automatic feeder suggestions

cmejaf30 · 12/07/2007, 10:12 PM

I am going to be leaving for vacation during the Christmas holiday and have never had an automatic feeder. I'm looking at a number of brands online but don't know one from the other. Can anyone suggest a good brand/model that would work good for 2x day feeding? I only have two fish to feed right now in my QT...a blue devil damsel and a flame (so they don't need much food). Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks!

bertoni · 12/07/2007, 10:19 PM

I use the Eheim feeder, and like it.

Lotus99 · 12/07/2007, 10:21 PM

I have a Hydor Equip model (or something like that). It worked well for me on a 4-day trip. You can adjust the amount of food that goes into the tank, and have it feed 1, 2 or 3 times a day. There's also a place to hook up an airpump/air hose so the food doesn't get soggy. I think it has to sit on a flattish surface, though, I'm not sure it can mount on the edge of the tank.

greenbean36191 · 12/07/2007, 10:36 PM

My suggestion on autofeeders is don't get one! Your fish will be fine for a week or two without you there to feed them. They can find food on their own if they need to and they don't even need to eat every day. If you're leaving for more than 2 weeks you really need someone there to watch the tank whether you use a feeder or not.

I made the mistake of using an autofeeder once and due to a power outage, the feeder and lights got out of sync and it was feeding the tank in the dark. After a week I came back to a huge mess of dissolving food, smelly water, algae everywhere, and lots of dead corals. A few years later I had my brother watch the tank while I was out of the country for a few months. He needed to leave for a few days so decided to put on an autofeeder (without asking me). At some point during the week it came unmounted and fell in. Not only did all the food dissolve in the tank, but the batteries corroded into mush. I lost nearly everything.

In the last 9 or so years I've probably left the tank untended at least 20 times ranging between 1 and 2 weeks and the only times there have been problems were the two times there was an autofeeder. IMO it's just another thing to go wrong and it's just unnecessary.

Norward · 12/07/2007, 10:58 PM

I have used the Penn Plax feeder with great success. It is a little simpler that the other models suggested - feeding an amount that you adjust every twelve hours. There are better models but mine has been reliable.

12/07/2007, 10:12 PM	#1
cmejaf30 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 186	automatic feeder suggestions I am going to be leaving for vacation during the Christmas holiday and have never had an automatic feeder. I'm looking at a number of brands online but don't know one from the other. Can anyone suggest a good brand/model that would work good for 2x day feeding? I only have two fish to feed right now in my QT...a blue devil damsel and a flame (so they don't need much food). Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks! __________________ ~Adam Loving a hobby where there are few absolute right answers, many ways of doing things, a lot of good advice and, after all's said and done, a few ppm can cost you a whole lotta dough!! Current Tank Info: 55 gallon w/ 20 gallon refug...MAG 9.5 return, 3 Rio 120 powerheads in DT, 300W heater. 2x96w T5 lights (12K and actinic), 70lbs sand, 65lbs live rock...29 FO right now that will remain up and running and act as my quarantine tank.

12/07/2007, 10:19 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I use the Eheim feeder, and like it. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/07/2007, 10:21 PM	#3
Lotus99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,398	I have a Hydor Equip model (or something like that). It worked well for me on a 4-day trip. You can adjust the amount of food that goes into the tank, and have it feed 1, 2 or 3 times a day. There's also a place to hook up an airpump/air hose so the food doesn't get soggy. I think it has to sit on a flattish surface, though, I'm not sure it can mount on the edge of the tank. __________________ "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

12/07/2007, 10:36 PM	#4
greenbean36191 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 10,598	My suggestion on autofeeders is don't get one! Your fish will be fine for a week or two without you there to feed them. They can find food on their own if they need to and they don't even need to eat every day. If you're leaving for more than 2 weeks you really need someone there to watch the tank whether you use a feeder or not. I made the mistake of using an autofeeder once and due to a power outage, the feeder and lights got out of sync and it was feeding the tank in the dark. After a week I came back to a huge mess of dissolving food, smelly water, algae everywhere, and lots of dead corals. A few years later I had my brother watch the tank while I was out of the country for a few months. He needed to leave for a few days so decided to put on an autofeeder (without asking me). At some point during the week it came unmounted and fell in. Not only did all the food dissolve in the tank, but the batteries corroded into mush. I lost nearly everything. In the last 9 or so years I've probably left the tank untended at least 20 times ranging between 1 and 2 weeks and the only times there have been problems were the two times there was an autofeeder. IMO it's just another thing to go wrong and it's just unnecessary. __________________ Some say the sun rises in the East. Some say it rises in the West. The truth must be somewhere in the middle. Current Tank Info: tore them down to move and haven't had the time or money to set them back up

12/07/2007, 10:58 PM	#5
Norward Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Little Rock Posts: 407	I have used the Penn Plax feeder with great success. It is a little simpler that the other models suggested - feeding an amount that you adjust every twelve hours. There are better models but mine has been reliable.