feed every other day. Breeding & growing fish should be fed more regularly.:smile:

[_BaDgUy_]

I'd recommend a powered unit.

If the power goes out, everything goes out, including lights, heater, and most importantly the filter!

No filter = no fishy waste removal = bad water (ammonia and other bad stuff) :eek:

If the feeder keeps going during an extended power outage, it will foul the water with uneaten foods and fish waste, with no filter to remove all that.

The best case scenario is do like Ppulcher said, get a standby power units to plug in the feeder AND the filter!

[Melody]

Good point!