Neptune Systems AFS Feeder LOUD

[SoloGarth]

So I recently purchased the AFS and set it up on my tank. It replaced (for the time being at least) an Eheim feeder that had been running for years.

So my problem, and this has possibly already been discussed, is that the the AFS is ridiculously loud. I have worked very hard to make my tank as silent as possible. It is VERY quiet. So I get this AFS setup and it sounds like a dying transmission being abused by someone who has never operated a stick shift.

In addition to that if you want multiple drum rotations (which I do; 2 rotations 3 times a day, same as the Eheim was setup) the drum has to cycle in and out between each rotation. Why they would make it do this I cannot understand. It makes the process take much longer and the in/out portion of its operation is the loudest part. It should just come out, spin twice, and go back in.

I have really been very impressed with all other Neptune equipment I have. It is very disappointing that they would release a product that makes such an awful racket. Perhaps they were thinking people will only use it when on vacation?? That seems a pretty serious oversight. I feel like this should be a disclaimer on the product description.

*AFS is very loud and irritating. Not for use in occupied space.

I am hoping that as it operates it might quiet down, if not the Eheim is going back on. Anyone else have similar issues?

[Coelli]

It's just that loud. I didn't think it would be as crazy as people say until I watched a video of it, but it's all true.

[SoloGarth]

Originally Posted by Coelli

It's just that loud. I didn't think it would be as crazy as people say until I watched a video of it, but it's all true.

That is pretty disappointing. I don't understand why they would think that that is acceptable. Particularly considering the price.

[slief]

From my aspect, the noise helps let the fish know it's feeding time. The noise never bothers me and my fish congregate under the feeder when it turns on which results in less waste.

They did use on off the shelf mechanism and put an Apex control board into which is in part, why it operates the way it does. While it's not a perfect design, I've run mine since they came out and it's always worked well and never failed me. I've used other feeders before and this one with it's Apex control works better than the others despite it's noise. You can also adjust the feed amount by adjusting the little food trap as opposed to using multiple rotations. The down side to that is the fact that it would dump more food out at once instead of spacing the drops apart several seconds per rotation.

[SoloGarth]

Originally Posted by slief

From my aspect, the noise helps let the fish know it's feeding time. The noise never bothers me and my fish congregate under the feeder when it turns on which results in less waste.

They did use on off the shelf mechanism and put an Apex control board into which is in part, why it operates the way it does. While it's not a perfect design, I've run mine since they came out and it's always worked well and never failed me. I've used other feeders before and this one with it's Apex control works better than the others despite it's noise. You can also adjust the feed amount by adjusting the little food trap as opposed to using multiple rotations. The down side to that is the fact that it would dump more food out at once instead of spacing the drops apart several seconds per rotation.

Well the Eheim works just as well as the AFS and without the noise. Really the only advantage, and why I bought it, is that I can program it more easily.

I understand the idea of the noise signaling the fish. Although I haven't witnessed that myself I feel like there are a lot less irritating methods that could be used for this purpose. I would just use a light as a signal instead personally.

[oseymour]

IMO poorly designed product, I've also heard about instances of people dumping the entire food contents while trying to adjust it.

[r6justin]

I've been using the AFS for a while and it is super loud but is only as loud as someone talking for just 1 minute. I like it because its a reminder that its actually working and we can watch the food drop.

Its a pain to load more food, very hard to get the canister out without removing the lid and have dropped food many times.

also both of the usb ports plugs came off of it. One was off when i opened the box, and the other just came off. They're RMA'ing it though i believe

[jdraider75]

If a little noise bothers you, this is not the auto fish feeder for you. It's loud but easy programming. It is a pain to read fill. I always remove from tank so I don't spill. But it works great. I feed 2 times a day 2 rotations. The noise doesn't bother me, and the fish line up when it starts moving.

[SoloGarth]

Originally Posted by jdraider75

If a little noise bothers you, this is not the auto fish feeder for you. It's loud but easy programming. It is a pain to read fill. I always remove from tank so I don't spill. But it works great. I feed 2 times a day 2 rotations. The noise doesn't bother me, and the fish line up when it starts moving.

Yeah I suppose not. Like I said if they had mentioned that it is really noisy I wouldn't have ordered it. Not at all worth $100. Particularly when you compare it to the Eheim feeder which costs $30. I expected it to be at least as nice as the Eheim for that price. IMO it is actually of lower quality.

*Louder
*Bulkier
*More difficult to fill
*The mounting system sucks compared to the Eheim as well.

The only pro is it can be programmed by the Apex. They are a company with a reputation for making high quality products. This one should not have gone to market as is.

[jerseypete]

It is loud. But it works. The fish learn real fast the sound. The are waiting for the food as soon as it starts. As if someone rang a dinner bell. I bought it just for vacation use. But I have it cycle once at 7pm. Door closed. It's empty. But it reminds me ( cause it is so loud) that it's time to feed fish.
Even the fish caught on. Now they hear the feeder and come to the front of the tank waiting for me. But it was a piece of mind being away for 3 weeks that they were getting fed.

[sixpackgarage]

Originally Posted by SoloGarth

Yeah I suppose not. Like I said if they had mentioned that it is really noisy I wouldn't have ordered it. Not at all worth $100. Particularly when you compare it to the Eheim feeder which costs $30. I expected it to be at least as nice as the Eheim for that price. IMO it is actually of lower quality.

*Louder
*Bulkier
*More difficult to fill
*The mounting system sucks compared to the Eheim as well.

The only pro is it can be programmed by the Apex. They are a company with a reputation for making high quality products. This one should not have gone to market as is.

Which is precisely why anyone including myself would even consider buying it.

The noise is charming.. like an old steam boat.

[SoloGarth]

Exactly

[Tweaked]

To be clear, Neptune does not make it. Made by Lifeguard under the Intelli-feed name. I own two that are not neptunes rebranded units. I like them personally, especially as a dry gonipower, chilli powder type feeder over the return section to my three tanks. I paid about 55$ each at BRS.

[SoloGarth]

Originally Posted by Tweaked

To be clear, Neptune does not make it. Made by Lifeguard under the Intelli-feed name. I own two that are not neptunes rebranded units. I like them personally, especially as a dry gonipower, chilli powder type feeder over the return section to my three tanks. I paid about 55$ each at BRS.

Well they adapted it then. Either way they put their label on it and their reputation behind it. Glad to hear you bought nearly the same thing for half the price too haha.

Perhaps I will take apart the Eheim and see if I can adapt it to be run by the Apex.

[slief]

Originally Posted by SoloGarth

Well they adapted it then. Either way they put their label on it and their reputation behind it. Glad to hear you bought nearly the same thing for half the price too haha.

Perhaps I will take apart the Eheim and see if I can adapt it to be run by the Apex.

The feeder mechanism is the only thing they share in common. Neptune adds their own circuit/control board with Aquabus connections to interface the feeder mechanism to the Apex. In order to adapt that feeder to the Apex, you would need the Apex interface/control board.

[SoloGarth]

Originally Posted by slief

The feeder mechanism is the only thing they share in common. Neptune adds their own circuit/control board with Aquabus connections to interface the feeder mechanism to the Apex. In order to adapt that feeder to the Apex, you would need the Apex interface/control board.

Not necessarily. I could build a circuit that would trigger the feeder and be run on an AC outlet.

The real issue is whether or not it really is worth doing. Probably not. To be totally honest the Eheim did a great job. I only ordered the AFS for the Apex connectivity since it is easier to increase feelings when I am away. I might just run the Eheim for normal situations and use the AFS as a additional feeder for when I'm not there so I don't have to listen to it.

[SoloGarth]

Double post

[MrSandman]

Originally Posted by SoloGarth

Perhaps I will take apart the Eheim and see if I can adapt it to be run by the Apex.

I think it could be done fairly easily by bypassing the manual feed button on the Eheim and replacing it with a low voltage relay. Then connect that relay to your Apex. Of course you'd still have to run off battery power but the Eheim battery lasts a while so it shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience.

I prefer the Apex AFS. Sure it's loud, but it's reliable and plug and play. The loudness could probably be dampened by building a small insulated box around it but it doesn't bother me for all the reasons already stated above. I don't think it's as loud and annoying as you make it out to be but then again, my house isn't a library either. I would say it's slightly quieter than an electric can opener.

[SoloGarth]

Originally Posted by MrSandman

I think it could be done fairly easily by bypassing the manual feed button on the Eheim and replacing it with a low voltage relay. Then connect that relay to your Apex. Of course you'd still have to run off battery power but the Eheim battery lasts a while so it shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience.

I prefer the Apex AFS. Sure it's loud, but it's reliable and plug and play. The loudness could probably be dampened by building a small insulated box around it but it doesn't bother me for all the reasons already stated above. I don't think it's as loud and annoying as you make it out to be but then again, my house isn't a library either. I would say it's slightly quieter than an electric can opener.

Yeah I am just one of those people who is bothered by noise. I will say though that it is at least 10X as loud as the Eheim. The loudest part of my system is the occasional sound of water splashing.

If I am watching TV it is loud enough to make things difficult to hear.

[iClown2]

It's loud but I like it. I've got 4 of them and need 1 more. For me its a greater reminder that the fishes are fed.

[Harry_Y]

Just set it to feed at a time when you are normally not around.

I like that my fish hear it and know it's feeding time.


I never really thought it was that loud (at least not as bad as people make it out to be)

[SoloGarth]

Well I work from home so no normal time I'm not around. I guess noise level is somewhat subjective. It is very distracting and irritating IMO.

[slief]

Originally Posted by SoloGarth

Well I work from home so no normal time I'm not around. I guess noise level is somewhat subjective. It is very distracting and irritating IMO.

On the bright side, at least you and the fish know when it's feeding time.

[SoloGarth]

Originally Posted by slief

On the bright side, at least you and the fish know when it's feeding time.

Well the fish and I knew when it was feeding time with the Eheim. It was just a much quieter noise.

[LefkoNJ]

I was considering getting this as it programable and doesn't require a dedicated power supply/batteries. But based on what everyone is stating it is not a great design, hoping the GEN2 is a better product and worth the money. Tempted but not willing to have the noise.