Plank Auto Feeder Question

[BZOFIQ]

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.

Just remember to calibrate when you change to different flakes/foods. Some pellets need way less run time vs flakes.

PLANK is one of the greatest things that happened to this hobby - by far! Not because it's an automatic feeder, because it works oh so well.

 

[JGT]

Just remember to calibrate when you change to different flakes/foods. Some pellets need way less run time vs flakes.

PLANK is one of the greatest things that happened to this hobby - by far! Not because it's an automatic feeder, because it works oh so well.

Yes, good call. Going to do a medley of a variety of freeze dried, pellets and flakes.

 

[Ridgeback1]

I think that is a great idea. Installing it in the sump that is. My fish have learned the timing pattern so a couple of my fish huddle around it just before food drops. Here is my Gold Lined Rabbitfish for example. I had it setup for a couple of days in the front of the display so I could get an idea of how it works. I've since moved it to the back corner out of the way near a rock so it can't get such a direct shot at it.

I feel moving it down below to the sump in front of the return will do wonders. It will jet out the returns so even if they figure out the pattern or timing it will spread out allowing more fish to get it. Not one place. I'll be doing that after the upgrade but in the mean time I've created some virtual outlets and use the apex osc code to make it somewhat more random with the day of week cmd. I've also made a couple of timers with the Tunze pumps although they are not as flexible but it does work.

Good luck with the plank. They did a great job on it in my opinion.

My Gold Lined does the same thing. My feeder is above a powerhead so plenty of food gets past the Rabbitfish and disperses around the tank. (That Gold Lined is my least favorite fish--if I could catch him I'd get him out of there (I tried a trap but he wouldn't go in it, and he's too fast to catch in a 327 gallon tank). He's peaceful enough but the vertical "shimmy" swimming thing is annoying to watch and he's decimated soft corals by resting in/on them. Also a hog who grabs food as slower fish such as cardinals are just about to eat it.)

 

[JGT]

Is it just me or is the amount of food pre-tested onto a plate which looked like a decent amount, looks like nothing when it goes into the tank?
I wound up getting the longer feeding tube and put the Plank in my sump. I’m feeding in 3 minute intervals and I sit and watch the tank when it turns on but I feel like I can hardly see anything coming out of the returns.
Checked the Plank/sump and the food is being dumped into the feeding tube and then sucked up by the return pump. I see the fish going crazy so I guess the food is coming out. Maybe the lighting is camouflaging it?