Lovers of aquarium fish often think about purchasing an auto feeder for fish. This is a very functional device, the reasons for its installation may be different: a long absence from home, lack of time, or just convenience. But the fact remains - this is a very convenient unit that you can not only buy at a pet store, but also do it yourself.
Prolonged absence from home makes the owners of aquarium fish think about their automatic feeding.
What is an automatic feeder
All automatic feeders work according to the same principle - it is feeding in portions and at regular intervals. They are also the same in their mechanics: the feed is fed in certain portions through a special hole or a tube from the drum. Similar automatic feeders for aquarium fish are no exception.
After the food is served to the pet, the drum is filled with food again, while the hole will be closed with a special shutter or latch. There are three types of these devices:
- an auto-feeder for fish, which is fully automated and delivers food through an opening mechanical flap;
- auger feeders, in which the food supply is fully regulated by a special worm shaft;
- a disc feeder in which food is distributed among the compartments in the disc. The disc spins, and at regular intervals, food for the fish is supplied from these compartments.
All these devices are united by one common mechanism - this is an electronic control unit, which can be powered both from conventional batteries and from the mains.
The auto feeder delivers feed at regular intervals What's on sale at the pet store
Generally, all automatic fish feeders are widely available in any pet supply store. Each of them has its own sizes, volumes of feed containers, as well as prices. The last characteristic is influenced by the degree of automation of such a unit: the more electronic mechanisms it contains, the more expensive it will cost to the buyer.
The most popular are the products of four manufacturers - Eheim Twin, Juwel, Hagen and Replast Shef. Now about each in more detail:
- Eheim Twin is a German manufacturer that specializes in the production of fully automated, high quality, luxury accessories for aquariums and aquarium fish. The automatic fish feeder is no exception in this case. The device of this company consists of two identical compartments with a volume of 160 ml, from which fish food is served separately and at different times, both of them work independently of each other. A special program is responsible for this, which can be individually configured. In addition, such a feeder has a mini-fan in case moisture gets into the feed compartments. The device itself is powered by four finger-type batteries, the service life of which is designed for four months. The price of such a feeder is appropriate - at least 7,000 rubles. Feeder weight - 600 gr.
- Hagen is another German manufacturer with less bulky machines. The feeder of such a company weighs only 140 grams, the feed container has a volume of only 14 grams. Such a unit is good for feeding fry, it is fully automated for feeding feed twice a day. Powered by just two AA batteries.
- Juwel is again a German company, but this time producing budget versions of electric feeders. Such a device weighs 300 grams, it only needs two batteries to work, it also serves fish food twice a day. The volume of the feed compartment here is 100 grams, and experienced aquarists find this feeder ideal for people who are planning to go on a long trip.
- Replast Shef - this time a company from Italy, which works on a screw principle, feeding fish food three times a day and even protecting it from getting into the humid air compartment. Such a unit will work for a long time from only two AA batteries.
Obviously, pet stores always have a choice. These manufacturers are far from the only ones who produce products for aquariums. On the shelves, you can always find simpler and more budgetary options.
DIY auto feeder
It seems to many that making a fish feeder is difficult and impractical. However, it is not. If you think carefully about the principle of operation of automatic devices from the store, you can understand that it is not at all difficult to do something like this at home. The main thing is to get the most ordinary alarm clock. and a small box. By the way, the box itself can be made yourself from ordinary plastic.
So, in such a container, you need to make a hole in the lid (in one of the corners) - this is how food will be fed into the aquarium. After that, the lid must be removed, and a partition must be glued into the box itself (it will separate the space with the hole made from the main one). If you look at such a device from above, then it will resemble a maze. Then, in the center of the case, it is necessary to make a small round hole, where the aft compartment will be placed on the clock axis.
You can make an auto feeder for fish with your own hands Learn more about the watch movement. Here it is necessary to remove the upper glass from the alarm clock and put it on the clock axis: the feed chamber is attached to the axis, as well as to the hour hand with adhesive tape. Then the position of the arrows is chosen so that the feed is fed exactly twice a day. Thus, food will be fed into the aquarium until the clock hand has completed a full circle.
This homemade device is quite suitable for those people who leave the house for a short time (for a couple of days). It is important that the trough is well secured and the watch battery is not old.
From a bottle and a smartphone
Another way to make your own fish feeder is to take an empty plastic bottle and a regular smartphone that no one uses. Then the following is done:
- the bottle is cut in half - its upper part with a lid remains;
- the lid must be screwed to the neck, but not completely, so that a small gap remains;
- food is poured into the bottle itself (if it begins to ooze through the gap in the cork, it doesn’t matter, this is only at first);
- a smartphone is placed directly into the feed with a pre-set “vibration alert” mode;
- the bottle is firmly fixed over the aquarium;
- When a call is received on this smartphone, the feed will be vibrated through the gap in the neck.
This method may look very funny, however, it works, and the owners can independently dose the food supply to the fish, being far from home.
As seen, leaving the aquarium with fish for a few days is not a problem at all... For savvy owners, you can always find a way to make a simple feeder that will last exactly as long as needed, without requiring any costs. For those who are accustomed to trusting professionals, there is always a great affordable option in any pet store.
If you are going on vacation or a long business trip, and there is no one to leave the aquarium with pets, then you have two options. The first is to find a nanny for the fish, or just let the fish get out on their own and cast lots who will be eaten next. Before you faint from the second option, learn about the automatic feeder.
An automatic fish feeder (feeder) can be a great tool if you need to travel out of town or want to adjust the fish feeding schedule. In this article, you will learn about popular automatic feeders and get instructions on how to create your own.
Don't be confused by variety of car feeders that are sold in stores, they all work according to one basic principle. Each has a timer that you program to release the right amount of feed at a specific time from one to four times a day. The device attaches to your tank or floats on the surface for easy feeding.
As soon as the alarm goes off, the automatic fish feeder either releases pellets from the chamber with one portion or opens the door to release, long enough so that gravity will bring food to the water.
Standard feeders in terms of capacity are designed for a couple, three days. If you are away for a longer period, you will need an auto fish feeder with a large tank. This pleasure is much more expensive, but the aquarium can be left unattended for up to 90 days, provided that the rest of the care processes are also automated.
Pros and cons of automatic feeders
Like any aquarium equipment automatic feeding also has its pros and cons.
The advantageous side:
Cons of feeders:
- Some models have a small capacity, but this may be enough to feed for several days;
- It will not be possible to feed live and fresh products, as they can deteriorate;
- Automatic feeding leads to laziness and neglect of the tank (yes, don't laugh), especially for a child who looks after his aquarium and learns to be responsible;
- High quality automatic feeders are expensive.
DIY automatic feed feeder
If you are sure that an automatic fish feeder is simply necessary for you, you have the opportunity to buy it or make it yourself. Creating your own auto feeder will take a little time, but it will save you money if you have most of the materials you need. Below you will find a list of materials, as well as step-by-step instructions for creating a feeder. You will need:
- Empty plastic bottle
- Plastic cover
- Matches
- Super glue
- Old cell phone or pager (with vibration function)
Step by step instructions
Use a sharp knife or a pair of scissors to cut out the bottom of the plastic bottle and remove the top cap (a milk bottle will work). Place the bottle cap on a flat surface (such as a table). Place the matches on top of the cap, one on top of the other, gluing them to each other and to the bottle cap.
Place the plastic bottle over the matches upside down so that the neck of the bottle is right on top of the matches - glue it in place so that there is a gap. Fill a plastic bottle with pellets or fish flakes - they will spill over the matches, but the bottle cap will stop the flow. Place the cell phone in the bottle after setting the vibration mode.
Place the feeder over your aquarium - you can hang it from the ceiling or walls with a hook, or attach it to the back of the tank. To activate your auto feeder, call by phone or pager - when the phone vibrates, food will go into the reservoir. Quite a simple design, it can be safely used as a backup option if you are out of the house for a couple of days. With any homemade feeders(there are different options) there is a possibility that something could go wrong. For example, the feed will be packed tightly into the hole and the vibration of the phone will not be enough to shake the stagnation. Then you will have an unpleasant surprise upon your return home.
Popular Automatic Fish Feeders
If you like the idea of automatic feeding of fish, but want the process to be accurate and controlled, then it is better to buy a feeder. Below you will find a list of popular automatic models.
Eheim Twin Feeder - This automatic aquarium feeder is equipped with two chambers, so you can offer your fish two different types of food for up to three feedings per day. In addition to the selection from different delivery frequencies, this feeder has up to 9 revolutions at a time, so you can also adjust the batch size. It runs on four AA batteries.
Fish Mate Automatic Feeder- The automatic aquarium feeder has 14 separate compartments for storing individual portions of food. This feeder allows you to program up to four feedings per day and releases food slowly over 2 hours to prevent overfeeding.
Eheim Feed Air Digital Automatic Feeder - This digital feeder is equipped with an electronic programmed control that allows you to feed up to four times a day using flakes or pellets. This feeder has a built-in fan which keeps your food dry so it doesn't go bad. The Eheim Air Feeder can dispense single or double portions (1 minute spaced apart) as well as manual control.
AquaChef Automatic Feeder - This automatic feeder can hold up to 35 grams of food at once and is moisture resistant so you don't have to worry about food getting damp and spoiling. The AquaChef dispenser allows you to select the serving size and number of servings (up to four per day) with a programmable timer - you also have the option of choosing single or double serving.
They say that fish have a short memory... Later research refutes this myth, but it is a good myth, so it is believed. If this is true, and fish do have a memory of about 30 seconds, then how do they remember to eat? One day they realized that they were hungry, and the next moment they would forget. Then they will remember again and forget again. They probably would not have lived for long.
In this case, it is good that the fish are not in charge of their food, at least when they are in your aquarium. However, they face a different problem, and this is not a myth: people forget.
Check the checklist before going on vacation
Now go on vacation with a pleasant sense of accomplishment!
We compared several automatic fish feeders to understand the issue of robotic feeding of aquarium fish and reptiles without the presence of humans.
It comes with a volume of 100 ml. It can be programmed via the LCD touch screen to, for example, feed your fish up to 8 times a day.
It can be used to serve most types of food, and you can even use it to feed frogs, newts, and turtles.
It is easy to install with the guide rail and universal mounting clamp.
With the help of the adjustable slider you can set the size of the dispensed portion. There is also a manual serving button so you can feed your fish outside of a preprogrammed schedule. The feeder is designed not to stop even when the feed slot is upside down. It is transparent so you always know how much food is left inside. Thanks to the built-in fan and internal ventilation system, the feed always stays dry.
The feeder is very secure and the buttons are splash-proof. The charge lasts up to 6 weeks of feeding if you use not one, but 2 AA batteries. There is a two-stage battery level indicator, which will warn early enough that it is time to change the batteries.
There are no downsides to the EHEIM fish feeder, and even the price turned out to be quite affordable. The manufacturer guarantees at least a year of continuous operation without maintenance and you can really rely on this robot. It's easy to set up and use. It also comes with a 3-year manufacturer's warranty.
However, for some, several questions may arise regarding the breakdown of parts of the feeder. Overall the build quality is very good, which explains its reputation in the robotics market and why it has received so many appreciative reviews.
Perhaps the only thing wrong with it is that it doesn't have an off button, but personally I can't see a good enough reason why you'd want to turn it off. Remember that if you remove the batteries to shut off the feeder, you will have to program it again later.
If you have a lot of fish to feed, then this is a great option. It is programmed to feed the fish twice a day, and you can distribute up to 12 feeds each day. It works great at keeping out moisture from the outside, so food inside stays dry and spreads easily. It's also easy to install and configure. 
Its power is great enough that many people admire its ability to keep your fish alive even after being on vacation for 3 weeks or more.
The batteries are reliable enough and there's even a power adapter as a special bonus, so you're not completely dependent on batteries. Once you set it up, it is very easy to use.
There are many moving parts, so there is a greater chance that some part will break. But, judging by the reviews, it has been working for over a year without any problems. The problem is that it is not very easy to access the battery pack after the fish feeder is set up and installed. These are all minor complaints, because even those users who have it broken after 3 months are still planning to buy it again.
The only other problem is that all these great features are not cheap.
Advantages
* reliable
* Can feed a lot of fish
* Effective against moisture
disadvantages
* Expensive enough
* Not easy to access batteries
3. Hydoor - automatic fish feeder
This is one of the most reliable candidates you can find on the market if you want to feed your fish automatically. The design is exceptional so you don't have to worry about any breakages. Even moisture is not a problem - food stays dry.
You can feed the fish 1 to 3 times a day, depending on which meal option you use. The amount of food you ship at a time is also adjustable.
The battery charge is used very efficiently, so even with 3 charges a day you don't have to change batteries for 9 or even 10 months. A low battery indicator is included, so you know when it's time to change batteries.
The only major problem with the assembly is that it is not easy to set up, as you only have limited options when mounting it. And one design issue is that the food container is not very large.
And programming the actions of the trough is not entirely flexible. First, it is too complex. Secondly, you can only choose assigned meal schedules, for example, twice a day every 12 hours or 3 times a day every 8 hours.
And there is no way to set the feeding time later. If you want to set the feed at 8am, you need to wait until that time to set it up.
Advantages
* Extremely reliable
* Can work for a very long time with batteries
disadvantages
* Hard to set up
* Loses programmed parameters
Many people complain about this feeder due to the complexity of the setup. But the point is, you need to read the manual if you want it to work correctly.
If you do, she will deliver on what the manufacturer promises and she will feed your fish up to 4 times a day with regulated amounts of food.
The device is a bit cumbersome, but setup isn't difficult. The feeder uses 2 AA batteries, but does not work with rechargeable batteries. The size of the food compartment is only good for feedings of 2-3 weeks. You will not be able to go on a month's vacation with this feeder.
This is the cheapest item and the quality is good enough for this price.
Advantages
* Fairly affordable
disadvantages
* Not configurable intuitively
* Food container is very small
The Rusee Automatic Feeder is a battery-powered life support system for aquarium fish that attaches to the edge of the aquarium.
The battery powered motor is controlled by a timer function.
The fish food is contained in a rotating plastic hopper. A sliding window adjusts how much food falls out of the hopper when a timer tells the engine to turn.
Each time the motor rotates the feed hopper, one reset occurs. Fish food enters the aquarium water when the hopper is turned over for a short time.
The timer can be programmed to serve fish up to six times in a 24 hour period. Setting up is as simple as setting up a digital clock. Plastic pins are installed on the dial indicating when to feed. The timer can be turned off for manual feeding.
The Rusee Automatic Fish Feeder can dispense a variety of feeds including flakes, pellets, crumbs and pellets up to about 5/16 ".
Since it is battery powered, the Rusee automatic feeder can be used outdoors without fear of electric shock. It is possible to feed the pond fish while you are away from the pond, but you will need to build a small bracket to hold the feeder near the edge of the pond.
Advantages
* Budgetary.
* Powered by battery when power outage.
* Distributes various types of products.
* Feeding several times a day.
disadvantages
* Precise dosing of food is not possible.
* It is not possible to feed different foods on different days like more advanced feeders.
* The timer is not synchronized with quartz and lags behind when the battery is discharged.
A business trip or planned vacation, a trip to distant relatives or a visit - all this implies a temporary absence, during which the care of pets must be delegated to others. In such cases, an automatic feeder for aquarium fish, which you can make yourself, will be very helpful.
The principle of operation of the feeder
How such a device works is clear to everyone. The pre-filled dry food compartments open after a programmed period of time. This will provide the pets with the necessary portion of food as usual.
In specialized pet stores, you can find a fairly large assortment of similar products, the main disadvantage of which will be the high cost. The price directly depends on the degree of automation of the device. The more functions are provided, the more you will have to pay for a miracle device.
The location of the feeder is a separate issue. Ideally, food should only come in with the air aeration turned off. With automated switching on, this cannot be achieved, therefore, the place for attaching a purchased or home-made device is chosen as far as possible from the filter. It is also preferable to use granulated food so that it does not spread immediately around the aquarium, but settles to the bottom. In this case, the fish will have time to eat their portion before it dissolves and will lead to clogging of the filter and deterioration of the water.
We make a feeder and an auto feeder for fish in an aquarium
An auto-feeder for an aquarium will help provide food for fish during the temporary absence of the owner. At the same time, the purchase of such a device is not always justified, so it is worth finding out the options for its self-production.
Necessary materials:
- Clockwork with batteries.
- Light sealed plastic box.
- Internal partition for dosing feed.
- Feeder mounting bracket.
A do-it-yourself feeder for aquarium fish is extremely simple. To do this, it is necessary to make two holes in the body of the feeder: for attachment to the axis of the clock mechanism and directly for feeding. Inside the box (in the clockwise direction), a partition is made of any suitable material. Its location and height determines the size of the disposable portion of dry aquarium food.
The principle of operation of a homemade device is extremely simple. When the dial axis rotates, the box turns over. In this case, a certain amount of food remains behind the partition and, after a full turn, falls out of the hole into the aquarium. It is imperative to test the device, adjust the size of the box and a single serving, and also check it in action. Also, do not forget about reliable attachment to the side of the aquarium.
It is advisable to design a similar auto-feeder in advance, so that there is time to make sure it is working and to correct any possible shortcomings.
Automatic feeder for fish in the aquarium
The original method of making an auto feeder from improvised means is shown in the video. This design has its drawbacks, but in the temporary absence of the owners, it will provide a normal feeding regime. Such an idea should be taken into account, especially since the cost of such a device will not be an example lower than a branded accessory.
Original idea with a phone
Unfortunately, the authorship of the invention of such a device is unknown. It is necessary to prepare an old phone capable of conserving battery power for the expected duration of the owner's absence. The phone is set to vibrating alert mode. Also, a cut-off bottle of food must be secured above the aquarium. The bottle is fixed slightly at an angle so that the food cannot spill out immediately. By experimenting with the details of the placement of the case and the phone, you can achieve the optimal position where the vibration of the phone would cause a certain amount of food to fall into the water.
Alternatively, you can use an inclined plane with holes (perforated cardboard or "modified" plastic packaging elements). The main conditions: the phone should not fall into the water under any circumstances, and the portion size should correspond to the appetites of your pets. The operation of the device is checked empirically, correcting the errors that have occurred. It is also important to exclude the risk of possible activation, therefore it is advisable to use a completely new SIM card. The duration and frequency of calls are determined during the experiment. It is also advisable to test the remote control of the feeder and observe the condition of the fish.
Pros and cons of an auto feeder
An automatic feeder for an aquarium will be of great help not only in case of departure, but also in case of extreme employment, when there is simply no time to devote even a minimum of time to the fish. Also, this device has several advantages over "hand" feeding.
The main advantages of using automatic feeders:
- Provides uniform feeding at a convenient time.
- Optimal for rearing young animals when feeding is carried out several times a day.
- Ease of daily pet care.
There are also some inconveniences associated with the use of such equipment.
Cons of using auto feeders:
- Lack of nutrition and possible death of fish in case of breakdown during the absence of the owner.
- Inability to use for feeding fry. Feeding a small fraction of feed will be difficult.
- Restrictions in the choice of food. The trough is designed exclusively for dry food. Frozen and fresh food for predators will simply go to waste if stored outdoors for more than a day.
- The high cost of purchased devices. If the owner is rarely absent from the house, such a purchase is simply impractical.
The electronic feeder for aquarium fish is a handy device in case of temporary departure of the owners. In this case, there is no need to ask someone to feed the pets. Ready-made devices are sold in pet stores, and the independent manufacture of a fish feeder in an aquarium is described in detail in our information.
Auto feeders for fish: which one to choose?
Preparing this material for publication, I thought, how useful the information will be to the reader? Well, well, it is clear that we all leave home: on business trips or on vacation. And often, it is inconvenient for us to ask our relatives to look after the aquariums, and besides, there are risks that the “looking child” will overfeed the fish, and even more will screw up something ... But, in fact, the automatic fish feeders themselves are just a mechanism that is programmed to dispense feed in a certain period of time! What difference does it make what it will be?
Despite the fact that we live in an age of high technologies and an abundance of consumer goods, it turns out not so simple! Each automatic feeder for fish has its own characteristics and nuances.
The main criteria that a fish feeder must meet are:
1. Easy and convenient to install. The feeder should be mounted in a place convenient for you, and not as the manufacturer intended. Its setting should not lead to a stupor.
2. The auto feeder must be of high quality. The poured feed should not stick together or deteriorate.
3. A fish feeder should provide for an abundance of operating modes. It should be suitable both for standard feeding of fish, and, for example, for frequent feeding when “raising” young fish.
