I'm looking for an automatic feeder that can dispense flakes or small pellets up to 3x a day for up to 3 weeks. There's a lot of models out there. I would like to place it in a locked hood (to prevent unwanted accessing to the tank by the public at large). Was wondering if anyone has had any experience? I liked the systems by "Superfeeder", but I don't see a model that will fit under a hood. Also, have you had any experience with any of the manufacturers attempts (air dryers, funnel moisture traps, etc.) to keep flake food dry?
Automatic Feeder
- Thread starter BHRay
- Start date
I had similar issues with a display tank in an assisted-living facility some time back - a locked hood was essential. After trying a variety of auto-feeders I settled on Eheim's units. All the units that I tried other than that one gave me moisture problems with the food (clumping to obvious mold). Those were backed up to a cut-out in the back of the hood, and did not have the problems the others did, plus were low enough profile to fit.
All of the units, Eheim included, were a PITA to calibrate the food delivery. I ran days-to-weeks of testing over saucers to get the feeding levels where I wanted them.
All of the units, Eheim included, were a PITA to calibrate the food delivery. I ran days-to-weeks of testing over saucers to get the feeding levels where I wanted them.
Same application. Looking to put one in an Alzhimer unit. Does the "feed air" feature require an external pump? Did you use it? What type of fish did you have in the tank. With some of the limited vision of the patients, I'm thinking large and colorful. Thx for your feedback.
I've got one of the Eheim air feeders, too. It doesn't require an air pump. When it dispenses food, it draws air in and passes it thru the food chamber, so that whenever the dispenser hole is facing the water, a small puff of air is blowing out to prevent mosture from being drawn into the food.
Jim
Jim
I don't recall if it takes AA or AAA (and I don't have it handy in front of me) but I do recall that it specifically said to not use rechargeables.
Batteries last forever in this thing. I have some that are surely a year old and they still work.
Jim
Batteries last forever in this thing. I have some that are surely a year old and they still work.
Jim
Jim answered the air bit - the tiny motor which rotates the food container has an equally tiny fan moving the air - it looks like a joke, but it did the job.
Jim also answered the battery question - open ended in my application. One feeder fed 2x daily, the other only 1x daily, and they last indefinitely like a year and a half or more.
I could write a book about the things (largley but not entirely food) I found in the tank before I retrofitted to lock down.
Sorry I lost track of the thread...
Jim also answered the battery question - open ended in my application. One feeder fed 2x daily, the other only 1x daily, and they last indefinitely like a year and a half or more.
I could write a book about the things (largley but not entirely food) I found in the tank before I retrofitted to lock down.
Sorry I lost track of the thread...
I've got three of the Eheim 'Feed-Air' automatic feeders that I use on my tanks when I'm away on travel. They take two double-A batteries. I've had great luck using the feeders with flake and pellet food, and pulverized dry meds on a hospital tank. As RTR said, the only hard part is getting the size of the outlet set properly for the contents.
Cheers,
-fpsiv
Cheers,
-fpsiv