Going On Holiday

[Irf]

Hi all,

I'm due to go on a much awaited holiday in a couple of weeks, so I've been looking around at automatic feeders. Does anyone know if there are such machines that run for more than a week or two?

All I could find were relatively short duration devices. If not, then what have other people done?

Thanks,

Irf.

 

[jayjay]

How long are you going for and what fish do you have? Depending on what the answers are will tell you what to do. Though I just don't feed my fish until I get back or get a neighbour to feed them every few days.

 

[Torrean]

get a timer...and if you'll be gone for more than a week I would get someone to come in and feed premeasured amounts about once every 3-4 days.

 

[Irf]

I'm going to be away for just over 3 weeks.

The tank is a general community one with dwarf gouramis, loaches, guppies, platys, tetras and a couple of rams.

I've been looking at timers, but I'm having trouble finding one that will hold enough. Perhaps I need to get someone in to refill the feeder once a week?

This is the first long holiday I'm taking since getting my tank, and I didn't think about this problem earlier!

What do others do for long holidays?

Irf.

 

[scubadoo]

Most of the automatic feeders that I've seen only last up to 7 days.

If you look on the PFK website, they have a review of about 10 or 12 auto feeders there.

For a 3 week duration, I think your best bet is to pre-measure food and get someone to come in every 2 or 3 days.

 

[Irf]

Thanks scubadoo,

You're probably right. I have found some though that just seem to cycle around the days and as long as there is enough in the container they will keep feeding. That's really what I'm looking for. Then I'm not relying upon any intelligence on the part of anyne i ask to pop in now and then. All they have to do is fill up the container/hopper.

Will have a look at the PFK site now, thanks again.

Irf.

 

[scubadoo]

No probs Irf -

If you ask others to fill the canister when you're away, I'd pre-measure it all out and leave it in an airtight tupperware box or something similar - the tendency is always to stuff that little bit extra in - which is the last thing you want if you're not there. I'd set up an autofeeder to only feed every other day if possible, or alternatively only feed half rations.

When I go away I measure out my flake & bottom feeder tablets etc. (smaller than standard size potions) then put them in a small square of cling film and wrap it into a small ball and ask a neighbour to chuck one portion in every few days or so - seems to work fine.

 

[Torrean]

timer's are for your lights

 

[ImperfectFaerie]

I've heard of problems with the automatic feeders (have never used them myself, just what others have told me) that the food can get damp/moist and stick together, in one case molded from the damp air. That scares me off of those guys!