Auto Feeder Placement

reefgeek83

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I've been out of the game for some time. Years ago, when I placed an automatic feeder on a tank with a sump I would place it above the return pump. The pellets would then be dispensed and the return pump would push them up into the main tank.

Going over the forum, I can't see any mention of anyone doing it this way. Does anyone know if this is an acceptable practice? Any pros or cons to doing it this way?

I'd like to place an auto feeder on my tank, but would rather keep the display tank as clean looking as possible. Trying to see if this would work or not.
 

Fish Think Pink

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I've been out of the game for some time. Years ago, when I placed an automatic feeder on a tank with a sump I would place it above the return pump. The pellets would then be dispensed and the return pump would push them up into the main tank.

Going over the forum, I can't see any mention of anyone doing it this way. Does anyone know if this is an acceptable practice? Any pros or cons to doing it this way?

I'd like to place an auto feeder on my tank, but would rather keep the display tank as clean looking as possible. Trying to see if this would work or not.

Will you have canopy over your tank to keep the light's hidden? If so then canopy can also hide autofeeder.

Con would be potential clog return pump. While you may say food (pellets from above) are small, I don't want anything messing with my return pumps - my return pumps are the lifeblood circulation of my system.

Interested in others comments...
 

AlgaeBarn

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I would just place the auto feeder on top of your tank. There are feeder rings you can suction cup to the side of your tank so the fish have time to eat with without it going everywhere in your system first :)
 

Fish Think Pink

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I would just place the auto feeder on top of your tank. There are feeder rings you can suction cup to the side of your tank so the fish have time to eat with without it going everywhere in your system first :)

Still researching and still not ready to buy, but leaning towards Plank by Avast Marine which goes on top of tank that gets food neutrally buoyant before release into tank, think thru tube below waterline
 
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reefgeek83

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Will you have canopy over your tank to keep the light's hidden? If so then canopy can also hide autofeeder.

Con would be potential clog return pump. While you may say food (pellets from above) are small, I don't want anything messing with my return pumps - my return pumps are the lifeblood circulation of my system.
No canopy, its a Red Sea Reefer 500 peninsula. It will be out in the living room and one of the conditions of putting the tank out there, is it has to look "clean". My wife didn't want cables and boxes hanging from it. Just the tank, with everything underneath in the cabinet.

I would just place the auto feeder on top of your tank. There are feeder rings you can suction cup to the side of your tank so the fish have time to eat with without it going everywhere in your system first :)
With my tank being a peninsula, it would be hard to place it on top of the tank. I'm trying to keep it looking clean and nice for the wife. I could put it up top, but it would be very close to the drains and I'm afraid most of the food would get sucked down and rot in the sump. Or there would be a frenzy in a very small part of the tank, and cause splashing.

Still researching and still not ready to buy, but leaning towards Plank by Avast Marine which goes on top of tank that gets food neutrally buoyant before release into tank, think thru tube below waterline
Looks like a nice auto feeder, but the price tag is a little high. For that price I'd probably get the Neptune feeder for the ability to control it.
 

rockdiver

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I got 1 off amazon 35 dollars all in. I can be programmed up to as many times a day you want it is wifi can control it from anywhere. Has a feeder cup it dumps into and I put it by a power head and that pushes the food threw out the tank.
 

Fish Think Pink

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I got 1 off amazon 35 dollars all in. I can be programmed up to as many times a day you want it is wifi can control it from anywhere. Has a feeder cup it dumps into and I put it by a power head and that pushes the food threw out the tank.
you are leaving us hanging... name of feeder? Link? ... ?
 

minus9

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I've been out of the game for some time. Years ago, when I placed an automatic feeder on a tank with a sump I would place it above the return pump. The pellets would then be dispensed and the return pump would push them up into the main tank.

Going over the forum, I can't see any mention of anyone doing it this way. Does anyone know if this is an acceptable practice? Any pros or cons to doing it this way?

I'd like to place an auto feeder on my tank, but would rather keep the display tank as clean looking as possible. Trying to see if this would work or not.
This is how I use mine and to make sure no food is left behind, I use a small powerhead in the return section, which keeps the food suspended until it gets drawn into the return. It’s completely safe and I’ve never had an issue. Plus, it doesn’t become an eyesore.
 

rockdiver

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Ha sorry was driving now just finished dinner iLONDA here are some screen shots.
I think it looks just like the ehime one plus in via USB works like a charm gotta clean the cup once a week but otherwise no issues.
The cup I had to buy separate but it was right there on the same page.
It does kinda stick out but you get used to it.
I didnt want it in the return pump area got enough going on in my sump
 

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