Long weekend feeder options for salt water?

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Myka

I wouldn't worry about 4 days either.

However, I've found some awesome fish feeders recently. Fish Mate F14 feeders. It stores 14 meals for 1 feeding per day for 14 days, or it will feed up to 5 feedings per day. You can feed 1 pellet per day if you want or up to about 1 tsp per meal. It is very versatile and very simple. It also has an airline hook up if you need it. Drs Foster & Smith used to carry them for $25 (sale for $18-20), but they don't carry them anymore. Amazon.ca has them for $37 I think it is.

My problem with fish feeders, is that I can't lower my pump speed at the same time as the auto feedings. As a result, the food gets whipped around so much the fish have a hard time catching it.

Would be nice to be able to connect a feeder to my Apex.

[kien]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

My problem with fish feeders, is that I can't lower my pump speed at the same time as the auto feedings. As a result, the food gets whipped around so much the fish have a hard time catching it.

Would be nice to be able to connect a feeder to my Apex.

don't most feeders have timed feeding? I'm not familiar with any other feeders other than the EHEIM that I use, but mine is set by the time. Because of this I can program my controller for a 5 min feed pause to sync with the auto-feeder's set time(s).

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by kien

don't most feeders have timed feeding? I'm not familiar with any other feeders other than the EHEIM that I use, but mine is set by the time. Because of this I can program my controller for a 5 min feed pause to sync with the auto-feeder's set time(s).

Yes, but the timer is stand alone, and can't connect to anything else. So you have to ensure the time is in sync with your controller. And if you have a power outage while you are gone on vacation, for sure you will be out of sync.

In my specific case, even that is a moot point, as my pumps aren't connected to my Apex anyway.

[kien]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Yes, but the timer is stand alone, and can't connect to anything else. So you have to ensure the time is in sync with your controller. And if you have a power outage while you are gone on vacation, for sure you will be out of sync.

In my specific case, even that is a moot point, as my pumps aren't connected to my Apex anyway.

This is true, both clocks are independent but the EHEIM is battery operated so no power outage worries there. The controllers have battery backups for their clocks. The two clocks do tend do drift over time but for me that's in a matter of 8-10 months before they are completely out of sync. My feed pause runs for 5 minutes which is a huge feed pause since the food is mostly gone within 1 minute. That gives me a 4 minute margin for error for drift.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by kien

This is true, both clocks are independent but the EHEIM is battery operated so no power outage worries there.

Actually, you're right. Had a bit of a brain fart when I wrote that... So I guess if you set both to the same times, and give your pumps some extra time, you should be OK.

But again in my case, because my pumps are not connected to my Apex, it still bugs me that I can't slow my pumps when my feeder comes on.

[Delphinus]

That's interesting, I actually prefer my pumps to stay on when my feeder dumps in so that all fish have a fighting chance to get food. Otherwise there are a 2, maybe 3 champions that would eat it all and the rest would go hungry.

On to the original question, Laurie there are a couple different inexpensive autofeeders you can get. Too bad we're so far away I have a handful I keep on hand for this sort of thing, I'd totally lend you one. But I can't be the only packrat who keeps a surplus of autofeeders, maybe someone closer by can lend you one for the weekend?

Only thing is I would suggest you set it up well in advance so you have a chance to dial it in so you don't have any surprises when you get back on Monday.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

That's interesting, I actually prefer my pumps to stay on when my feeder dumps in so that all fish have a fighting chance to get food. Otherwise there are a 2, maybe 3 champions that would eat it all and the rest would go hungry.

No, with my tank, it is the other way around. The fast fish are better at catching the food in the currents, and it disappears before the slower more timid fish get it.

With the pumps on feed mode, the food spreads around more, and everyone gets a chance to get their share. My top feeders get more before it falls and gets eaten by the mid and bottom feeders.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

My problem with fish feeders, is that I can't lower my pump speed at the same time as the auto feedings. As a result, the food gets whipped around so much the fish have a hard time catching it.

I have 95x turnover in my 90-gallon, and the fish catch the food just fine. In the wild, the waves don't abate when a piece of food comes near a fish. Just sayin'...

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Myka

I have 95x turnover in my 90-gallon, and the fish catch the food just fine. In the wild, the waves don't abate when a piece of food comes near a fish. Just sayin'...

Well, maybe I spoiled mine...

[fixerupper]

Originally Posted by Myka

I wouldn't worry about 4 days either.

However, I've found some awesome fish feeders recently. Fish Mate F14 feeders. It stores 14 meals for 1 feeding per day for 14 days, or it will feed up to 5 feedings per day. You can feed 1 pellet per day if you want or up to about 1 tsp per meal. It is very versatile and very simple. It also has an airline hook up if you need it. Drs Foster & Smith used to carry them for $25 (sale for $18-20), but they don't carry them anymore. Amazon.ca has them for $37 I think it is.

Thanks Myka.
I've been looking for one like this. I'll keep an eye on Amazon.ca

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Well, maybe I spoiled mine...

Yeah. I have "slow" fish too. Maybe there some sort of remedial feeding class...