Plank avast marine feeder... Pump stuck

[kris2001]

Hi

I only use the auto feeder when I'm on vacation and I'm going on vacation for 3 weeks next month ,so I checked and the pump is stuck it's not working... so I dipped it for 24 hours in mild acid one : six water ratio... Still doesn't run. What should I do? Pic attached.

This was the newer pump they recommend (sicce)...Plank v3.5 Mixing Pump Upgrade kit for like $37.

Kris

 

[edsbeaker]

Soaking it may not be enough without taking it apart. Have you tried dismantling it. The impeller may just be stuck.

 

[KStatefan]

Take it apart and clean.

 

[kris2001]

Will try, hoping that the small sicce pump can be opened and impeller taken out!
Thx

 

[edsbeaker]

Will try, hoping that the small sicce pump can be opened and impeller taken out!
Thx

It can. I always take mine apart for cleaning.

 

[kris2001]

Wasn't difficult... Works now thx.
Do you all run it 24 /7? How long do you go between it not working..I hope few months.

I'm yet to add that new accessory to regulate flow in the bottom side ,unsure if I need it .

 

[KStatefan]

Wasn't difficult... Works now thx.
Do you all run it 24 /7? How long do you go between it not working..I hope few months.

I'm yet to add that new accessory to regulate flow in the bottom side ,unsure if I need it .

I run my 24 / 7. Not sure what you mean by "go between it not working" I take it out and clean it every couple months or so. If you are going to take it out and store it run it in fresh water prior to storing it.

 

[Tcook]

Run the pump 24/7. Haven’t seen that device on the bottom of the feeding tube before and it’s not listed diectly on their site. What does it do? Change direction of dispensed food? Not sure I would want to retrict food flow that is already in the water. Seems like more chance for a clog.

 

[kris2001]

Ok I'll run 24/7...

Just one more!
By the way the feeder works well with only one kind of pellets ?or can I mix various sizes together along with some flake food? Thx

 

[mmorrison55]

Good idea to pick up a spare sicce nano pump and just swap them out every month or so,while the other is taken apart and soaked in citric acid.

Usually can find them for ~$30

 

[KStatefan]

Ok I'll run 24/7...

Just one more!
By the way the feeder works well with only one kind of pellets ?or can I mix various sizes together along with some flake food? Thx

I use a mix of freeze dried and pellets in mine.

 

[Amstar]

I run the pump 24/7 and only clean maybe every few months.

In my plank I am running various freeze dried food and pellets:
pacifica freeze dried krill (for the bigger fish)
Brine shrimp (small amount)
Copepods
calanus
mysis shrimp
algae pellets
two chromoboost pellets

then I have the add on/upgrade plank mixing assembly (goes on the bottom of the tube) that allows me to adjust to have some of the food "swirl" in the tube longer to get rehydrated before it drops down into the tank

I use it to feed not only when I am on work trips etc but for my daily feedings -- small feedings throughout the day have help with fish aggression and healthier fish in my opinion

 

[kris2001]

Issue with freeze dried is they tend to float isn't it? Do you all break up the freeze dry into smaller pieces

 

[Amstar]

I combine all of my freeze dried into a bowl and then mixed together and break up the bigger pieces - then the good part of the plank is as it goes down into the feeding chamber if you have the adapter/plank mixing assembly you can make sure the food "rehydrates" enough that it sinks down the tube and out into the tank --

I have my food come out near a powerhead so It makes sure to push the food across the tank -- however once any small amounts of food comes out the fish then flock to the feeding tube and go on a feeding frenzy

 

[kris2001]

I combine all of my freeze dried into a bowl and then mixed together and break up the bigger pieces - then the good part of the plank is as it goes down into the feeding chamber if you have the adapter/plank mixing assembly you can make sure the food "rehydrates" enough that it sinks down the tube and out into the tank --

I have my food come out near a powerhead so It makes sure to push the food across the tank -- however once any small amounts of food comes out the fish then flock to the feeding tube and go on a feeding frenzy

THX all.So there's no minimum food size, even mini pellets, flakes are ok I guess

Does it still work well that is it pushes out the right amount of food on the set time?... even when the supply is getting smaller and smaller?

My plank is older so doesn't have that
adapter/plank mixing assembly. Is this the one you're talking about?
What problem is it solving...I didn't get it reading .
The Plank v3.6 Mixing Assembly Upgrade - Bulk Reef Supply https://share.google/AH5EltgtRB0la9Tcm

 

[KStatefan]

THX all.So there's no minimum food size, even mini pellets, flakes are ok I guess

Does it still work well that is it pushes out the right amount of food on the set time?... even when the supply is getting smaller and smaller?

My plank is older so doesn't have that
adapter/plank mixing assembly. Is this the one you're talking about?
What problem is it solving...I didn't get it reading .
The Plank v3.6 Mixing Assembly Upgrade - Bulk Reef Supply https://share.google/AH5EltgtRB0la9Tcm

You can easily adjust the flow in the mixing chamber. The orginal one did not use a Sicce pump and you had to adjust a slide at the pump. It sounds like there have been some improvements in this version compared to the other ones that use the Sicce pump also.

Avast has made multiple improvements to the Plank since it was first introduced.

I have never measured the amount of food dispensed to see if it changes hopper full / low

 

[Amstar]

so on the bottom of the mixing assembly you can choose a number which goes with the size of the hole that it allows the food to drop through. if you are finding that your hydrated food is coming out of the tube and is not "re-hydrated" enough and it floats to much you make the hole smaller and it keeps the food in the tube "churning" more from the pump which allows it to absorb more water and become more dense and sink more -- is how I can best explain the assembly

 

[areefer01]

Also when in doubt just send them an email. They are super helpful and respond rather quickly I've found. I'm only a couple months in the product line but every time I've sent an email I had a response within a business day.

 

[kris2001]

THX all.
What's the best freeze dried food that's plank friendly and hydrates well and good for variety of fishes?I will crush it and add to plank reservoir... Pls let me know

 

[KStatefan]

THX all.
What's the best freeze dried food that's plank friendly and hydrates well and good for variety of fishes?I will crush it and add to plank reservoir... Pls let me know

I use a variation of this with some TDO pellets added.

My DIY freeze dried food recipe

I have the avast marine plank auto feeder and it addresses a unique problem with freeze dried food in that it rehydrates these foods before feeding to the tank. Freeze dried foods can provide excellent nutrition and a staple in feeds. Freeze dried foods can also be amazing for medication...

www.reef2reef.com