Alexa - Feed the fish | Smart fish feeder?

[Sean W.]

Hey guys,

Can anyone point me in the direction of a smart fish feeder?

I travel often for work and social life so I'm not always around to feed my fish, but I also don't want to get a "dumb" fish feeder that just feeds once a day no matter what.

I want to be able to pull up an app on my phone, click a button and feed the fish from anywhere. Or when I'm home say, " Alexa, feed the fish". Or just feed them the good ol fashioned way if I want.

Thanks for any guidance!

 

[Ludders]

Not sure about internet connected features, but I know the Tetra Connect is wifi compatible and controlled via an App. Suspect it would just be programmable over the LAN though.
The Plank also looked like a good option to me.
I am home a lot, but wanted something for when I do go away, so am always looking at auto feeders as the one I currently have is okay but limited.

 

[JasonK84]

I bet someone could pretty easily make one up using the feeding drum and rotate motor of a dumb feeder and wiring it up through a Raspberry Pi or something instead of the little 12h/24h chip they come with. I’m interested in seeing what others come up with here.

 

[JasonK84]

@Ranjib
Your a reef pi guru aren’t you? Any thoughts on the fish feeder that can be remotely activated through an app or through Alexa?

 

[neo1738]

Concern is what if you are on vacation and wifi goes out? Then you can't feed your fish. Sometimes the dumb feeders are better for that situation. Not a bad idea but think of a backup.

 

[JasonK84]

Concern is what if you are on vacation and wifi goes out? Then you can't feed your fish. Sometimes the dumb feeders are better for that situation. Not a bad idea but think of a backup.

All of our smart equipment for tanks are WIFI devices. Apex included. Why would a wifi feeder be any different? So, maybe the wifi is down right at the moment you try to feed but try again after a few minutes.
Or am I missing something that you see being a big problem if the wifi goes down?

 

[neo1738]

All of our smart equipment for tanks are WIFI devices. Apex included. Why would a wifi feeder be any different? So, maybe the wifi is down right at the moment you try to feed but try again after a few minutes.
Or am I missing something that you see being a big problem if the wifi goes down?

My inkbird doesn't stop heating if wifi goes out but a feeder that only works when you tell it to via wifi.....

 

[JasonK84]

My inkbird doesn't stop heating if wifi goes out but a feeder that only works when you tell it to via wifi.....

Seams like a question for the reef pi people. That isn’t me because I’m not that smart. I do know there are crazy complex tasks that people can program and they can surely do this very simple thing.

 

[Tastee]

Neptune Apex has Alexa integration so you could invest in an Apex and their AFS (automatic feeder). I have an Apex and Alexa integration on both my tanks, love it. Not cheap but very effective and lets you automate lots of things.

’Alexa, tell Apex Fusion to feed the fish’

 

[neo1738]

Seams like a question for the reef pi people. That isn’t me because I’m not that smart. I do know there are crazy complex tasks that people can program and they can surely do this very simple thing.

Yes some programming that if not activated within x amt of time to activate would be prudent. Then that kind of defeats the purpose of a feeder that you use remotely and might as well have a "dumb" feeder. Seems the OP initially mentioned wanting a feeder that only worked when told to and remotely. My caution was if this is the only way to feed the fish be careful. Now if you want a pi based feeder for a treat type of food and another for regular while on vacation that's fine.

 

[Sean W.]

Not sure about internet connected features, but I know the Tetra Connect is wifi compatible and controlled via an App. Suspect it would just be programmable over the LAN though.
The Plank also looked like a good option to me.
I am home a lot, but wanted something for when I do go away, so am always looking at auto feeders as the one I currently have is okay but limited.

I looked into that Tetra Connect feeder, seems to check off all the boxes I want except for Amazon Alexa control, if I had to choose one of the features that I would be okay with loosing, it would be that one. It's a nice to have, not a must have. The must have is being able to control the feeder from my phone, which it looks like the Tetra Connect feeder can do. I grabbed one on Amazon for $35, will report back how I like it.

I found almost no information on the feeder, except from the very limited description on the Tetra website, so we will see. I got it from Amazon, so if it falls short, I can just return it. Cross your fingers for me!

 

[Stang67]

I am in need of a new feeder how did this one work out for you?

 

[Sean W.]

I am in need of a new feeder how did this one work out for you?

Garbage. The app was trash, and you can only control the feeder while you are connected to the wifi, as soon as you are out of wifi range, it becomes just like any other dumb feeder.

I did however find a much better solution, it is a little more involved, it's not an all in one solution, but it does EVERYTHING I wanted in a smart fish feeder. Check out my thread below outlining what I did.

Alexa - Feed the fish | $90 Solution for a super smart auto feeder

Hey Guys, I would like to present to you my $90 solution for a "smart fish feeder" that makes it possible to: - say "Alexa, feed the fish" - Will also work with "Hey Google" or Siri. Whichever smart home system you have is compatible - Set automatic feeding schedules, up to unlimited times per...

www.reef2reef.com