Warning: Auto Feeders

[AwesomeBean]

Hello All!

I just wanted to tell all of you this. My friend was going on vacation so she bought an Auto Feeder for her fish. When she got back from her vacation, She saw her fish floating on the top of her tank. Not dead, Just floating and gasping for air. Then she saw food floating everywhere in her tank! Auto Feeders do not work well, If you are going on vacation, Ask a friend who knows how to take care of fish if she/he can take care of them for you. DO NOT get an Auto Feeder.

 

[Robotochan]

Is it not best just to not feed your fish? They are made to survive long periods without food and without the food there would be less ammonia produced so not changing the water for 2 weeks wouldn't be so bad?

 

[The-Wolf]

it is far better to underfeed than to overfeed
for that reason when going away for short periods of time (14days or less)
it is best not to feed them at all
note; does not apply to marine fish

 

[afishdude]

when using an autofeeder, alwase set it up a week in advance so you can see if it will work or not.

 

[jayjay]

Some auto feeders are a lot more reliable and better designed then others. Don't class them all as one.Some auto feeders are a lot more reliable and better designed then others. Don't class them all as one.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Also... maybe the fish died for some other reason so they couldn't eat the food that the auto feeder put out.

 

[rdd1952]

As mentioned, not feeding is the best option. I have been gone for a week 2 times in the last year or so and did not feed the fish either time. I came back to hungry fish but healthy fish. The other option is to have someone come over and feed them but don't just leave the amount to them. Pre-measure a normal feeding into small cups, 1 for each day they will feed the fish, and then instruct them to simply pour a cup of food in the tank. That way the fish don't get over fed. Also, hide the rest of the food so they can't decide to add more. You may even want to tell them you are feeding lightly just incase there is a filter problem so there won't be as much ammonia to deal with.

 

[SuperColey1]

I am currently on holiday for 16 days (11 days left). I bought a ReSun Autofeeder and set it for every 24 hours.

I did buy it over a month ago and set it up immediately for 3 reasons:

1 To make sure it worked with no problems
2 To adjust the amount of food dispensed
3 To see how long one fill lasted.

I had no problems in this period so before I left I filled it up and away we went.

I have asked my father to pop in each weekend and check the tank out and if clear to press the manual button just in case it hasnt dispensed and that way they will either get 8 feeds a week or 1 but at least they will get some.

Andy

 

[Straydum]

i would agree that your malfunction autofeeder may be an exception. reliable ones dont usually cause that problem.

 

[rdd1952]

They may work fine and if you buy them far enough ahead to test them good, it lowers the risk of a malfunction but personally, I'd rather not risk it when 7 days without food isn't an issue for the fish.

 

[doubledee]

I don't think you can say all autofeeders are the same as they're not. I have 2 autofeeders, an Eheim one and a Fishmate one. The Fishmate isn't very reliable and I've seen it working one day but not the next. However, I run a combo of them both, with only a small feed at each time. I've always came back to healthy fish. Before I go away, I do several small water changes each day leaving up to the day I go, I always check the batteries and insert new ones if there is any doubt. However, if you're in the market for one, I can highly recommend the Eheim one. I fill it with flake, Tetra Pro, Tetra Prima etc and the fishmate with smaller granual food for the tetras and sometimes tablet food for catfish and shrimp. I also have someone to check on the tank and leave them my telephone number to call if there are any problems. Like the above posts say though, if you're only away for up to 2 weeks, leaving a tropical tank with no food should be fine.

 

[PRW1988]

My father bought a very nice auto feeder from Big Als aquariums, the feeder has been on our 75gallon African cichlid tank for the last 6-8 months and we've never had any problems with it.

Personally, I find that when it comes to auto feeders, much like filters, you can't cheap out and pay less for one that you THINK will be adequate, 70% of the time it won't be. But that's just my opinion.

 

[jourdy288]

when using an autofeeder, alwase set it up a week in advance so you can see if it will work or not.

I sure wish I took that advice. I once bought 2 autofeeders, one for the male betta on my avatar, and one for my main tank. Long story short: My brand new male dwarf gourami died, and a new platy, all I had were 4 zebras, and a baby platy. The male betta died, and my heater was unplugged. Long story shorter: TEST YOUR AUTOFEEDER!

 

[I Love my fishies]

wow I never knew fish could go without food for 7 days

 

[Musho3210]

they can go on a lot longer than a week, a month is even possible (might be a bit hungry when you come back.....)