Auto Feeder... Yes or No?

tr3 · Aug 29, 2018

The title says it all. I was wondering if automatic feeders are the way to go? I already have an Apex so it would not be that difficult to do, but I have been wondering if the risk is worth the reward? If so, I was also wondering what everyone feeds from theirs?

Dsnakes · Aug 29, 2018

I think a lot of people set them up for vacations. I would keep minimal food in it if you are using for convenience. I have heard of them dumping it all before.

Pntbll687 · Aug 29, 2018

I use two feeders, one for each tank. I have the current usa aquachef, and have zero complaints. Feeds every time, was easy to set, and runs on batteries(which were included)

I feed a mix of hikari seaweed extreme and marine s for the large tank, and just marine s for the nano.
The large tank get s fed 3 times a day, and the nano once.

Reefpuck · Aug 29, 2018

I personally don't run one. As mentioned by Dsnakes...I would probably use it lightly as supplement feeding unless you're going out of town. I'm sure there are way more success stories with auto feeders than not out there.

sawdonkey · Aug 29, 2018

I use the cheap Eheim one. I have apex, but don’t have a need to automate something so simple.

I have it feed twice a day. I also feed frozen and nori most days. When I’m out of town town, usually no more than 3-4 days, they just don’t get the frozen or nori, same goes for days when I work late or just forget to feed.

ZoWhat · Aug 29, 2018

Dont expect a set-it-forget-it experience with Apex feeder.

It does a nice job with flakes .....

But you still need human intervention once a week.

Good for 1-2 weeks of vacation but dont expect to load it and forget about it for a month

.

sawdonkey · Aug 30, 2018

skimjim said:
Dont expect a set-it-forget-it experience with Apex feeder.

It does a nice job with flakes .....

But you still need human intervention once a week.

Good for 1-2 weeks of vacation but dont expect to load it and forget about it for a month

.

What about with pellets? My cheap eheim is good to go for months at a time.

braappn · Aug 30, 2018

sawdonkey said:
What about with pellets? My cheap eheim is good to go for months at a time.

X2 on the eheim with pellets.

Put some duct tape on the little door so there is no chance it can move. Set it and forget it.

Pntbll687 · Aug 30, 2018

Anyone else notice that feeders feed a lot more than expected when not on the lowest setting??

Breadman03 · Aug 30, 2018

Yes, I think they are worth it. I feed NLS pellets 7 times daily at the lowest setting, though I'd cut that down for a smaller tank. My goal is consistent feeding across the day.

Pntbll687 said:
Anyone else notice that feeders feed a lot more than expected when not on the lowest setting??

Nope. Anything other than the lowest setting on the AFS is like 1/2 cup of food. lol I was shocked the first time I tested it out though. I even debated filing down the edge of the slider and leaving it "closed" to feed less. I suppose I might use something other than the lowest setting if I was feeding a large food.

doughboy · Aug 30, 2018

I use aquachef feeder to feed ocean nutrition formula 1 small pellets twice daily. been doing this for (>5) years with no issue.
I recently tried eheim because I keep reading good reviews about it, and went back to aquachef as it does not work well for dispensing small pellets. I think using feeder keeps feeding amount and time consistent. The fish all know to go near where the pellets drop every day right before feeding time.

Daniel@R2R · Aug 30, 2018

Great question! I took the liberty of adding a poll to the top.

Geebs19 · Aug 30, 2018

I just went and grabbed the Ehiem and it was super easy to program. I am leaving for the weekend for 5 days and then in November will be gone for 2 weeks. I was worried it would drop too much food, but I was able to get it almost exactly where I want it.

Also I was a bit more worried about how much food it would drop as my fish are in a QT and dont want ammonia to spike.

tr3 · Aug 30, 2018

Seeing as no one posted that they crashed their tank from using one, I am definitely going to try one. My main concern is when I feed pellets now I have to put them below the surface or half of them seem to float on top and go down the overflow. I guess I will just have to mess with it. I love hearing peoples personal experience. Its like gold in this hobby.

doughboy · Aug 30, 2018

tr3 said:
Seeing as no one posted that they crashed their tank from using one, I am definitely going to try one. My main concern is when I feed pellets now I have to put them below the surface or half of them seem to float on top and go down the overflow. I guess I will just have to mess with it. I love hearing peoples personal experience. Its like gold in this hobby.

Get an Eheim feeding station.
https://www.marinedepot.com/Eheim_Feeding_Station_Fish_Food_Clips_Feeding_Stations-Eheim-EH40203-FIFDFECF-vi.html

Jr'sReef · Aug 30, 2018

I use one and put duct tape on the opening to close it off even more on the lowest setting. Now it dumps a little bit of pellets twice each day. Literally lasts a month and I only fill it half way. I have it just as an extra way of getting food in the tank. I like it bc I normally only feed frozen and this in my mind balances it out.

Fish actually no already when it’s almost time for it to go off.

LoneStarReef · Aug 30, 2018

Love my Apex feeder. Set to go off once in the AM then I feed frozen at night. And if I forget to feed and I’m away from the house, I can always feed from my phone.

cloak · Aug 30, 2018

Unless you plan on being away from your tank for LONG periods of time, no.. Even still though a healthy tank can probably go a week if not longer with no food at all. Sometimes the best part of my day is sitting in front of the tank and watching the fish flash trying to get some food. Why would I give that up?