automatic feeders

cgarr017 · 11/21/2007, 10:35 PM

who out there uses these things and which one do you think is best and why? are there any that release the food under water so that flakes don't get stuck on the surface and get blown off to the overflow and never eaten?

tripntx · 11/21/2007, 11:02 PM

Rondomatic 400, has 28 feeding trays, have it set to drop a tray twice a day at 1015 and 1515 hrs. Return pump and skimmer pumps are turned off from 1000-1045 and again from 1500-1545. Two feedings a day and having 28 trays means I only have to refill it once every 14 days. Powerheads are left on.

sunfishh · 11/22/2007, 02:01 AM

I use the NutraMatic 2x on the FW tanks in my classroom during the summer. It works well, but since the feedings are 12 hours apart you need to time when you put the battery in so that your lights are still on during the second feeding.

amazd · 11/22/2007, 12:10 PM

I've used the NutraMatic as well. They work better with pellet food instead of flakes. The pellets sink faster than flakes so they have a better chance getting eaten instead of overflowed. If they hit bottom before being eaten, you may find the fish eating them off the bottom anyway (especially if they're hungry enough). I've never heard of one that works underwater.

Lotus99 · 11/22/2007, 04:42 PM

I have a Hydor feeder that I use when I go away for a few days. You can have it feed 1, 2 or 3 times a day, and you can set the amount it feeds (useful if you have multiple tanks).

None of my fish seem to like flake, but I used a mix of pellets and freeze-dried mysis last time I was away, and it seemed to work well.

11/21/2007, 10:35 PM	#1
cgarr017 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: virginia beach Posts: 230	automatic feeders who out there uses these things and which one do you think is best and why? are there any that release the food under water so that flakes don't get stuck on the surface and get blown off to the overflow and never eaten?

11/22/2007, 02:01 AM	#3
sunfishh Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fullerton, Ca Posts: 1,875	I use the NutraMatic 2x on the FW tanks in my classroom during the summer. It works well, but since the feedings are 12 hours apart you need to time when you put the battery in so that your lights are still on during the second feeding. __________________ It's nice to be important, but important to be nice

11/22/2007, 04:42 PM	#5
Lotus99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,398	I have a Hydor feeder that I use when I go away for a few days. You can have it feed 1, 2 or 3 times a day, and you can set the amount it feeds (useful if you have multiple tanks). None of my fish seem to like flake, but I used a mix of pellets and freeze-dried mysis last time I was away, and it seemed to work well. __________________ "So long, and thanks for all the fish" Current Tank Info: 125g reef, gobies, cardinals, softies and LPS; 36g Neo Nano tank; 10+ FW tanks

11/21/2007, 11:02 PM	#2
tripntx Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 36	Rondomatic 400, has 28 feeding trays, have it set to drop a tray twice a day at 1015 and 1515 hrs. Return pump and skimmer pumps are turned off from 1000-1045 and again from 1500-1545. Two feedings a day and having 28 trays means I only have to refill it once every 14 days. Powerheads are left on.

11/22/2007, 12:10 PM	#4
amazd Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 52	I've used the NutraMatic as well. They work better with pellet food instead of flakes. The pellets sink faster than flakes so they have a better chance getting eaten instead of overflowed. If they hit bottom before being eaten, you may find the fish eating them off the bottom anyway (especially if they're hungry enough). I've never heard of one that works underwater.