Using Auto-Feeder -- How to make sure all fish get fed?

[mike550]

I've just installed an Eheim auto-feeder to try out before I head off on vacation. Right now the food drops down a clear tube about 3" below the water line. The food starts to sink which is fine for the blenny, goby, and rabbit fish (sort of). But my chromis and clowns don't notice the food until it's settled onto the sand / rocks, etc. Thinking about removing the clear tube, but then worried that all the food gets drained out of the tank.

Any thoughts or suggestions on how others have used the feeder would be appreciated.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

If you have sufficient time before the vacation be patient. The fish will start to know what time of day it is and be ready for it.

 

[Peace River]

Nice work on setting up the tube. Is there a reason for the tube being 3”? It would seem that if the tube was only 1” then as long as the food was held there until it was ready to sink then it wouldn’t go toward the overflow. Either way, the clowns and chromis will likely figure it out soon enough.

Edit: corrected spelling.

 

[Super Fly]

I'd leave the tube or else like you said, food will get washed into overflow. Clown and chromis will catch on, all my fish hover around the autofeeder exactly at the same time daily bc now they've been conditioned to know when it's feeding time.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

The tube is an excellent idea. I always had my food go straight into the overflow until I got an Apex. Now I'm able to turn my pumps off whenever it's feeding time.

 

[mike550]

Nice work on setting up the tube. Is there a reason for the tube being 3”? It would seem that if the tube was only 1” then as long as the food was held there until it was ready to sink then it wouldn’t go toward the overflow. Either way, the clowns and chromosomes will likely figure it out soon enough.

Thanks @Peace River I looked at tube again Probably closer to 2” but I get what you’re saying. I’ve got some time to watch this play out.

 

[mike550]

The tube is an excellent idea. I always had my food go straight into the overflow until I got an Apex. Now I'm able to turn my pumps off whenever it's feeding time.

@Tuffyyyyy yep. If I had an Apex or anything that tracked Time reliably I’d switch my pumps to “feed mode”. But I’m running a Vectra pump and MP40. If I do more automation it’s probably later next year.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

What about smart outlets? I think a smart surge protector is $30 or so. I used to have single outlets that were highly programmable for my lights.

 

[mike550]

What about smart outlets? I think a smart surge protector is $30 or so. I used to have single outlets that were highly programmable for my lights.

That‘s a great idea. I’ll need to look at that. Thanks!

 

[SPR1968]

I don’t have the Eheim, I have Apex, but it dispenses the food in front of a power head, spreads it all over, and the fish soon know were to hang out. Infact their shoaling ready at around 6.30pm waiting!

They will soon learn were to find it.

 

[mike550]

Hey! Wanted to thank everyone for the help and great ideas. For anyone who’s curious I ended up buying a Kasa Smart Plug for around $15. Programmed it to turn off my power head a few min before the feeder runs and turn back on 10 min after. Sort of like a feeding mode.

 

[lakai]

Hey! Wanted to thank everyone for the help and great ideas. For anyone who’s curious I ended up buying a Kasa Smart Plug for around $15. Programmed it to turn off my power head a few min before the feeder runs and turn back on 10 min after. Sort of like a feeding mode.

why don't you leave the powerheads on so the food spreads out.

 

[mike550]

why don't you leave the powerheads on so the food spreads out.

@lakai my powerhead runs a “gyre” mode so it’s like 20 min “high flow” and 20 min “low flow”. When it’s running high the food scatters so fast that the fish can’t seem to figure it out. For the fish and stuff that will eat off sand or rocks this isn’t a big deal. But I worry about the other ones.

Theres still mixing action from the sump returns not just as strong.

 

[biecacka]

I use my feeder right above a power head too. This helps distribute the food. I also have it feed 2 times each time. So like at 3pm it turns once then at 301pm it goes again. This puts more food into the tank so all fish should get some. I have it do that 3 times a day.
I also agree that the fish will gradually get an idea of when it should go. I notice mine hanging out near the feeder a minute or so before it turns sometimes.


corey