Avast plank autofeeder into return pump

[SaltyWalty]

I got an avast plank auto feeder and it won’t fit on the back wall of the display tank. It’s too close to the wall and I’m not draining and moving the tank forward a few inches

I was thinking about putting the auto feeder on the sump and having the food go right into the intake of my return pump.
It is an external return pump so I can plumb the food to go right into the pump and left over food will not end up in the sump chamber
My question is if this will damage the return pump or wear it over time having particles going through it a few times a day?
Will the return pump just crush any pellet food I put into it?

 

[reeftivo]

I got an avast plank auto feeder and it won’t fit on the back wall of the display tank. It’s too close to the wall and I’m not draining and moving the tank forward a few inches

I was thinking about putting the auto feeder on the sump and having the food go right into the intake of my return pump.
It is an external return pump so I can plumb the food to go right into the pump and left over food will not end up in the sump chamber
My question is if this will damage the return pump or wear it over time having particles going through it a few times a day?
Will the return pump just crush any pellet food I put into it?

my only concern would be getting the drop tube on the plank right over the intake of the return and as close as possible to the intake screen. Otherwise some food can an probably will escape and settle in the return chamber raising nutrients. you may be able to remedy that with a strong circ pump to keep things suspended in the return chamber though.

no worries on the return pump grinding up pelletized food. it will blast it out, but some food mulm may still accumulate in the return tubing over time and require a bit more maintenance.

 

[dakoop]

I do that with mine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ve done it with other autofeeding setups, where the food needed to be kept cold until dosed.

 

[Harpo]

This is an awesome idea. I really don't like the look of it on my tank

 

[Ajayabb]

I agree. Seems like a great idea. I might try it too. !

 

[saltcreep74]

Anyone try this yet?? Im tempted... Im planing on rinning a pvc piperight on top of my return pump to prevent the food from settling on the sump floor.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Anyone try this yet?? Im tempted... Im planing on rinning a pvc piperight on top of my return pump to prevent the food from settling on the sump floor.

I’ve done it with arctipods on BRS doser and it worked fine.

 

[edsbeaker]

Avast Marine sells longer tubes for this very application.

 

[LiquidSpace]

I do this and it works great! Well it would but I have a manifold that messes it up. If you don’t have a manifold you’re golden.

 

[jonelder68]

Yes! This is the way :) I’ve tested it and it works as good as I was hoping! I just need to get apex set up as the avast plank is controlled by it.