Automatic Fish Feeders? What would you suggest?

[Terr-c]

I'm getting ready to head to the beach for five days and I have no one to feed my fish while I'm gone. What would you suggest is the best auto fish feeder? I do tend to over feed since I worry about my shy fish getting enough to eat. I only have (7) fish in my tank currently. The Tangs (Blue & Yellow) are pigs and eat everything in minutes (flake and mixed mysis & krill), leaving my (2) clowns and firefish to fight for anything they can get. The Bangii Cardinals are agressive eaters also. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good auto feeder?

 

[Gernader]

Eheim is a good one

 

[Terr-c]

@Gernader Thank you, have you had any experience using this one? Just curious if it has any quirks.

 

[Cell]

+1 eheim. Cheap, yet effective.

 

[Miller535]

I love everything apex. But I really did not like the neptune auto feeder. And it did not even last long. I am going to buy a eheim myself.

 

[KoTS]

+ 2 on eheim. Cheap and does the job.

 

[Terr-c]

@Gernader @Cell @Miller535 Sounds like eheim it is. Thank you all for the replies!!

 

[Gernader]

@Gernader Thank you, have you had any experience using this one? Just curious if it has any quirks.

Yes, I used one when I had to go on a 2 week vacation and when I came back, the fish were healthy and fat! Just make sure to test it a week before you leave

 

[Terr-c]

@Gernader Definitely will test. Just watched a video on it and I'm hoping all the food doesn't go out the overflow since it drops it on top of the water. I usually put the pinch in the water and then release.

 

[ubasu]

@Gernader Definitely will test. Just watched a video on it and I'm hoping all the food doesn't go out the overflow since it drops it on top of the water. I usually put the pinch in the water and then release.

You can get a feeding ring and put it underneath it.

 

[Gernader]

@Gernader Definitely will test. Just watched a video on it and I'm hoping all the food doesn't go out the overflow since it drops it on top of the water. I usually put the pinch in the water and then release.

Yep, a little bit of the food will go in the overflow, but I have seen some people added a small long pipe in the food opening, so that it will drop them underwater.

 

[Terr-c]

You can get a feeding ring and put it underneath it.

Great idea, never thought of that. That's why I love this place, everyone has soo much knowledge and advice!!

 

[Terr-c]

Yep, a little bit of the food will go in the overflow, but I have seen some people added a small long pipe in the food opening, so that it will drop them underwater.

@Gernader Another great idea if I can figure out how to rig one up.

 

[JJKK]

There is an Eheim Feeding Station that the Eheim auto feeder sits perfectly on:

Eheim Feeding Station

 

[Big G]

I made a feeding tube out of 3" diameter pvc pipe. Cut the pipe long enough to reach a bit under the water level and drilled a couple of small holes in the top end to attach the pvc pipe to my 1/4" mesh tank cover using zip ties. So it "hangs" below the mesh tank cover with the feeder sitting on top. Works great.

And you can setup the Eheim to do multiple feedings during the day too. Nice feature.

 

[Terr-c]

There is an Eheim Feeding Station that the Eheim auto feeder sits perfectly on:

Eheim Feeding Station

That is awesome @JJKK I was just in the middle of purchasing a feeder ring. Thank you!!!

 

[Terr-c]

Thank you EVERYONE, the new auto feeder with the feeding station is on the way!!

 

[jhall2242]

I too purchased the eheim and a feeder ring. I have been testing it before vacation on a new tank with two clowns. I put tape over the opening but it is still very inconsistent. Some morning I will press the button and it dumps 6 pellets. Some mornings it will dump 20. I need to keep tweaking it. I usually just have it dump in my hand then I feed to the tank while testing.

 

[Terr-c]

I too purchased the eheim and a feeder ring. I have been testing it before vacation on a new tank with two clowns. I put tape over the opening but it is still very inconsistent. Some morning I will press the button and it dumps 6 pellets. Some mornings it will dump 20. I need to keep tweaking it. I usually just have it dump in my hand then I feed to the tank while testing.

Thank you for the information. I will test mine too.

 

[jwt1603]

I too purchased the eheim and a feeder ring. I have been testing it before vacation on a new tank with two clowns. I put tape over the opening but it is still very inconsistent. Some morning I will press the button and it dumps 6 pellets. Some mornings it will dump 20. I need to keep tweaking it. I usually just have it dump in my hand then I feed to the tank while testing.

That's how I dialed mine in. I put two with the feeding stations on my tank at opposite ends. I schedule them to go off at different times throughout the day when we're gone for more than two days.