Plank Auto Feeder Question

[JGT]

I did not know they recommended this.

I tried both, always on, and only turn on 30 min before and after each feeding.

I don't have visible algae in my tank but there was a lot of algae in the tube after a few months running it only intermittently.

I run it 24/7 again, squeaky clean inside the tube. Replacing the pump is cheap, and so is the power for consumption.

Yeah, think I’m just gonna let it run. Yesterday, I dropped a spoon of frozen Mysis in there and it dispersed it nicely so another reason to keep it running 24/7.

 

[JGT]

He is not using the plank

He needs to send it to me.

True. He’s only using part of it. Feeder is collecting dust. Be a sport and send it to Bean.

 

[tzabor10]

Thanks for this thread. I learned something new

 

[JPTFish]

I have had one for a long time. I do NOT leave the pump running all the time because I have had both snails and an urchin cover the output which causes water to backup and run down the front of the tank then onto the floor.

 

[JGT]

I have had one for a long time. I do NOT leave the pump running all the time because I have had both snails and an urchin cover the output which causes water to backup and run down the front of the tank then onto the floor.

Now that’s an interesting twist.

 

[Alexander1312]

I have had one for a long time. I do NOT leave the pump running all the time because I have had both snails and an urchin cover the output which causes water to backup and run down the front of the tank then onto the floor.

That is indeed interesting.

I have very large snails and larger urchins who love to hang out regulalry at the bottom of the auto feeder tube and never had this happen. I do have a eurobrace though, so maybe there is less risk, not sure.

Also, I am not sure how the water moves up as the pump pushes water in the opposite direction?

Still, interesting, will see if I can replicate this as a risk to consider.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I have mine on a separate outlet on apex. Starts 1 minute before the Plank and runs for 10 minutes.

Im 100% sure everything is flushed.

 

[xyzner]

I had mine on 24/7 but twice had it overflow, run across the eurobrace and slowly dump water on the floor. In all honesty, it’s on me for not checking for build up inside, but I’m a bit weary now.

 

[areefer01]

Regarding overflow potential, sure. There may be one but some of this will depend on the installation and size of creature potential. The tube should not be against the glass. My limited installation I can't see how that would even be a thing but I guess it is possible. Maybe scale the glass/acrylic display panel, reach rim or euro brace, and follow the path. My gut tells me one would see this behavior before it became a problem but some animals are just fast.

Another potential overflow is the amount of food vs the dial on the bottom. The dial has numbers which are size options for the food to come out. When I first installed the plank I had some bubbles or overflow (back into the tank) because of the food size vs dial setting. I reached out to plank support, got an answer pretty quick from Dan (I think that was the rep), who explained to me the dial setting. Once I changed that the problem went away and never saw it again.

One other time I had bubbles shooting out from the bottom. Again my error because I had elevated the plank feeder to sit on a 2x4 which raised it higher when instead I needed to install a longer tube. Repositioned it by removing the 2x4 I had it on and the problem went away.

If there is a possible risk, or concern, I would encourage the use of a leak detector. Should lower risk level and provide piece of mind.

 

[DevilDuck]

I used to have it set only to run during feeding but found it would clog up. I wouldn't notice it for a while and the food would rot in the tube. Now I run it 24/7.

 

[Peer.Boerner]

Run mine 24x7 after I tried using it the very first time. The little pump impeller wouldn’t spin. Don’t know why but I disassembled and checked it. All was clear. Plugged it in again and it worked. So I figure best to leave it in. Been running ever since.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

If you don't run it 24x7, the inlet/exit of the hydration tube will get VERY covered over and will plug up feeder. Run a tube brush through it once a month. I also ran into snails making their way into the inlet and stopping the feeder from working correctly. The upgraded endcap that the pump fits into fixed that though - I think it was V3?

 

[BZOFIQ]

If you don't run it 24x7, the inlet/exit of the hydration tube will get VERY covered over and will plug up feeder. Run a tube brush through it once a month. I also ran into snails making their way into the inlet and stopping the feeder from working correctly. The upgraded endcap that the pump fits into fixed that though - I think it was V3?

Not true - I run the pump for 10 minutes (6 x 45 second feeding each day) and have the Plank for 3+ years with NO issues.

My friend used to run if together with his Plank - that was an issue. We set his on a separate outlet for 10 minutes, no issues since.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Not true - I run the pump for 10 minutes (6 x 45 second feeding each day) and have the Plank for 3+ years with NO issues.

My friend used to run if together with his Plank - that was an issue. We set his on a separate outlet for 10 minutes, no issues since.

Well I had issues with gunk covering it over. I guess you didn't. Just another piece of data.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Well I had issues with gunk covering it over. I guess you didn't. Just another piece of data.

and how long did you run it previously?

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

and how long did you run it previously?

Intermittent with the APEX program to feed 6x/day. Moved it to 24/7. The algae would cover the inlet/outlet and not allow the food to fully escape. That compounds the algae inside.

It's a tiny pump with the sole function of mixing the food and rehydrating. It's run 24x7 for about 1.5 years now without issue and I don't have the same issue of food getting stuck anymore.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Intermittent with the APEX program to feed 6x/day. Moved it to 24/7. The algae would cover the inlet/outlet and not allow the food to fully escape. That compounds the algae inside.

It's a tiny pump with the sole function of mixing the food and rehydrating. It's run 24x7 for about 1.5 years now without issue and I don't have the same issue of food getting stuck anymore.

How long did you run it?

6x/day

Love it!

You should definitely run the pump 25/8

 

[JGT]

That’s my plan as well. Going to run it like every other hour and do micro feedings. Then do 1 frozen by hand.

 

[areefer01]

That’s my plan as well. Going to run it like every other hour and do micro feedings. Then do 1 frozen by hand.

One thing worth mentioning is that the planks design it is silly easy to see how much food is dispersed onc eyou get it coded. Set up your programming, remove the plank body and set it on plate or over a napkin, and manually run the feeding program. It will disperse and you can visually see how much food was provided.

Assess it. If it looks reasonable dump it in the display or sump (to get pulled into the return pump) and watch how the fish react, how long it takes to consume, etc. Make adjustments, repeat.

Pretty simple really and the tube, pump assembly is not necessary as all you are trying to do is see how much is dispersed.

 

[JGT]

One thing worth mentioning is that the planks design it is silly easy to see how much food is dispersed onc eyou get it coded. Set up your programming, remove the plank body and set it on plate or over a napkin, and manually run the feeding program. It will disperse and you can visually see how much food was provided.

Assess it. If it looks reasonable dump it in the display or sump (to get pulled into the return pump) and watch how the fish react, how long it takes to consume, etc. Make adjustments, repeat.

Pretty simple really and the tube, pump assembly is not necessary as all you are trying to do is see how much is dispersed.

Yes, I did the plate thing to figure out my feeding amounts but dropping it in the tank is a good idea to see what it looks like once it hits the water.
The 2 main game changers of the Plank is the rehydration (esp for freeze dried foods) and the micro feedings so figure I might as well take full advantage.