DIY (Auto) FROZEN FOOD FEEDER

LondonReefer

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 11, 2020
Messages
81
Reaction score
56
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Sounds like a pretty good decision with ice cubes. Realistically (anyone ever tasted them lol?) Freeze dried Mysis etc that are rehydrated in tank water, must be pretty salty and people use them

Surely 1.026 would be fine? I struggle to see that being an issue, it just won't be able to get as sub-zero

Is there a biologist on the forum?
 
OP
OP
WallyB

WallyB

REEF Techno-Geek
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
8,094
Location
GTA Toronto, CANADA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I got worried since I have quite a few fish, and i wouldn't want to even harm one.

So I tested the Concentrate Reservoir Water (that was Super Chilled Salt Water and the RO ICE cubes). Now all melted.
It tested 1.005 on my Refractometer, a few marks from the lowest graduated marks, close to RO level.
That's very very low salnity so it should be fine.

It's also really cold.
So were good to go.
 

Gino

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 31, 2016
Messages
390
Reaction score
344
Location
Tampa, Florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Great DIY project, and the write up I think is perfect as is pretty straightforward. This is something that I been thinking to do for quite some time now. But using a small apartment fridge, that could also be used for keeping plankton, meds, additives cold, and maybe a beer or two... buajajaja!!
nevera-friobat-dc72d-72l-800x800.jpg


About the issue with the salinity mixture in the concentrate food, I was thinking that maybe another way to accomplish this without hyposalinity the concentrated food. Could be use a container within a container. The inner container store the food that goes inside another container that has hyposalinited freeze water. The problem will be if using this method will maintain the temperature of the food at the desired temperature. In other hand it could be used table saltwater to froze the outside container to get to any freezing point and then maintain the water temperature in the koolermax.

20200830_205257.jpg


I think it could work as well, but no sure. Maybe will have to increase the speed of the stirer magnet since will have a ticker button.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
WallyB

WallyB

REEF Techno-Geek
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
8,094
Location
GTA Toronto, CANADA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Great DIY project, and the write up I think is perfect as is pretty straightforward. This is something that I been thinking to do for quite some time now. But using a small apartment fridge, that could also be used for keeping plankton, meds, additives cold, and maybe a beer or two... buajajaja!!
nevera-friobat-dc72d-72l-800x800.jpg


About the issue with the salinity mixture in the concentrate food, I was thinking that maybe another way to accomplish this without hyposalinity the concentrated food. Could be use a container within a container. The inner container store the food that goes inside another container that has hyposalinited freeze water. The problem will be if using this method will maintain the temperature of the food at the desired temperature. In other hand it could be used table saltwater to froze the outside container to get to any freezing point and then maintain the water temperature in the koolermax.

20200830_205257.jpg


I think it could work as well, but no sure. Maybe will have to increase the speed of the stirer magnet since will have a ticker button.
Hey @Gino,

Thanks for the compliment and that's a REALLY GOOD IDEA.
Illustrated very well too!!!

What you are suggesting is something like one of these.



And that concept of a Cooling Shell for the Concentrate Container is quite's Brilliant!!
No more concerns about the Inner Food mix.

I will modify my Concentrate container to have a Feezable Outter Shell. With the High Salinity Coolant as the filler.

@LondonReefer has provided the Specs on Salinity vs Temp in his post.
I can go the limit on whatever I can get Salt Water down to in temp (and whatever my freezer runs at)

I will figure out a way to keep the Container bottom thin too (So the magentic spinner works).

Make a couple, so I always have a 2nd one ready for a BEER! :) (or next food batch)

The fridge idea is good too. I did the Koolaton way for Space reasons, and had a spare unit, but down the road might move my Basement Mini Fridge into a better location.

Thanks for your participation and input. It might help others too for their Frozen Feeder builds.
 
Last edited:

Gino

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 31, 2016
Messages
390
Reaction score
344
Location
Tampa, Florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey @Gino,

What you are suggesting is something like one of these.



And that concept of a Cooling Shell for the Concentrate Container is quite's Brilliant!!
Yes, that's the main idea. If it could keep the temperature down for several more days, maybe can prolong the storing time few more days. 7 to 12+ days without rotting the concentrate food, I think that's a good shelving time.
 

Doctorgori

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 18, 2019
Messages
4,330
Reaction score
5,836
Location
Myrtle Beach
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Love the idea of a Frozen autofeeder, but I’m worried about bacteria if the line isn’t totally purged from food (can cause gut issues esp. w/Seahorses et)
OP: has uneaten food left in the line been a issue?
 

YankeeTankee

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 15, 2019
Messages
481
Reaction score
1,046
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Love the idea of a Frozen autofeeder, but I’m worried about bacteria if the line isn’t totally purged from food (can cause gut issues esp. w/Seahorses et)
OP: has uneaten food left in the line been a issue?
The tube is flushed with water in the last step but I can imagine that some particulates would remain, probably a good idea to change this tubing fairly often even with the flush.
 
OP
OP
WallyB

WallyB

REEF Techno-Geek
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
8,094
Location
GTA Toronto, CANADA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Love the idea of a Frozen autofeeder, but I’m worried about bacteria if the line isn’t totally purged from food (can cause gut issues esp. w/Seahorses et)
OP: has uneaten food left in the line been a issue?
Hey @Doctorgori

Maybe you never noticed one specific detail on this Feeder Design. (THERE IS A SELF CLEAN STAGE).

All the Food lines are purged clean with Water (twice) and then Air. After each feeding.

I've been keeping an eye on the clear lines during run and afterwards.
No food is left inside, even after a week of running 3 times a day.

The only line that is not purged is the concentrate line. That line is inside the Cooler (specifically) and it stay cold always.
Sure I plan to flush it clean with Water as part of regular maintenance (each time loading up new food). Same for the concentrate bottle.

I hope this addresses your concern.
 

radiata

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 2, 2015
Messages
1,089
Reaction score
764
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Great DIY project, and the write up I think is perfect as is pretty straightforward. This is something that I been thinking to do for quite some time now. But using a small apartment fridge, that could also be used for keeping plankton, meds, additives cold, and maybe a beer or two... buajajaja!!
nevera-friobat-dc72d-72l-800x800.jpg


About the issue with the salinity mixture in the concentrate food, I was thinking that maybe another way to accomplish this without hyposalinity the concentrated food. Could be use a container within a container. The inner container store the food that goes inside another container that has hyposalinited freeze water. The problem will be if using this method will maintain the temperature of the food at the desired temperature. In other hand it could be used table saltwater to froze the outside container to get to any freezing point and then maintain the water temperature in the koolermax.

20200830_205257.jpg


I think it could work as well, but no sure. Maybe will have to increase the speed of the stirrer magnet since will have a ticker button.
I'm inclined to look at 2-door mini fridge. The 2nd (top) door is for a separate freezer...
 
OP
OP
WallyB

WallyB

REEF Techno-Geek
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
8,094
Location
GTA Toronto, CANADA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I'm inclined to look at 2-door mini fridge. The 2nd (top) door is for a separate freezer...
I agree a real Fridge (vs Cooler) is Better if you have the Space, and Position to keep distance to tank shorter.
I don't right now.

Two door mini's are better than 1 door, but you loose space with the divider, unless you get a taller model.

Freezer section is nice if you don't have a freeze near by to store the Frozen.

I actually chose 1 door and No freezer for my our Basement Mini Fridge. Bit to far for my tanks.
With a Counter Top version made it a Entertainment Center for my AV Projector Equipement (Beverages, and Aquarium Supplies).

MiniFridge-EntertainmentStand-Bev.jpg
 

radiata

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 2, 2015
Messages
1,089
Reaction score
764
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I'm currently in the market for a 2-door. Cheapest 2-door mini I've found is at Walmart - $139 delivered:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Arctic-K...dge-with-Freezer-Black/49660452?selected=true

I'd prefer a Danby. But it, like most others, is an another $100.

I think prices on mini freezers and mini fridges are dropping. Most wind up in college dorms, and a lot of students will be going to college on-line thanks to our Covid...
 
OP
OP
WallyB

WallyB

REEF Techno-Geek
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
8,094
Location
GTA Toronto, CANADA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I'm currently in the market for a 2-door. Cheapest 2-door mini I've found is at Walmart - $139 delivered:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Arctic-K...dge-with-Freezer-Black/49660452?selected=true

I'd prefer a Danby. But it, like most others, is an another $100.

I think prices on mini freezers and mini fridges are dropping. Most wind up in college dorms, and a lot of students will be going to college on-line thanks to our Covid...
Yeah, lots of college dorm mini-fridges will be going on sale.

Look into the Artic King specs. One spec that caught my attention is it has Manual Defrosting, not sure what that means.
Mini fridges can make a mess or fill with snow if the defrosting isn't done right (Not so much the Dual versions, but for sure the ALL-Fridge Models)

Costsco has a Danby that says Auto Defrosting.

The Artic King is a better price, but you do get what you pay for (sometimes).
 
OP
OP
WallyB

WallyB

REEF Techno-Geek
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
8,094
Location
GTA Toronto, CANADA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I need to add a new FEATURE. (REFIL FEEDER Reminder). Or Weekly Maintenance REMINDER.

The Auto Feeder is so good, I'm no longer doing anything after I fill it up.

I'll totally Free and disconnected from my Tanks. So I don't check things daily.

  • I forgot to fill the Feeder up (after 6 days) so it ran out of Food (on Day 5)
  • I noticed my Skimmer Cup was FULL to the Brim (when I filled up the Feeder)
  • etc, etc

So the downside of a Hands-off (auto) Feeder is you're no longer involved with the Tank Daily.
The upside is "I Love the Freedom", Fish get Fed proper Portions, and as Often as I wish (Great for Anthias who need more smaller feedings, vs Less often Bigger Portions)
The Solution is just weekly maintenance (not just Feeder, a quick System check)
 
Last edited:

inDcreations

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 25, 2019
Messages
51
Reaction score
160
Location
San Diego, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
@WallyB I love this! Excellent ingenuity shown here.

I wanted to mention something about our design that might not have been clearly communicated in the posts referenced above:

We have a dock distribution system that allows mounting the unit in the sump cabinet or anywhere near the aquarium. It does not need to be on the rim of the tank(but it can be! ) I agree with you about the bulky dry food feeders on the rim of the tank, I hate anything hanging on up there - even lights.

You've got us beat in the multi-tank distribution category though, GREAT work!
 

GK3

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 16, 2017
Messages
1,852
Reaction score
1,339
Location
Cincinnati
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
This article is an overview and instructions for building a DIY Auto Frozen Feeder for your Aquarium.

What does it do?

  • It Feeds "Chilled...Always Fresh" Frozen Food to my 4 Fish Tanks Automatically.
  • Programmable "Variable Sized" Portions.
  • Programmable "Any time of day" Feedings.
  • Self Cleaning too!

This feeder was built so I can get away from Home and continue to feed my fish. I have a few Ehiem Pellet Flake Auto Feeders that I use while away. The issue is I have a Copperband Butterfly fish in each of my Tanks that won't eat Flake or Pellet Food (ie. strictly eat Frozen). After building and installing this feeder it works so well, I've set it up as a permanent Daily Feeder which now gives me near total hands off Automation on all my 4 tanks.

The feeder may look like a complex time machine that runs on a flux capacitor made to fit into the trunk of your DeLorean but you don’t have to wait for the future…it’s actually quite simple once you understand the basic concepts and you can make one for yourself.
2020-08-10_FinalFrozenFeedBuild-2-s.jpg

The main component of this feeder is a Koolatron Cooler to keep Frozen Food chilled, and it all runs on a few dosing heads. Water is pumped via tubes to get the food to the tank and ultimately to your fish.

I did NOT make the Koolatron (which is a purchase DC voltage Cooler for your Car). Plenty of models, sizes and prices to choose from.

Here is the one I used that I had spare.


This lower price model might work for a Single Tank Feeder.



I also did NOT make the Magnetic Stirrer.



I did make my doser, but you can buy your own DOSER too. LIke this one if building a Single Tank Feeder.



The rest I made with parts I had kicking around.

Let's move on.....

Feeder-Internal-Components-s.jpg

A closer look inside the Koolatron with cover removed that contains internal Components.
This article will describe my final design and will discuss some other options you can consider when building your own. Details on materials, construction tips and programming are included.


Want to get a quick overview before you read all the details.....




The feeder designed and discussed here was designed to feed my four tanks (as shown below), yet it will work just as well for a single tank or more than four Tanks. It’s determined by the number of dosing heads.


4TankFeederSetup.jpg


In an effort to make this easier to understand, here is a basic diagram showing the final design and components used. The setup and functionality are described below. I will refer to this diagram throughout the article.

FrozenFeeder_Article-Photo-Design-Concept.jpg

Preparation/Overview:
  • Fill the concentrate container (A) with your favorite frozen food (frozen pieces/cubes or rinsed frozen food in small amount of fresh water).
  • Note: the frozen food pieces (after melting) must be smaller than the diameter of the tube you are using to avoid clogging the feeding tubes. You may have to blend your chosen food to ensure the pieces are small enough.
  • Top off container (B) is filled with Pure Water since it will be the liquid to distribute food to your tank.
  • This same container (B) and water is used to automatically clean and flush out the feeding tubes after each feeding.
  • The food from (A) will pumped to the distribution container (C) and then pumped to the tank from there.
  • D3,D4-Dn are simple dosing pumps of your choosing. (# of Pumps depends on # Fish Tanks (F) you wish to set up)

FrozenFeederFoodPrep-1.jpg

Works with Most Frozen Foods (Tested with Mysis, and Brine Shrimp).....Food Can be Rinsed and Strained if desired

FrozenFeederFoodPrep-2.jpg

Careful to not use Large Chunk Frozen (it can Plug the pumps and tubes)


FrozenFeederFoodPrep-3.jpg

Coolers Take Time to Cool things down (So add things cold at the Start)​

Feeding Steps
  • (optional) Mix Frozen Food Concentrate
  • Dosing pump (D1) pumps the frozen concentrate from container (A) and adds it the distribution container (C)
  • Dosing pump (D2) pumps fresh water from container (B) to the distribution container (C), to dilute the concentrate.
  • At this point, dosing pump (D1-Dn) feed each tank tied in to your system.

FeederSteps-OptionalStep0-Mix.jpg

Magnetic Stirrer (Food Concentrate Container)

Optional: I chose to use a magnetic mixer to stir the feeding concentrate prior to each feeding cycle. After testing the feeder I learned that it does make feeding more consistant, but not really necessary if you want to cut on Costs or Space.

DosingTubeFlows.jpg

Dosing Pumps Flows​


Cleaning and Purging Steps
  • Dosing pump (D2) pumps fresh water from (B) to container (C)
  • The feedings pumps (D1-Dn) then pump the fresh water to the tanks to purge the feeding lines




The Full Feed Cycle Illustrated:

FeederSteps.jpg

As you can see in the Running Demo Photos above, the Distribution Container is relatively Clean of food after Final Rinse and Flush.​

NOTE: The final cleaning and purging step is an important element in the design. All the food and tubes within the cooler are chilled. The tubes going to the fish tanks are obviously not. If there is trapped food in the feeding tubes going to the tank(s) it has the potential to spoil in between feedings since they are not temperature controlled. This is true even if the distance between your feeder and tank is very short. Please do not skip the cleaning and purging steps.

Doser Heads and Connections:

Whether you’re working with one tank or multiple, your design will have to accommodate having at least one dosing head (D1) located inside the cooler. Since that dosing head is transferring the concentrate there is no way to flush/purge that line after each use, therefore it needs to stay cooled.

Since my particular auto feeder is feeding multiple tanks, I was unable to fit multiple dosing heads inside the cooler. With some basic electronic wiring skills, you can remove dosing heads form any multi-headed doser and extend the wires. If only designing the auto feeder for one tank, most smaller three-headed dosers will likely fit in your cooler. This is something to keep in mind when designing your system.

In the picture below of my prototype, it illustrates how the doser heads are configured – one internal and the others external to the cooler. The magnetic stirrer, three containers and one dosing head are inside the cooler.

2020-08-06_4TankFeederSetup.jpg

Protoype DIY Frozen Fix Food Feeder


Programming Dosers:

The programming will vary with each setup and it unique to each feeder. So it’s not reasonable to discuss all the options and maintain your interest. But here are a few key factors to consider when doing your programming:
  • The amount of food you wish to feed
  • The concentration of your prepared food
  • Programming can vary on portions/times of feedings (Breakfast, lunch or dinner time)
  • Programming can vary by tank as wel
  • Dilution water you use
  • Distance to tank from auto feeder

Now for some programming Details:
  • [DOSE 1: Concentrate Pump D1] – this is where you simply program how much food you will feed the tank(s).
    • This dosing amounts will depend on Food Portion Size.
  • [DOSE 2: The Dilute WATER PUMP D2]
    • Is just enough Dosing volume to loosen up the contrentrate a tiny bit with water. It' a mini first flush of the distribution container.
  • [DOSE 3: Feed Pump D3, D4,...]
    • Is enough Dosing Volume to COMPLETELY drain the distribution container ( DOSE 1 + DOSE 2)
    • You DON'T have to Dose long enough to get Food to the Tank (The Purge Dose 5 will get food there)
  • [DOSE 4: Flush WATER PUMP D2]
    • In enough Dosing Volume to add some Rinse/Flush Water for Last DOSE 5.
    • This Rinses the Distribution Container. So the amount must be a bit more than ( DOSE 1 + DOSE 2)
  • [DOSE 5: Clean/Purge Program : FEED PUMP AGAIN D3]
    • This Dosing Volume will depend on the distance to your tank. (Roughly = 2x Distance to Tank+DOSE 4)
    • You will be dosing any remaining food, Rinse Water, and a push to purge the dosing lines completly.

NOTE: [The Dose 5] (Clean/Purge/Flush) should be about double the length of the tube (distance to the tank). This ensures the line is not only clear of FOOD & Flush Water, but the tubes are purged and only full of air until the next feeding.

I also learned during testing that you don't need to add that much water (to completely fill the Tube Length) for the flush, since when water runs out the flush will continue with Air, and flush out the ALL the water anyway. (This saves on the size of the Water Container).


Components and Assembly

Let’s discuss what actually makes this thing work so well. In my case, I was able to utilize things I had on hand at the house. I’ll share some photos of the parts and the assembly components.

I’ll start by sharing some photos of the feeder disassembled.

2020-08-11_DissasembledParts.jpg


2020-08-11_DissasembledParts 2.jpg


The Auto Frozen Fish Feeder Disassembled

For the containers that will handle the food (Items A and C in the first diagram), you want to find something that has a funnel shape to it. This will assure the food settles near the bottom of the container which is where the dosing pumps tubes connect. In my case, I used an Iced Tea Bottle, installed upside down. The cap is the perfect size for the magnetic stir impeller. The other added benefit is it is easily replaced if/when the gunk builds up. I love Iced Tea so I don’t mind having another bottle to keep the feeder fresh and clean.

The top off water container (Item B in the first diagram) I used a Kamoer Dosing Container. It’s a large volume container and with its rectangular shape, it fits perfectly in the cooler.

The bottom of the cooler has egg crate that the Electronic Magnetic Stirrer sits on. Having the Stirrer up off the actual bottom of the cooler protects it from any accidental spill or liquid condensation that settles on the bottom. (NOTE: The more you open and peek into the Cooler, warm moist air will get into the cooler, and the more you will get condenstate dripping off the Cold Cooling Fins and containers)

Since we all have some Styrofoam lying around from our last fish or coral order, I discovered it works perfectly for mounting equipment and positioning things correctly and firmly in place. Just cut pieces to fit your varying conditions. Nothing is glued and installed permanently. As long as it fits snuggly it’s not going anywhere and it makes things easier to take apart for the occasional cleaning and/or maintenance.

I used wider diameter and stiffer RO tubing for the dosing line HOLDERS. Just cut some slits in the STIFF RO TUBING mentioned above and use a drop or two of hot glue to hold in place. The softer Air Line tubing will snap in. Try to keep from installing anything permanently as mentioned above. The same stiffer tubing was used to position the floppy tube at the bottom of the Concentrate Container in an effort to keep the tube on the bottom of the container at all times. This is important so it doesn’t get out of position during the stir.

Important to note, if you’re using tubing couplers you may need to enlarge the whole so you don’t end up with food getting lodged in the couplers. In my case, the couplers were too narrow so I drilled them out to enlarge the holes.
2020-08-11_DrilledOutConnectors.jpg

Don’t forget to enlarge the tube couplers if necessary

Here is a quick overview on the OPTIONAL Magenetic Stirrer Setup, if you choose to add one to your design.

  • Basically the Ice Tea Bottle is Inverted to hold the Thick Concentrate.​
  • Top of Bottle is cut open to add the Frozen Food and a small amount of Water.​
  • The Frozen Food will slowly settle to the bottom of the Container, and water will be at the top.​
  • The Magnetic Stir Pellet fits inside the Cap and it spins inside once the Magenetic Stirrer is activated. Mixing up the food and water.​
MageneticStirrerConcentrateMixer.jpg

Magentic Stirrer for the Frozen Concentrate Container Mixing
Now you don't want to just plug in the Stirrer and have it running all the time. You could but it's pointless, and it may grind and over liquify the frozen pieces.
So you need to turn it on every so often, and most importantly a minute before the Feeding Cycle starts. This will ensure the food concentrate is evenly distrubuted and each feeding is consistant. Otherwise your early feeding will be heavier, and the last feeding will be light. It's not perfect but that's the idea.

Since your Doser can't control the Magentic Stirrer, you can use a timer, and the program your stir and feed accordingly.

MagneticStirrerTimers.jpg

Magentic Stirrer Timer Options



Okay, so we have our Auto Feeder set up, it’s time to run the lines to the tank(s). Then you'll have to adjust your Flush program once you finalized the tube lengths to your tank. ( Remember the last program is the purge and is distance dependant )

This is my setup as seen from the Back of the Cooler.

FeederFinalHookup.jpg

Feeding Tube to Dosing Head Distrubution

You need to consider where the feeding output tube is installed in your tank(s). It’s important to make sure the food is either spread throughout the tank or I a feeding ring so the inhabitants can crab it before the overflow does.

I do have a feeding ring on one of my tanks so that’s where the output tube is installed. On another tank which doesn’t have a feeding ring, I placed the output tube right in front of a power head.

FeedingTubeToTankFeedingSpot.jpg

Feeding Tube Output Installtion Options (Above Water Surface or Below Water Surfice)

The other two tanks are too far from the auto feeder and would require a very long tube to reach them on the floor above the sumps. I’m lucky that both sumps are in the basement and close to the feeder. For those two, I simply placed the output tube (under water) next to the return pump inlet . The return pump takes care of the rest.

FeederOutputTOreturnPump.jpg

Feeding Output tube installed at the input of the return pump and the food is pumped to the tank Upstairs.



To close, I thought I’d share a couple ideas I had that I didn’t implement. I figured I’d share them in case a reader decides to build their own Auto Feeder and may be able to incorporate some different ideas. These additional concepts as well as designs other folks come up with can be discussed in the comments.

FeederOtherDesigns-1.jpg

Simple Design (Downside, No Cleaning)

FeederOtherDesigns-2.jpg

Complex DESIGN (Bi-Directional Doser Needed) for Reversing Pump Direction to Return Food to Reservoir.​


That covers off all I wanted to convey on the feeder design.


Summary:

I have been running the feeder for a couple of weeks and it works perfect. The longest I ran it unattended was 5 days while away from home, and it almost ran out of food and water. So I'm working fine tuning the Food Concentrate Concentration, and fine tuning the dilution and flush amounts to last longer.

The feeder airline tubes are perfectly clean with the flushing cycle, even my longest run which is 12 feet to my sump that sends food via the return pump to my upstairs tank.

The ONLY DOWNSIDE I see after running the Frozen Feeder for a while is the Fish have become trained on it, and now the fish love it more than me :) They sense the food is coming and hang around the feeder output spots. They don't freak out as much every time they see me going to the Fridge, or get close to the tank. At least they don't beg so that means I'm not suckered into feeding them too much. The feeder runs regularily few times a day and same small portions.
I hope you have enjoyed reading about my adventure in creating a DIY Frozen Fish Feeder. It was a fun project and I’m sure as time goes on I will make adjustments to it. I would love to see what others have come up with for their own feeders. Feel free to ask questions and share your own projects.

Do you run the magnetic stirrer all the time? If not how do you keep the concentrate from freezing?
Also- couldn’t you clean the concentrate to distribution line by running that pump backwards? Seems like it would only pull a little water into the concentrate but would let you move the pump outside the cooled environment.

If you already answered these questions, sorry. I read your detailed write up but not everyone else’s questions.
 
OP
OP
WallyB

WallyB

REEF Techno-Geek
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
8,094
Location
GTA Toronto, CANADA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Do you run the magnetic stirrer all the time? If not how do you keep the concentrate from freezing?
Also- couldn’t you clean the concentrate to distribution line by running that pump backwards? Seems like it would only pull a little water into the concentrate but would let you move the pump outside the cooled environment.

If you already answered these questions, sorry. I read your detailed write up but not everyone else’s questions.

Hi @GK3,

I only run the Magenetic Stirrer for about 10 seconds before every Concentrate Extract.
and then I wait 15 seconds after eat stir to let food settle a bit, down to the extract tube at bottom.

It's not a good idea to run the stirrer all the time, since the magnetic Pellet could grind up the Food with contact with the bottom of the container. Plus why wear out your stirrer, and waste electricity.

Nothing freezes since everything in the Cooler is just above freezing point. Even if I put ice cubes into the Concentrate, then melt slowly. The ice cubes float, the food sinks, so there is always liquid and food at the bottom.

Yes, I could run the Concentrate line backward to return food back to Concentrate bottle, but my thought is. The Line is in the Cooler so food stays cold. I do flush the Contrentrate line with Water (forward) every time I refil the concentrate.

Plus not many commercial dosers can run backwards, so this write up is for Folks using off the shelf dosers, not a DIY doser Like I have.

To your point about water being pulled in. That can't happen. At least not for the concentrate since the line is suspended in air above the distribution cup.

I did oriignally design reversing the pumps for the Ditribution lines to bring food back to a single container with food. But it's better to push forward clean water to rinse them as I did in my final design. ALso my final design doesn't feed from the Primary Food container. It feed from the Distribution container. THe one that get's a portion of Food from the Concentrate Conainter, along with some water.

I would never want to reverse the distribution lines that go to the tank, especially if the lines are submerged in the Sump/Tank since that would really contaminate the lines with Water From Tank that Has bacterial, and other foating particulates.

Hope that answers your questions. Feel free to ask more, if it's not clear to you now.
 
OP
OP
WallyB

WallyB

REEF Techno-Geek
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
8,094
Location
GTA Toronto, CANADA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
@WallyB I love this! Excellent ingenuity shown here.

I wanted to mention something about our design that might not have been clearly communicated in the posts referenced above:

We have a dock distribution system that allows mounting the unit in the sump cabinet or anywhere near the aquarium. It does not need to be on the rim of the tank(but it can be! ) I agree with you about the bulky dry food feeders on the rim of the tank, I hate anything hanging on up there - even lights.

You've got us beat in the multi-tank distribution category though, GREAT work!
Hey @inDcreations , Still plugging your Product on someone else's thread. LOL. :)

Just kidding, I'm fine if it doesn't become a habit, since we are not competition.
(I'm not making money....making My Feeder for others). YET!! But you never know if I retire some day and get bored.

At least this time you threw in a Compliment which makes things better.
Last time you didn't and that didn't feel right to me, since it's something I wouldn't do to you or anyone.
Imagine if you had a thread trying to market your product, and I came along saying here is a my design and your can make one yourself. (I made an DIY Alk Monitor, and would never think about posting on a Trident or Reef Kinetics thread).

Like I said. Your Frozen Feeder is certainly for Folks who are not DIY capable, or don't have time.
Hope your business does well.

I didn't know you had a Dock SYstem. Must be something new. I looked at your product when you posted and saw no mention.
Hope it isn't a clone of my distribution system idea. LOL :) :)

I'm Curious. Let's see your Dock System and how it works.
I'm giving you another chance to plug your product on my thread. No Charge. LOL :)
 

Greg Gdowski

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 16, 2017
Messages
337
Reaction score
757
Location
Rochester, NY
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Nice work! A friend of mine in Rochester (Ellery Wong) did a similar thing with a refrigerator, mixing plate, and solenoid system. You might want to connect! Congrats on getting it to work nicely.

 
OP
OP
WallyB

WallyB

REEF Techno-Geek
View Badges
Joined
Jan 24, 2017
Messages
3,127
Reaction score
8,094
Location
GTA Toronto, CANADA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
SAD News. One of my Copperband Butterflies just Died.

Remember, this Feeder Was built for all 3 of my Copperband Butterfly Fish.
They were my inspiration, and motivation.

The other fish get plenty of Pellet and Flake via the Ehiem Feeder, and Nori Sheets.

This happens when a Copperband cleans up the Aptasia from a Tank, and then they need other food.

He was the smallest and thinnest one. Happy guy. Very energetic.
And the only one that didn't eat small Fresh Open Clams that I put in my Tank every week.

I buy these just for my Copperbands. Excellent product.

My Large Copperband can eat a whole piece in one sitting. (Slowly over a few hours)

Maybe I should blend up some Clam Meat and make DIY Frozen cubes to add to the Concentrate.

That's my next improvement. BETTER Frozen Food Concentrate.
 
Last edited:

Creating a strong bulwark: Did you consider floor support for your reef tank?

  • I put a major focus on floor support.

    Votes: 26 39.4%
  • I put minimal focus on floor support.

    Votes: 16 24.2%
  • I put no focus on floor support.

    Votes: 22 33.3%
  • Other.

    Votes: 2 3.0%
Back
Top