Automatic Feeders while on Vacation???
- Thread starter Hb2000
- Start date
Envelope system
Because I have someone come in anyhow to feed the cat, I make small envelopes out of wax paper and tape one per day to the front of the tank.
Some of my filters can stop if there is a temporary power outage, the Whispers for example, and this makes me nervous, so I like to have someone take a moment to look at the tanks to see that the filters are still moving water.
Because I have someone come in anyhow to feed the cat, I make small envelopes out of wax paper and tape one per day to the front of the tank.
Some of my filters can stop if there is a temporary power outage, the Whispers for example, and this makes me nervous, so I like to have someone take a moment to look at the tanks to see that the filters are still moving water.
It seems most feel one week without feeding is fine, and if done, could be done sparingly.
I'm wondering if you have to use a feeder (assuming you need to be away longer than a week), are there any feeder out there that can be programmed to feed only once every other day or every few days?
The feeders I've seen at the store and read about on the net all say they can feed daily or even several times each day, but none say less frequently than once each day.
I'm wondering if you have to use a feeder (assuming you need to be away longer than a week), are there any feeder out there that can be programmed to feed only once every other day or every few days?
The feeders I've seen at the store and read about on the net all say they can feed daily or even several times each day, but none say less frequently than once each day.
I bet that even if you couldn't find an automatic feeder that could be programmed to feed every other day, that this could be achieved by using the automatic feeder in conjunction with a power timing device like the ones used for lights while you're away. Set the power device to run 12 hours/day, that way the automatic feeders clock would take two days to run its one day cycle.
That's a good idea and may work for units that run on DC instead of batteries.
Does anyone know if cutting the power to the automatic feeder will reset the feeder's timer or do funny things to the programmed feeding times? You know, kind of like your alarm clock or VCR clock flashing 12:00 after a power interruption.
Just curious. May be someone with a feeder can test this.
Does anyone know if cutting the power to the automatic feeder will reset the feeder's timer or do funny things to the programmed feeding times? You know, kind of like your alarm clock or VCR clock flashing 12:00 after a power interruption.
Just curious. May be someone with a feeder can test this.
My feeders are all battery powered and don't have every-other-day settings.
The idea of rigging something to get such a feeder to run every other day is interesting in an intellectual sense, but sounds like there is too much hassle factor and potential for an error while you're away to mess with, IMO, anyway. This is especially true since fish will do fine for a week without food.
Jim
The idea of rigging something to get such a feeder to run every other day is interesting in an intellectual sense, but sounds like there is too much hassle factor and potential for an error while you're away to mess with, IMO, anyway. This is especially true since fish will do fine for a week without food.
Jim
You're probably right about that Jim. I've never played with automatic feeders so didn't stop to think about them being battery powered. The idea of the electrical lighting timer just popped into my mind so I figured I'd share. Maybe it'll come in handy in for someone in other circumstances.
