AutoFeeder Recommendations

[LuisJr80]

Hi all,

My family and I will be traveling for the holidays and I am looking for the a good auto feeder. My tank only has a pair of clownies, a LTA and a cleaning crew (peppermint shrimp and snails).

Any suggestions?

 

[blaxsun]

If you have a Neptune system, get the AFS. Avast Marine Plank as a stand-alone. Eheim makes a fairly reasonably-priced smaller feeder as well.

 

[dwest]

I’ve used the eheim for many years. Very reliable and holds plenty of food. Once you get the opening correct for your needs, tape it open. I use NLS pellets and I think pellets work best. Get it fine tuned in advanced.

If you are gone for 3-4 days or less you can also not worry about it.

 

[Natural_Reefer]

I’ve used the eheim for many years. Very reliable and holds plenty of food. Once you get the opening correct for your needs, tape it open. I use NLS pellets and I think pellets work best. Get it fine tuned in advanced.

If you are gone for 3-4 days or less you can also not worry about it.

This and great tips! I have Eheim with pellets to feed 2 times a day. It is capable of doing up to 4 times a day!
Definitely have it set up days ahead so you could see if it works the way u want.
Ideally you don't want too feed too much; especially when you are away. Thee fishes could go a long time with limited feeding.

 

[LuisJr80]

If you have a Neptune system, get the AFS. Avast Marine Plank as a stand-alone. Eheim makes a fairly reasonably-priced smaller feeder as well.

Looking into the Eheim now…thanks!

 

[LuisJr80]

I’ve used the eheim for many years. Very reliable and holds plenty of food. Once you get the opening correct for your needs, tape it open. I use NLS pellets and I think pellets work best. Get it fine tuned in advanced.

If you are gone for 3-4 days or less you can also not worry about it.

So I believe it’s safe to say that fish don’t need to eat everyday?

 

[Natural_Reefer]

So I believe it’s safe to say that fish don’t need to eat everyday?

Yes, in most cases but it might cause aggressions or nipping of corals in reef tank. In your case, I would say pretty safe!

 

[Shunopoli]

If you have a Neptune system, get the AFS. Avast Marine Plank as a stand-alone. Eheim makes a fairly reasonably-priced smaller feeder as well.

I was looking to getting this, but I have heard bad reviews and that they are really loud

 

[Gtinnel]

I was looking to getting this, but I have heard bad reviews and that they are really loud

I like my AFS, but the reviews are correct it is incredibly loud.

 

[blaxsun]

So I believe it’s safe to say that fish don’t need to eat everyday?

Mine eat anywhere from 8-10x daily (small feedings).

 

[Ajayabb]

How long will you be away. ? Do you have an ATO too? If just away for a week or less you shouldn’t need a feeder. If longer than that I have the Avast Plank Feeder which works really well

 

[dwest]

So I believe it’s safe to say that fish don’t need to eat everyday?

They should eat a couple of times a day (for clownfish) for long term management. If you are gone a few days they will be fine without feeding though.

Its somewhat risk management in my view. It’s much less risky to your tank to not feed for a few days vs to have someone that doesn’t know what they are doing come over and feed. It’s also less risky to not feed them vs. being in a hurry to set up an auto feeder and feeding too much.

The good news is you have at least 2 real good options for feeders.

 

[LuisJr80]

Yes, in most cases but it might cause aggressions or nipping of corals in reef tank. In your case, I would say pretty safe!

It’s a new tank (about 4 months old) so no corals just yet.