Auto feeders.

XNavyDiver · Oct 11, 2017

CodyRVA said:
I understand the point of the OP, that being said; an auto feeder is superfluous when considering the plethora of other potential failures that are not being accounted for if we are to assume the system will have no human interaction for an extended period of time.

Ok, I'm not sure how I deserved your first snarky reply in my line inquiry about an auto feeder, but I let it pass. Now you show your true colors by calling my inquiry "superfluous" and your assumption I haven't accounted for other potential problems when it comes to my tank. I'm not sure how my OP gave you that assumption, so I'll assume it was sheer arrogance. How bout them apples?? But, hey, congratulations! You're the first poster in my ignore list!

CodyRVA · Oct 11, 2017

XNavyDiver said:
Ok, I'm not sure how I deserved your first snarky reply in my line inquiry about an auto feeder, but I let it pass. Now you show your true colors by calling my inquiry "superfluous" and your assumption I haven't accounted for other potential problems when it comes to my tank. I'm not sure how my OP gave you that assumption, so I'll assume it was sheer arrogance. How bout them apples?? But, hey, congratulations! You're the first poster in my ignore list!

I think you misinterpreted my first post. The meme I shared is a common joke from a funny movie... I was simply trying to point out that there are a plethora of other potential problems when a system is left unattended over a long period of time. So, with that being said, yes, an auto feeder is superfluous considering you could suffer from pump failure, loss of power, ruptured seals, electrical shortages, etc.

I can assure you it was not a personal jab, but an attempt to reveal the potential for a much more serious problem than hungry fish. As a reefer that ravels a lot; I have made the mistake of gambling by leaving my system unattended for days; hungry fish were the least of my problems. Given the stage of an open forum my advice is to maintain your system with human attendance vs investing in an auto feeder per the issues mentioned above; an auto feeder won't do much good assuming any of those issues arose. Lastly, I never advise fellow reefers to introduce new equipment without several months of use before leaving said equipment unattended or under the supervision of anyone else.

Emerson · Oct 12, 2017

I left my tank for 3 weeks with an ATO on a 20 gal Brute and the Apex 2016/Neptune AFS (a neighbor did check on it for me every 5-7 days, and I set up an Arlo wi-fi camera for a little peace of mind). I haven't used any other auto feeder, but the Neptune AFS worked great for me, especially already having the Apex controller. Agree with earlier comment that if you're careful and deliberate, should be no problem with spilling food. Yes it's noisy (not loud) when it runs, but we're talking 2-3 minute period a few times a day, right? Hikari pellet food works well.

tupes · Oct 12, 2017

I'm another Eheim auto feeder user no complaints. Easy to program.

XNavyDiver · Oct 12, 2017

Emerson said:
I left my tank for 3 weeks with an ATO on a 20 gal Brute and the Apex 2016/Neptune AFS (a neighbor did check on it for me every 5-7 days, and I set up an Arlo wi-fi camera for a little peace of mind). I haven't used any other auto feeder, but the Neptune AFS worked great for me, especially already having the Apex controller. Agree with earlier comment that if you're careful and deliberate, should be no problem with spilling food. Yes it's noisy (not loud) when it runs, but we're talking 2-3 minute period a few times a day, right? Hikari pellet food works well.

Thank you. Great post. And the suggestion on the pellet food also.

Andy G · Oct 12, 2017

XNavyDiver said:
Thank you. Great post. And the suggestion on the pellet food also.

I'm also using Extreme Algae small pellets (there are 2 sizes), mixed with NLS 0.5 size. Using the AFS in the smallest setting, and run 3 rounds. If i switch to a larger setting the amount feed significantly varies, sometimes one turn is too much.

Anyway long story short to save you time testing, i believe it's safer to make it turn more times, than risking to poor to much.

Another thing that i like about Apex is that if i have to run in the morning and can't feed manually, i can feed remotely.