Questions for plank feeder users.

[exnisstech]

Curious about food size that enters the tank. I have 10 chromis in observation that really go after small food. Even food as small as coral food like reef roids sends them into a feeding frenzy. I would like to be able to set up an auto feeder to dispence small particulate type of food and didn't know if the plank has that ability. The jerky sounds like it would fit the bill but I need to dispence it in small enough particles that the larger fish aren't too interested so the chromis can get their share. I have a few auto feeders laying around that dump food in but the ability to dispence the food under the water like the plank does would be ideal.

 

[JoJosReef]

Curious about food size that enters the tank. I have 10 chromis in observation that really go after small food. Even food as small as coral food like reef roids sends them into a feeding frenzy. I would like to be able to set up an auto feeder to dispence small particulate type of food and didn't know if the plank has that ability. The jerky sounds like it would fit the bill but I need to dispence it in small enough particles that the larger fish aren't too interested so the chromis can get their share. I have a few auto feeders laying around that dump food in but the ability to dispence the food under the water like the plank does would be ideal.

It works. The auger dispensing system lets controlled amounts go into the tube with less error than the Eheim types. My only complaint--at all--with the Plank is when trying to mix foods of different sizes/densities. In a dry/freeze dried food mixture, it seems that the smaller, denser particulates (like pellets) settle in the bottom more quickly while the lighter freeze dried componenta sift to the top. This, you dispense more pellet-type particulates in the beginning of a "batch" and leave the freeze dried mysis/calanus/whatever all at the end.

 

[exnisstech]

It works. The auger dispensing system lets controlled amounts go into the tube with less error than the Eheim types. My only complaint--at all--with the Plank is when trying to mix foods of different sizes/densities. In a dry/freeze dried food mixture, it seems that the smaller, denser particulates (like pellets) settle in the bottom more quickly while the lighter freeze dried componenta sift to the top. This, you dispense more pellet-type particulates in the beginning of a "batch" and leave the freeze dried mysis/calanus/whatever all at the end.

So the auger dispenses the food but doesn't grind it at all. I wasn't sure. Since these fish seem to love very small food my plan is to smash any pellets or flakes into a powder and feed that. Do you think it would work for feeding powdered food similar to coral food as long as I get all the food similar in size before adding?
After watching this group chromis for a week in observation I'm wondering if lack of feeding enough is why so many of us fail with groups of them. These guys spend the entire day swimming into the flow from the power head non stop. Even at night they huddle in a corner but still keep moving. I can't imagine they will get enough nutrition to survive long term just being fed a couple of times a day and is the reason I want to try a auto feeder but any that just dump the food in is just going to result in the food floating into the overflow.

 

[JoJosReef]

So the auger dispenses the food but doesn't grind it at all. I wasn't sure. Since these fish seem to love very small food my plan is to smash any pellets or flakes into a powder and feed that. Do you think it would work for feeding powdered food similar to coral food as long as I get all the food similar in size before adding?
After watching this group chromis for a week in observation I'm wondering if lack of feeding enough is why so many of us fail with groups of them. These guys spend the entire day swimming into the flow from the power head non stop. Even at night they huddle in a corner but still keep moving. I can't imagine they will get enough nutrition to survive long term just being fed a couple of times a day and is the reason I want to try a auto feeder but any that just dump the food in is just going to result in the food floating into the overflow.

I think it will do powder just fine. The reef jerky has plenty of powder/fine grain particulates. Like you said, the major appeal of the Plank is the pump hydrating and pulling down the food to prevent feeding the overflow.

 

[exnisstech]

I think it will do powder just fine. The reef jerky has plenty of powder/fine grain particulates. Like you said, the major appeal of the Plank is the pump hydrating and pulling down the food to prevent feeding the overflow.

Thanks. Just the information I was looking for. Can the depth of dispensing tube be adjusted? Sorry for all the questions buts it's not cheap and I don't want to add another piece of gear to my shelf .

 

[JoJosReef]

Thanks. Just the information I was looking for. Can the depth of dispensing tube be adjusted? Sorry for all the questions buts it's not cheap amd I don't want to add another piece of gear to my shelf .

Yes, I had mine pushed up as high as possible, almost up to the auger itself, in the shallower 40g tank, but pushed the tibe back down flush to square platform in the 83.