Best Timer for Plank Feeder

[SeaShine]

I'm getting ready for vacation and bought a Plank Feeder for my 20 gallon AIO. I only have four fish (watchman goby, two clowns and a pink-streaked wrasse). I'd like to feed 3 or 4 times throughout an 8 hour period (still experimenting with the duration). I bought the Nearpow timer suggested by Avast, however, I haven't been able to figure out how to set the timer for just 3 or 4 daily intervals at 20 or 30 secs each. Meanwhile , I'm also investigating using a smart plug with the Smartlife app, which I've heard about but have no experience with. I'm wondering if anyone has used this combination (or has had success with the Nearpow)?

I've looked up the Smartlife app in the App store on my iphone and there are different versions and I'm confused about which one to get. Does anyone know the specific app? I'm also wondering if anyone's had luck with a certain plug that works with that app?

 

[z4chburris]

I'm getting ready for vacation and bought a Plank Feeder for my 20 gallon AIO. I only have four fish (watchman goby, two clowns and a pink-streaked wrasse). I'd like to feed 3 or 4 times throughout an 8 hour period (still experimenting with the duration). I bought the Nearpow timer suggested by Avast, however, I haven't been able to figure out how to set the timer for just 3 or 4 daily intervals at 20 or 30 secs each. Meanwhile , I'm also investigating using a smart plug with the Smartlife app, which I've heard about but have no experience with. I'm wondering if anyone has used this combination (or has had success with the Nearpow)?

I've looked up the Smartlife app in the App store on my iphone and there are different versions and I'm confused about which one to get. Does anyone know the specific app? I'm also wondering if anyone's had luck with a certain plug that works with that app?

Careful using smart plugs. They’re not very reliable. I used the Kasa smart plug, and I like the plugs just not for feeding my tank. Sometimes they get stuck on. Do you have a controller like apex or GHL?

 

[SeaShine]

Careful using smart plugs. They’re not very reliable. I used the Kasa smart plug, and I like the plugs just not for feeding my tank. Sometimes they get stuck on. Do you have a controller like apex or GHL?

Thanks for your reply. No, no apex or GHL. I actually don't know what a GHL is but just looked it up. BRS has one on sale for $319. No reviews though and still does seem a little pricy for ten days away (in addition to the Plank) but I might be getting there....

I've looked into an apex and with only a 20 gallon AIO softies tank, it seemed a little over the top to me. Figuring out how to run the plank using the timers I'm looking at is a but of a conundrum though. I just got a couple of smart plugs (not Kasa) from Amazon yesterday but haven't tried them yet. Having the timer stuck on would be a real nightmare. I also ordered two different versions of Nearpow. The trick with the last Nearpow is you need to feed every hour from what I can see. We can't figure out how to feed three or four times over an extended period with them.

 

[z4chburris]

I only use apex for auto feeding on both my 65g and 10g. It’s very easy to program.

As for GHL, I haven’t set anything up for auto feeding yet but that’s the main controller for my 10g. The one you’re talking about on sale actually. But again I dont know how the auto feeding program works.

The apex does create a lot of peace of mind and it’s controllable from anywhere. Especially convenient if you set up a web or ip cam to watch the tank or auto feeder.

 

[z4chburris]

As for stand alone smart plugs I don’t trust them. I’ve tried them, I wanted them to work, but I’ve had them fail on and that’s not okay if you’re not there to do anything about it.

 

[KStatefan]

There are a couple videos on the Avast youtube page on how to set up timers.

 

[tzabor10]

Careful using smart plugs. They’re not very reliable. I used the Kasa smart plug, and I like the plugs just not for feeding my tank. Sometimes they get stuck on. Do you have a controller like apex or GHL?

Same, the Kasa can be unreliable. Use a reliable controller like Apex

 

[z4chburris]

It looks like the apex controllers are on sale as well. Something like the A3 jr with power bar, should get you the control you’re looking for. I would do some research before buying just to confirm it has all the programming functions as the A3 and Pro.

EB4 & A3 Apex Jr. Controller System Bundle

Essential monitoring & convenient control Knowing the instant something goes wrong in your aquarium is half the battle. Being able to do something about it is the other half. Let the A3 Apex Jr. alert you to potential issues while also being able to control up to 4 pieces of equipment with the...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[dmsc2fs]

I have used Meross plugs for quite a while. 2 of them on Plank Feeders. Sure a plug could fail, so could an Apex. You are asking for a solution for 10 days. Use a smart plug and roll the dice. The odds of failure are small for that short window of time.

 

[SeaShine]

I only use apex for auto feeding on both my 65g and 10g. It’s very easy to program.

As for GHL, I haven’t set anything up for auto feeding yet but that’s the main controller for my 10g. The one you’re talking about on sale actually. But again I dont know how the auto feeding program works.

The apex does create a lot of peace of mind and it’s controllable from anywhere. Especially convenient if you set up a web or ip cam to watch the tank or auto feeder.

Hmm, I saw that Apex is on sale. The Apex classic is out of stock however, and I don't think I can drop $800 or so for the higher model for this. At least not this year. I guess I could call BRS to see if the Jr. would do it but honestly, I think I would sort of be kicking myself since I've dropped a lot of money on my tank lately. But thanks though. I have some options to consider.

 

[SeaShine]

I only use apex for auto feeding on both my 65g and 10g. It’s very easy to program.

As for GHL, I haven’t set anything up for auto feeding yet but that’s the main controller for my 10g. The one you’re talking about on sale actually. But again I dont know how the auto feeding program works.

The apex does create a lot of peace of mind and it’s controllable from anywhere. Especially convenient if you set up a web or ip cam to watch the tank or auto feeder.

Do you have the top apex model?

 

[SeaShine]

T

There are a couple videos on the Avast youtube page on how to set up timers.

Thanks! I've been watching them and have consulted with Justin. After playing with the Nearpow timer for half a day we came to the conclusion that it can't be programed for multiple feedings at 20 seconds. The Nearpow video shows it feeding for 20 seconds, but you don't have the opportunity to space out the feedings. You need to schedule to feed every hour in the selected time frame, and that's what the video shows.

Avast has been very helpful, but it seems the videos and the actual products might not align anymore. But thanks.

 

[SeaShine]

I have used Meross plugs for quite a while. 2 of them on Plank Feeders. Sure a plug could fail, so could an Apex. You are asking for a solution for 10 days. Use a smart plug and roll the dice. The odds of failure are small for that short window of time.

Thanks! And I may do this since the other options are really expensive right now. Would your Meross plug let you set 20 seconds or so for just three or four feedings stretched over 8 hours? That's what I'm looking for and the Smart Socket SP10 isn't letting me set for less than a minute.

 

[z4chburris]

Do you have the top apex model?

I do, and I just run abus cords to the 10g

 

[SeaShine]

I do, and I just run abus cords to the 10g

It sounds like the best option but I have just over a week until I go away and I need more planning for it. Maybe by next year. Ah well...

 

[z4chburris]

It sounds like the best option but I have just over a week until I go away and I need more planning for it. Maybe by next year. Ah well...

See if the jr works for your application. I think it would be perfect for a nano if so. And then it has room for expansion later, let’s you dip your toes in the control system and who knows later you may see the benefits of upgrading. Beautiful thing about this hobby is someone’s always willing to buy what you’re selling.

 

[SeaShine]

See if the jr works for your application. I think it would be perfect for a nano if so. And then it has room for expansion later, let’s you dip your toes in the control system and who knows later you may see the benefits of upgrading. Beautiful thing about this hobby is someone’s always willing to buy what you’re selling.

Lol. That's true. I can give BRS a call to see if they know and then decide to whether to jump or not. Thanks.

 

[Tcook]

I almost went with this but decided to run it with my Apex.

 

[dmsc2fs]

Thanks! And I may do this since the other options are really expensive right now. Would your Meross plug let you set 20 seconds or so for just three or four feedings stretched over 8 hours? That's what I'm looking for and the Smart Socket SP10 isn't letting me set for less than a minute.

Negative, it needs to run for at least 1 minute.

 

[SeaShine]

I almost went with this but decided to run it with my Apex.

Thank you! I tried that one, but had issues. Good idea to run it with your Apex! If you'd tried this one, you might have found that if you wanted to feed for seconds (e.g., 20 sec) vs a full minute, you need to set it to go off every hour within your chosen time frame (and this is what the Avast video shows). This is because you need to indicate how many minutes/secs on and how many mins/secs off, and the timer doesn't allow you to enter more than 59 minutes off.

And even though you're supposed to be able to set different time intervals, such as three feeding intervals with each set to go off for say 20 secs, after much trial and tribulation, we couldn't get it to work.

Even feeding for only 15 seconds every hour seems like too much for 20 gallons. And, within those time frames my clowns might gobble it all up before my pink streaked wrasse gets any. I did just purchase two more timer versions from Nearpow and might have to return them but I wanted to play around a little more. The one I had actually stopped working trying to get it to work for so long.