Feeding in return section? Do you do it?

[Schulks]

I just purchased a plank and am figuring out how I want to install it. Feeding in the return would be really nice.
It would save me from cutting my aluminum lid, keep more distractions out of the display, and my timid fish would appreciate the broadcast feeding.
Are there any downsides ?


I think having a UV inline on the return makes this a worse idea.
I worry about food getting stuck in my giant UV casing so I don't think I will do it.

 

[edsbeaker]

I wanted to do this too, but I have my algae turf scrubber in the return section so sadly, I don’t have the room.

When looking into it the only downsides that I found was that you may have to clean the return pump more often and you may have some food that doesn’t make it up to your display. I’ve heard of people that add a small power head in the sump to keep the food suspended so it will not settle and eventually get sucked up.

I think you might find that you also need to order the optional longer tube. I doubt the one that comes with it will be long enough.

I would agree that the UV on the return wouldn’t be a good idea.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I thought about this for a whole second and a half when I got a plank. Then I remembered that putting solids through my pump, reactors, chiller, etc., and the extra cleaning and maintenance that follows was totally not worth it for me. Also, the idea of getting on my hands and knees, ducking under the cabinet, and contorting to fill the feeder was a deal breaker. There’s something to be said for just casually filling a feeder from a comfortable position. Everyone’s use case of different though. I’m just so happy with how silent the plank is. Years of hearing the grinding afs units three times a day a finally over!

 

[PasoFish89]

I do this, however I feed small TDO pellets and I only do it in my AIO tanks. No issues to report and it's nice to have the food get launched into the flow versus right into the overflow before sinking when fed into the tank. On my non AIO tanks, i use the cheap float ring from petco to let it sink. They're project and non display tanks though.