Automatic Feeder

[CACAdmin]

At some point, I'd like to be able to go away for several days... maybe even a week or so and I'd rather not have to ask someone else to feed my fish. So I thought of looking into getting a couple of automatic feeders (yes, a couple, I have more than one tank... like most everybody else...:laugh: ).

I was wondering if anyone else uses or has used them in the past, your experiences and if there is something you could recommend that's reliable but not too expensive.

[hp10BII]

I have an Eheim battery powered feeder, supposed to be the cat's meow with little ventilation holes to keep your food dry and moldy free. It's important to keep your food dry...don't want the food to moisten up with condensation then jamming the opening.

http://www.pethobbyist.com/petproductreview/view.php?id=3

I say it's supposed to be the cat's meow 'cuz I haven't used it in 2 years of ownership. I've been gone for anywhere from a few days to a week and the fishies were fine without food. No food, less waste, better water quality.

So unless you have fry or juvies that needs regular feedings, I would save my $$ because it is pricey. BA was having a boxing week sale on the Eheim feeder's, < $50, IIRC.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks. I think I'll check it out. I guess my fish in the 70G would probably be fine (but probably more than a little annoyed with me when I got back :laugh: ) but I do have a fry tank so they would need to be fed. I like the idea of something that guarantees to keep the food dry.

As for you, that's one expensive gadget to have sitting around doing nothing. (Would you like me to test it for you? as a rent rental of course? ;) )

[Melody]

Put all of your plants in the fry tank and go - lots of infusoria there to keep them going :D . You could also get a Vinegar Eel culture - they can last for a long time in water.

[CACAdmin]

Most of my snails are in my fry tank... infusoria from them too, I gather. When you said Vinegar Eel culture my first reaction was :Eeewww: ... it was the word 'eel' ... not my favorite critter. But I Googled 'Vinegar Eel culture' and found out how tiny they are... so I think I might be able to handle that. :twitcy:

[Jonesy]

Really curious on if the autofeeders work. I've got the same situation comin up in April where we'll be away for two weeks....can't wait to hear how you made out

[CACAdmin]

Not sure when I will be going away... not until Spring at least (well, Spring here in 'Lotusland' ;) ). It may be around the same time you are going away or even later. However, I will definitely let you know my approach & how it works out. Actually, I'd be tempted to try a 'dry run' and monitor it just to see how my critters fare.

Will keep you posted.

[Jonesy]

In the research that i have done, they advise a dry run of at least three weeks. Not sure if three weeks is required but it would give alittle piece of mind on the moisture build up.....

Just alittle food for thought.......yes that pun was intended;)

[mykiss]

Well, somtimes Super Pet or Petcetra has fish feeders on sale. I personally don't use one when I go away and I let the fish starve for a few days. I've left them unfed for 4 days without problems. But I've never done any more than that. Some people think that if they do one last super feed before they leave, it would be good. That's wrong I think since all you are doing is adding a load of nutrients in the tank so that it will get dirty faster.

Before I leave, I do a massive water change and just do regular feedings until you leave.

[BC_Kron]

I agree w/ MyKiss...don't do the super feed before leaving!!!! When I've gone outta town for a week, I fed only once a day for the two days before leaving, get them used to a little less food, and then put in one of the SMALL slow release food thingys, sorry I don't know what they are called, when I came home the water was fine and there was a little chunk left that I removed...I then waited till the next day to resume regular feedings...good idea to do a good water change before going. Has anyone else used these "thingys"? What's your input on their use? Anything less than a week, they get nothin"!


Jackie

[hp10BII]

I think the "thingys" you're referring to are the vacation blocks? From what I've read, it's plaster of paris combined with something for nutrients. I prefer just to go without, I've done up to a week w/o food a few times with no casualties, no problems other than the fish being a little shy when you get back. Big water change before and after, the fish less for wear.

The ladies @ Fin-Omenal's in Richmond feed only a couple times a week. Better water conditions, less algae to contend with.

[CACAdmin]

Wow thanks everyone for your input. It's combined experience that best assists in making a decision.


The ladies @ Fin-Omenal's in Richmond feed only a couple times a week.


I could let them go without while I was away, but I'm such a sucker for my fish rushing to the top of the tank eagerly awaiting food, that even if I tried feeding them less than once a day, I'd cave in.:laugh: (I think they know it too. ;) )

[Melody]

The ladies @ Fin-Omenal's in Richmond feed only a couple times a week. Better water conditions, less algae to contend with.

I definitly wouldn't do that on a regular basis. They need a decent diet for overall health and immunity, especially in crowded store conditions, in my opinion. My convenience is never a good enough reason to make the creatures suffer, the way I see it.

Regardless, the block feeders are better than they used to be and it often depends on your water as to how they work. Some places have water that disolves them in record time so they can potentially foul the tank. Here in BC (or where I am in BC anyway) one block will last forever. They're good for snails - lotsa calcium and they can harden your water a tad.

I know an acclaimed fishkeeper who leaves his fish unfed for weeks when he goes to Europe. They do fine and don't look like they're starving when he returns. Lots of plants will provide infusoria and they'll also eat the plants. Floating Duckweed could keep herbivores/omnivores (and maybe even carnivores in a pinch) going indefinitly.

[CACAdmin]

I have an Eheim battery powered feeder, supposed to be the cat's meow with little ventilation holes to keep your food dry and moldy free. It's important to keep your food dry...don't want the food to moisten up with condensation then jamming the opening.

http://www.pethobbyist.com/petproductreview/view.php?id=3

I say it's supposed to be the cat's meow 'cuz I haven't used it in 2 years of ownership. I've been gone for anywhere from a few days to a week and the fishies were fine without food. No food, less waste, better water quality.

So unless you have fry or juvies that needs regular feedings, I would save my $$ because it is pricey. BA was having a boxing week sale on the Eheim feeder's, < $50, IIRC.

Well, I ended up purchasing the Eheim feeder for my 70g and used it whilst I was away (12 days). It is programmable to multiple feedings per day but I set it only for 1 feeding as I felt it was better to feed less as water changes wouldn't be done whilst I was away. I did a trial run and the fish quickly learned where the food was dispensed. It worked very well. With 4 possible programmable feedings per day and the ability to control the amount fed, I think it would be versatile enough for most situations.

Oh, and I also provided variety by layering different types of flakes in the feeder so the fish wouldn't get bored with the same food every day.

[hp10BII]

Thanks for the review! Maybe that'll move me to try mine now...:laugh:

Well, maybe not, I have to re-read the instructions every time I pull it out.

[CACAdmin]

Definitely don't lose the instructions! Programming it wasn't difficult but not terribly intuitive (or maybe that's just me:laugh: ).

[Katalyst]

I know this is an old thread but as the summer will end soon I will have to make a few trips out to Florida to see the folks for at least 2 weeks at a time. I'm already have anexiety about leaving the fish. Every single one of the neighbors were literally posted out to other bases a month ago :( , so its a bit like a ghost town here at the moment. I would rather not rely on hoping to find someone in time, so the answer seems to be automated feeders (at least in some tanks). In some tanks I will leave plants but 2 weeks but in others I'd definately need a feeder. In the past I tried plants with goldfish as a test run, they ate and ate the plants within two days and the water was pretty foul. In their case for their own good I'm going to need an automated thingamabob. I'm also hoping for some fry in the near future as a few keep releasing eggs, they've just yet to be fertilized.

Jay I'm wondering if you ever did a 3 week test run and which model eheim you picked up. It looks like I'll need to buy a few which doesn't necessarily make me happy with all the $$$ money flying out the window but I'd rather spend the money then not see the folks for the holidays. Plus my Mother would kill me...The rest of my family won't venture here past October the chickens lol. Its TOO cold! And like I mind wearing shorts for Christmas!

[CACAdmin]

I never did do a 3 week test... more like a 3 day test... I find it hard not to do my regular feedings by hand when I'm here. I approach the tank and all these fish come begging. What can I say?

I was away for 12 days. So this is what I did:

I moved all my fish into 2 tanks.

20G Fry tank:
No feeder as there were lots of plants and snails (so lots of infusoriafor the fry). However, my sister was still worried and insisted on getting some vacation feeders (she worries more about my fish than I do:;): and so my fry tank got 1/2 disc of TetraWeekend (5 day) gel discs. Not sure but I have a feeling that my snails probably ate that up right away... doubt it lasted 5 days.

70G Community tank:
Eheim 3581 Automatic Feeder. Filled feeder and left feeder open 1/3 way. Set to only feed once a day. (less food=less waste). 2/3 the food still left in feeder upon return.
Everybody survived my absence.

This Ehiem Feeder model: http://www.eheim.com/autofeeder.htm

Hope this helps.

[hp10BII]

Here's a review on the newer model, it seems like the original is still the way to go by far:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=57042

Couldn't find the original online @ BA's, maybe they're phasing them out? Seems like they still got them @ J&L's:

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/food.php?product_ID=em-zfeed

[Katalyst]

Well its much cheaper then the Rena model I was origionally looking at. Thank you for your input. $42 is a lot easier to swallow then $90! The snails will be getting feeder blocks, everyone else will be doing the automated thing I'm thinking. Gee being that I'll HAVE to shop at J&L in the near future I'll just have a peek at what else they have.

[KnaveTO]

If I remember correctly Menagerie has the Eheim Auto Feeders for around $45

[Katalyst]

If I remember correctly Menagerie has the Eheim Auto Feeders for around $45
I have to get there one of these days! With me online shopping seems to be safer/cheaper for me though. Pay pal is not monitored and as it is I'm getting fish from Melody and Pam and my breeder in the next little while. So I need to keep myself out of the LFS!:laugh: Plus then I'd have a reason to try the Dainichi Veggie's out with the fiddies.

[traco1]

I've got the Eheim autofeeder running on my juvenile discus tank. It's loaded with pellets and feeds 4 times a day. This is when I am home. If going away, I cut the feedings back to just breakfast and supper along with a big water change before leaving.

It is nice to have also when I'm away for the day and can't get my juvenile discus fed, a bit of piece of mind.

[KnaveTO]

Oh but Kat... Harold is supposed to have a nice shipment of Apistos, Cories and Shrimp comming in 2 weeks today :DevilGrin:

Oh by the way... how often does the trooper get on here.... mother taught me never to anger men with guns... lol

[Katalyst]

Not too often, and if I'm still alive then I'm pretty sure you're safe. Most people are astounded when they meet me that someone actually puts up with him. Meanwhile I'm astounded that he puts up with me, but I don't tell them that.

One of my trilineatus is laying eggs right this moment, and since I thought all 6 of them were boys lol, I'm excited and hope their fertile. She's a sneaky lil thing so I'm headed back to keep a watchful eye so I can snag them when she's done. :rolleyes:

[traco1]

Ooo, snag those eggs and hopefully, in a couple of days, you've have some fry!

[Katalyst]

Oh but Kat... Harold is supposed to have a nice shipment of Apistos, Cories and Shrimp comming in 2 weeks today :DevilGrin:

Oh by the way... how often does the trooper get on here.... mother taught me never to anger men with guns... lol

ENABLER! :FishOnDaHead::rofl:

[Melody]

Jay, you should snag the info from this thread and post it as an article by 'the collective'. This topic comes up reasonably often and I'm sure people would find it useful in the future.

Great trip ya got planned there Kat! Not that I'll need one anytime soon, but are there feeders that would allow you to feed every 2 days? That would be the ideal when you can't do waterchanges, in my opinion, especially for longer trips.

I've also heard that people add aquarium salt to counter the pollution effects when they're away from home.

[Toirtis]

The Eheims are good...I also like the Pentair and Renas, although they are not cheap.

[Katalyst]

One more Eheim question if I may. How many feeding slots are there? I can't seem to find any information on how many feedings. It states it will feed up to 4 times a day but I'm wondering for how long. I'm looking for a unit that will feed for at least 2 weeks.

[CACAdmin]

My Eheim has 4 timed settings (one dispensing slot). The interior dimensions of the storage compartment for the food are 2.5 in x 2 in roughly (about 2.25 in. wide at the top but it tapers to 2 in and has rounded corners) ... holds 3/4 cup of flake food (smaller flakes).

[Katalyst]

My Eheim has 4 timed settings (one dispensing slot). The interior dimensions of the storage compartment for the food are 2.5 in x 2 in roughly (about 2.25 in. wide at the top but it tapers to 2 in and has rounded corners) ... holds 3/4 cup of flake food (smaller flakes).

Thanks Jay, I ended up going out and getting one. The one thing however I'm unhappy about is you have to feeding leave the door open. If I leave a bag of flakes open overnight they go stale. For the $55 bucks I shelled out I'm pretty dissapointed in that feature. I think I'm going to look into other models.

[CACAdmin]

Hadn't really thought about that. Thre is the little fan to keep the moisture out but that's it. If you haven't used it, I'm sure you can get a refund.

[Katalyst]

Hadn't really thought about that. Thre is the little fan to keep the moisture out but that's it. If you haven't used it, I'm sure you can get a refund.
Just me being neurotic I guess...They'll take it back. It kills me to spend the extra jing on the Rena but it kills even more to spend $60 to feed them stale food.

[hp10BII]

Just me being neurotic I guess...They'll take it back. It kills me to spend the extra jing on the Rena but it kills even more to spend $60 to feed them stale food.

Better to be safe. I've never used flakes though, I get a better uniform drop with pellets.

[Katalyst]

Better to be safe. I've never used flakes though, I get a better uniform drop with pellets.

Thanks, can't use pellets on the specific tank I'm using it for. Fish with SBD whol flip on every type of pellet I've tried so far. But I just found Julian Sprung's sea veggies in flake form so I'll try it with those this week. I actually went back to get a different model and ending up keeping it after the manager at the LFS swore it was much better then any other model they sold.

[CACAdmin]

Julian Sprung's sea veggies... spoiled fishies, eh? :;): Good luck with the feeder and let us know how it goes.

[Melody]

All of my creatures like the sea veggies.:yes:

[Katalyst]

All of my creatures like the sea veggies.:yes:

Mine too! And to date its about the only thing that doesn't make my swim bladder fish flip. I am completely sold on them.