Feeding your fish when you aren’t home: What is your experience with auto feeders?

[ReeferSamster]

I don't use autofeeders:

1) Feeding fish is half the fun. Why automate it?
2) Whenever someone walks to the tank, the fish always used to hang out at the corner of the tank where the autofeeder was. In fact, they would hang out there regularly and not explore the rest of the tank and it was annoying. Even my CBB used to hang out there and he doesn't even eat the flakes there! He wouldn't scavenge the rocks like he used to. Its a pavlovian conditioning that I don't want.
3)Besides, on vacation? Maybe fasting for a day or so is a good thing and quite natural.

 

[SocalS14]

Have you tried the hydros feeder?

Kind of - it's basically a wifi version of the Eheim. Ran the Eheim for some time.

 

[topdogreefer]

I have used an auto dry feeder with no issues but i think the next time im out im building one of these

That feeder looks awesome have you tried this for every day use? I imagine food settling could become an issue

 

[Midrats]

The Eheims have never failed me.

 

[e-sully]

I will second the super-feeder.com feeders mentioned earlier in this thread. Mine have been working flawlessly for 10+ years plugged into an Apex outlet for control. You can easily daisy chain multiple feeders for large tanks and use only one outlet.

I also built a similar (but larger) frozen food feeder as the youtube video above to feed frozen mysis. The trick to prevent settling is to use a stir plate in the refrigerator that comes on a few minutes before each feeding and turns off after each feeding. Works great.

 

[JM302]

The Avast Plank is the single best piece of gear I've ever purchased. I feed 8x per day during the light cycle but also feed nori every day for the tang gang. My fish are fat, healthy, and I've seen significantly reduced aggression in the tank. I'd also say that because the iffy fish (angels, rabbitfish, etc) are well fed, they are less likely to peck corals. My Anthias are also super happy.

Overall, a real game changer for me. I feed Reef Jerky but I add some stuff to it from time to time - like additional freeze dried mysis, some Ocean Nutrition veggie flakes, etc.

 

[leon.1980]

The AVAST feeder is nice if you are looking for one to use with a Controller. When you plug it in, it is "on" so you just plug it in a Power Bar that is connected to your Controller and use the Controller to "tell it" when to come off and on.

I love love love my plank auto feeder!
Fish and coral are so fat and healthy!
I started slowly adding a little reef roids to my mixture. Don’t want the nutrients to get out of hand but I’ll add a little more till nutrients start to go up a little at a time.

 

[leon.1980]

Never used one before. Waiting on this to drop for vacations and such.

the aF4, the world's first and only frozen fish food feeder.

Explore true aquarium innovation at inD Aquatics, the pioneer in automated frozen fish food feeding. Creator of the aF4, the world's first and only automated frozen fish food feeder. Perfect for reef aquariums and fresh water aquariums. A smarter way to feed your fish.

www.indaquatics.com

Unfortunately I don’t know if this thing is ever going to release! It’s been trough several revisions, looks and name changes since 2019! It was supposed to come out last year!
Needless to say I’ve had my eye on this for years. I gave up and bought a plank. When my tank fills out more I may build a fridge based feeder for more reef nutrition style feeding.

 

[Rp8]

Unfortunately I don’t know if this thing is ever going to release! It’s been trough several revisions, looks and name changes since 2019! It was supposed to come out last year!
Needless to say I’ve had my eye on this for years. I gave up and bought a plank. When my tank fills out more I may build a fridge based feeder for more reef nutrition style feeding.

Yea, there is a DIY with a small fridge doser and some tubing on YouTube that would be perfect. I did realize that this keeps getting pushed back

 

[Cajun86]

This feeder has been working great for me. I can modify the schedule while away from home or ask my google assistant to feed the fish anytime I need.

iLonda Wifi Feeder

I dont think it would be any good for flakes, only pellets so far.

I have 2 of them! working fantastic for almost a year now!!!

 

[KenBabich]

Eheim auto feeder x 2. One has small pellets (smaller opening setting), the other has larger algae pellets (with larger slider opening). Use them daily. When I give other food, simply remove the food holder. No issues with batter life. Been using for a year. Occasional cleaning. I have them resting on the corners of the aquarium lid (50 gallon AIO). Able to set 4 feeding programs (each)

 

[Real McCoy]

I am using the Plank.I have falling in love with it.Especally when on the go or out to late to feed them.I have camera to spy on them when there eating.All controlled by a double wifi outlet.Perfect match.The fish love the reef Jerky I onky have one fish who won't venture that way.My pink spot watchman has set up shop under my Montie.So he won't eat unless I spot feed.Im tempted to move my space invader and put his home under the feeder. The night veiw is also cool when I'm spying on them also. Can you see Willie ?