Reliable Auto feeders?

[DaddyFish]

If you don't own Apex, this is my favorite. Rock-solid dependable, has built-in rechargeable batteries that last 6-12 months on one charge. Use a piece of tape across the adjuster so you don't accidentally bump the setting when refilling. Other than that, it's superb.

I've used Eheim, Oase and at least 2-3 others of various designs. None of them come close to the Zacro.

 

[mehaffydr]

I have the Apex feeder and it works great and is reliable been using over a year. I like the adjust-ability of amount and how often. Also yes it makes noise but only a very short time and I like that because I know its working.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I’ve had a Zacro for over two years, it works Flawlessly. I ordered another one recently, first was broken internally, even though there was no damage to the box. Second one the Settings wouldn’t stop scrolling. Amazon credit me for both, when sent back via Prime. After the first of the year, I’m going to try again. So if you don’t have time to test it and send it back before an out of town trip, you might want to look elsewhere.

 

[EagleEye121]

I’ve been using this one for a few weeks and works like a charm

 

[Starganderfish]

I use one of the $25 Alexa/Google enabled wifi fish feeders from Amazon.

Mine is linked to my Alexa/Google accounts, so I can activate it by voice from anywhere, or pull out my phone and activate it via an app like Smartthings, or the Alexa/google apps. Or you can set it up to function on a timer for completely set it and forget it simplicity. Can be set to feed once or ten times per day.

it uses the same generic body/housing as the old Eheim feeders, so many of the eheim feeding accessories work with it like the Eheim feeding station, feeding ring, etc...

Just want to say a quick thanks for this suggestion. I have two tanks (4 gal Pico and 20 gal Nano) and have been planning ahead for when we inevitably go on holiday or I need to travel for work. I picked up a couple of the Zacro feeders and they seem awesome (still need to spend some time taping up the dor to get the amount of food dispensed WAY down for a single Clown Goby in the 4 gal) but my biggest worry has been managing flow while auto feeding.
Timers and such are great in theory but keeping them in sync can be a pain and if one or another fails things can go a bit haywire. Also, being something that sits in a drawer 50 weeks of the year and only gets pulled out for holidays I want something with minimal points of failure.
I've started using Alexa smart controls for a bunch of other equip (I have my refugium lights set to turn on and off using Alexa smart plugs as well as a bunch of timers set up around my 3d printer equip) but I didn't tweak to the idea to use that for the feeders!
Having Alexa powered "smart feeders", means I can put my return pumps on Alexa smart-plugs and have them power off during feedings and back on after, and if both feeding and pumps are controlled by Alexa, I can get them to work in sync. I'll still have to use the Nero app to control my wavemakers, but it's removing an additional layer of complexity with the returns. Settings will all remain in the cloud, no worry about timings getting out of sync, and if wifi or power fails, once things come back up, the equip should automatically reconnect and resume functioning using the cloud settings.
Going to pick up a couple of these wi-fi feeders and have a play around. Dunno what to do with my Zacro's now though...

 

[BigMikeFlipz]

Just want to say a quick thanks for this suggestion. I have two tanks (4 gal Pico and 20 gal Nano) and have been planning ahead for when we inevitably go on holiday or I need to travel for work. I picked up a couple of the Zacro feeders and they seem awesome (still need to spend some time taping up the dor to get the amount of food dispensed WAY down for a single Clown Goby in the 4 gal) but my biggest worry has been managing flow while auto feeding.
Timers and such are great in theory but keeping them in sync can be a pain and if one or another fails things can go a bit haywire. Also, being something that sits in a drawer 50 weeks of the year and only gets pulled out for holidays I want something with minimal points of failure.
I've started using Alexa smart controls for a bunch of other equip (I have my refugium lights set to turn on and off using Alexa smart plugs as well as a bunch of timers set up around my 3d printer equip) but I didn't tweak to the idea to use that for the feeders!
Having Alexa powered "smart feeders", means I can put my return pumps on Alexa smart-plugs and have them power off during feedings and back on after, and if both feeding and pumps are controlled by Alexa, I can get them to work in sync. I'll still have to use the Nero app to control my wavemakers, but it's removing an additional layer of complexity with the returns. Settings will all remain in the cloud, no worry about timings getting out of sync, and if wifi or power fails, once things come back up, the equip should automatically reconnect and resume functioning using the cloud settings.
Going to pick up a couple of these wi-fi feeders and have a play around. Dunno what to do with my Zacro's now though...

Which wifi models did you guys get?

 

[Labridaedicted]

I highly reccomend the plank from Avast. It's the least complicated part of my auto feeding regimen and honestly works flawlessly

 

[DatsoonDave]

I highly reccomend the plank from Avast. It's the least complicated part of my auto feeding regimen and honestly works flawlessly

My wife bought me a plank for Christmas, I haven't set it up yet. I understand it's the king of auto feeders.