What's the best auto fish feeder?

bobpiker · 07/26/2012, 09:18 AM

I'll be going on vacation for a week soon and am looking for a recommendation for a reliable automatic fish feeder for my mixed reef. I typically feed 2 mysis cubes a day and a 3x4" piece of nori each day. As it looks like flakes are my real option, what would be the best bet?

I've read somewhere that Eheim makes the best but am looking for alternatives if someone has a better recommendation...also, what model #?

Thanks,
Bob

Allmost · 07/26/2012, 09:27 AM

Eheim is the best and only option I would trust.

only for nori, flake and pellets though ..

thegrun · 07/26/2012, 09:29 AM

I've been using the Eheim for years and it works fine. I did make an acrylic holder with a feed tube that extends down below the waterline. This lets the flake food absorb water and sink into the water table. Otherwise a fair amount of the food floats and gets sucked down the overflow into the sump.

bobpiker · 07/26/2012, 08:14 PM

Thanks, Allmost and TheGrun. Eheim it is then. I like that acrylic add on and will be making something like it as I'm sure the flakes would go right for my corner overflows.

I appreciate your help on this.
Bob

Reefermandan · 07/27/2012, 07:28 AM

I happen to use the SuperFeeder and love it. I chose this one because I can control with my Apex. When away, I like to initiate the feed cycle with my iPhone and watch my reef cam with the iPhone IP camera app.

Steve175 · 07/27/2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefermandan

I happen to use the SuperFeeder and love it. I chose this one because I can control with my Apex. When away, I like to initiate the feed cycle with my iPhone and watch my reef cam with the iPhone IP camera app.

(This makes me feel old . . .)

xmen0075 · 08/28/2012, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve175

(This makes me feel old . . .)

+1 That's cool!!!

xmen0075 · 08/28/2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve175

(This makes me feel old . . .)

+1 Me too!!!

Esardog · 08/28/2012, 07:15 PM

Where do you guys get your acrylic?

Patrick Cox · 08/28/2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esardog

Where do you guys get your acrylic?

Good question. I don't have a way to attach this feeder to my rimless aquarium.

Dr Colliebreath · 08/28/2012, 09:35 PM

Please share more details on the acrylic holder and feed tube. I know you can get acrylic and plexiglass at Home Depot. How do you cut it in those small pieces?

I use a feeding station that is attached to the aquarium wall with a suction cup to keep the pellets and flakes from going down the overflow, but it comes loose frequently. Patrick, you might give one of them a try. http://www.oceannutrition.com/?post=feeding-station

I have 2 Eheim feeders and recommend them.

Tradewinds · 08/29/2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

I've been using the Eheim for years and it works fine. I did make an acrylic holder with a feed tube that extends down below the waterline. This lets the flake food absorb water and sink into the water table. Otherwise a fair amount of the food floats and gets sucked down the overflow into the sump.

Great invention thegrun! Depending on the time it takes to make it, it might be a nice cottage industry for you. Do you sell them?

Patrick Cox · 08/29/2012, 06:02 PM

How does Eheim recommend you attach this feeder to a tank? Especially a rimless!

thegrun · 08/29/2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tradewinds

Great invention thegrun! Depending on the time it takes to make it, it might be a nice cottage industry for you. Do you sell them?

I made eight of them a couple of years ago for a few of the reefers in our local reef club. They are much quicker to make in bulk than individually. I made a version for rimless (pictured) and one for euro-braced that just sat on top of the brace. I doubt the time involved would ever make it profitable to make them (at least for me), but I suppose if there was enough interest I could break out the old table saw and make a few more. I would be happy to send you the plans if you want to give it a go yourself.

milkman55 · 08/29/2012, 07:55 PM

Very cool thegrun! I will look into making one this weekend. I already have the Ehiem feeder. But stopped using it because of the flakes going in the overflow.

What function does the slanted piece of acrylic play in the dump area?

thegrun · 08/29/2012, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman55

Very cool thegrun! I will look into making one this weekend. I already have the Ehiem feeder. But stopped using it because of the flakes going in the overflow.

What function does the slanted piece of acrylic play in the dump area?

The food on the downswing side tends to get blown over the top of the side into the tank if it goes straight up (the 45 was a modification). If you simply made the entire holder a little wider that would work also.

gunlocators · 08/30/2012, 02:14 AM

I am having a chute made for my ehiem hopefully this week I have been using a cut out section from a coke bottle it pretty ugly but it does work

ravi197699 · 08/30/2012, 05:33 AM

very nice build and fairly easy as well nice design and you are right about flakes being float away to overflow .

masonicman · 08/30/2012, 05:55 AM

I used this on a daily basis. I have Anthias and this feeder works really great. In use for over 2 years. Change the batteries once a month. Never fails on Vacation. Can feed up to 3 times a day if need be. 14 slot feeder. It feeds twice while I'm at work.

http://www.amazon.com/Fish-Mate-F14-...e+fish+feeders

07/26/2012, 09:18 AM	#1
bobpiker Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Normal, IL Posts: 349	What's the best auto fish feeder? I'll be going on vacation for a week soon and am looking for a recommendation for a reliable automatic fish feeder for my mixed reef. I typically feed 2 mysis cubes a day and a 3x4" piece of nori each day. As it looks like flakes are my real option, what would be the best bet? I've read somewhere that Eheim makes the best but am looking for alternatives if someone has a better recommendation...also, what model #? Thanks, Bob

08/28/2012, 07:15 PM	#9
Esardog Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Texas Posts: 127	Where do you guys get your acrylic? __________________ 300dd - RO 5000 Ext. skimmer-6 UniqueLED Prism 250 lights-400lbs rock Marco/fiji-280lbs Caribsea Seaflor Special Grade-Reeflo Dart return-Reeflo/Oceans Motions ver 3 CL-Melev built 54x20x16 sump/refugium-BRS GFO/Carbon reactor-RO 140 biopellet reactor-LiterMeter WaterChange/WaterTopOff

08/28/2012, 09:35 PM	#11
Dr Colliebreath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC Vicinity Posts: 1,813	Please share more details on the acrylic holder and feed tube. I know you can get acrylic and plexiglass at Home Depot. How do you cut it in those small pieces? I use a feeding station that is attached to the aquarium wall with a suction cup to keep the pellets and flakes from going down the overflow, but it comes loose frequently. Patrick, you might give one of them a try. http://www.oceannutrition.com/?post=feeding-station I have 2 Eheim feeders and recommend them. __________________ Frank Current Tank Info: 110 Oceanic RR w/35 gal sump and SRO XP2000 int

07/26/2012, 09:27 AM	#2
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	Eheim is the best and only option I would trust. only for nori, flake and pellets though ..

07/26/2012, 09:29 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I've been using the Eheim for years and it works fine. I did make an acrylic holder with a feed tube that extends down below the waterline. This lets the flake food absorb water and sink into the water table. Otherwise a fair amount of the food floats and gets sucked down the overflow into the sump.

07/26/2012, 08:14 PM	#4
bobpiker Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Normal, IL Posts: 349	Thanks, Allmost and TheGrun. Eheim it is then. I like that acrylic add on and will be making something like it as I'm sure the flakes would go right for my corner overflows. I appreciate your help on this. Bob

07/27/2012, 07:28 AM	#5
Reefermandan Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 70	I happen to use the SuperFeeder and love it. I chose this one because I can control with my Apex. When away, I like to initiate the feed cycle with my iPhone and watch my reef cam with the iPhone IP camera app.

08/29/2012, 06:02 PM	#13
Patrick Cox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,697	How does Eheim recommend you attach this feeder to a tank? Especially a rimless!

08/29/2012, 07:55 PM	#15
milkman55 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parkville, MO Posts: 832	Very cool thegrun! I will look into making one this weekend. I already have the Ehiem feeder. But stopped using it because of the flakes going in the overflow. What function does the slanted piece of acrylic play in the dump area?

08/30/2012, 02:14 AM	#17
gunlocators Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 221	I am having a chute made for my ehiem hopefully this week I have been using a cut out section from a coke bottle it pretty ugly but it does work

08/30/2012, 05:33 AM	#18
ravi197699 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 567	very nice build and fairly easy as well nice design and you are right about flakes being float away to overflow .