automatic feeders

[scubamomma]

So as christmas approaches I am preparing to head back to ohio for around 15 days. my current situation in my apartment is that i have 2 24 gal aquapods one with a glass lid the other with the pc lid. I have no idea how to put a feeder on that will not allow my fish to jump ship. looking for suggestions :):fish2::fish2:

[jimsflies]

My feeder drops food through the mesh top so there isn't a breach in containment.

15 days is pretty long time on auto pilot. Do you have someone checking on your tanks? What fish do you have?

[MizTanks]

My feeder drops food through the mesh top so there isn't a breach in containment.

15 days is pretty long time on auto pilot. Do you have someone checking on your tanks? What fish do you have?

Great minds thinking alike :) 15 days is a little long with an auto feeder. Especially if it were to conk out :(

[jimsflies]

I think the problem with most auto feeders is that they tend to overfeed. This is also combined with the issue that a lot of the food immediately floats down the drain before fish get a chance to realize its feeding time. (The later issue can be addressed with a good controller.) So 15 days of overfeeding, could lead to a nasty water quality problem.

Depending on your fish, you may not need to feed them as often as you think (of course some species of fish need multiple feedings per day). If you have fish that can go longer between feedings, if you have a friend that can feed every 3 days or so, that may be a safer solution.

I personally use a controller to control feedings and have it set to every other day. When a feed cycle is initiated, the return pump turns off for a minute, then the food dumps, then after 4 minutes, the return pump comes back on. This minimizes the uneaten food that floats down the drain which minimizes the chance for a water quality issues. The fish also learn to key off from the return pump shutting off so that they know to start looking for food before the feeder releases it. I realize that this is probably more equipment than the average person has though.

[slapshot]

For 15 days you really only need to feed them 3 times. Fish can find food and go awhile without eating once and awhile. I know people who only feed their fish once a week and they are very healthy. When on vacation I always go with a bare minimum. I do use a feeder, the best one on the market. I know Jim will agree the Super Feeder is the most accurate and the only one I trust.

[scubamomma]

I have snowflake clowns and a blenny and a yellow clown goby split between 2 tanks. I am hoping to find someone to feed them but I am in a new state with students who are all from out of state that are traveling home for christmas

[scubamomma]

oh and i have a puffer a small checkered puffer maybe i can find someone who is leaving after I am to feed them as long as possible

[scubamomma]

found someone to feed them while I am gone thanks all!

[slapshot]

Make sure you leave measured cups with the food in it. Most tank watches tend to overfeed

[jimsflies]

A daily pill organizer can be loaded up with the correct feedings if you are just using pellets or flakes.

[scubamomma]

luckily i work in the aquatic sciences department and my friend who is feeding is in charge of all the aquaculture tanks I am going to show her where the food is and she is more capable then a normal sitter yay!

[dputt88]

aquatic sciences dept where?

[scubamomma]

we are at delaware state university Dover,De

[dputt88]

Lucky. Sounds fun.

[scubamomma]

Its pretty cool 35 min from the ocean less than 5 min from the bay. We raise hybrid striped bass and catfish in our aquaculture ponds as well as some other species. Its lots of fun being able to go sampling and see what we can get