Feeding through IM AIO return?

[Jamie9]

Ok, so I've been looking for various automatic feed options for my IM 40 gallon AIO. The main limiting factor has been...I've got small fish that like to jump, so I've got a very tight lid that I'd rather not put extra holes into.

So, I'm considering feeding via my return chamber in my AIO. Could be frozen (thawed) or freeze dried. It would then go through my Mightyjet return pump and out via the included IM nozzles (which are a bit narrow but I suspect a large mysis shrimp could get through).

So, is this something normal that people do? Or a terrible idea and I'll quickly clog my return pump with shrimp paste?

 

[get-salty]

Hey howdy.

Well i have to say i have not heard or seen anyone with this idea !

Personally i would not do it bc i prefer having a clean sump.

If you're concern about opening up the lid, thaw out the mysis and use a plastic pipette - off of Amazon, and feed it thru the netting.

Option 2 would be to use smaller pellets, it should fall thru the netting as well. I havent had any issues with small pellets falling thru any of my tanks.

Good luck and happy reefing

 

[jonelder68]

Your return pump is much smaller than mine but I’ve been feeding through my return pump in the basement for almost a year now with no issues. Works fantastic! Though I’m feeding just dry foods through it.

 

[Jamie9]

Yeah, I'm leaning toward this being a terrible idea both due to possible pump maintenance issues as well as if there's a dead spot in my sump it could get quite nasty.

It's less that I mind moving the lid at feed time...more that when I'm out of town for a week I need this running, so I'd have to make some major modifications to the lid to have something like a plank running. I'm considering an IM AF4...at least the tubes are small enough that I won't have to cut away a huge amount of my lid frame.

 

[Jamie9]

Your return pump is much smaller than mine but I’ve been feeding through my return pump in the basement for almost a year now with no issues. Works fantastic! Though I’m feeding just dry foods through it.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[jonelder68]

If you have space to replicate similar to mine with an extension off the return and tee it with a funnel/larger pipe that the feed tube fits into there’s no loss of food in the sump. My return chamber is spotless as all food goes to DT.