Auto feed

[Dick]

I tried an automatic food feeder, but it clogged up. I knew I
couldn't relax if I tried to leave for few days. Now I have 5 tanks
and wonder if there is equipment that is reliable that will adapt to
10, 29 and 75 gallon tanks. I feed only flake food. Netmax you said
you have a set up that works for 2 weeks. I have a motorhome and
haven't gone far since driving to Oklahoma City to pick up my first
tank, a 75 gallon.

dick

[Angrie.Woman]

"Dick" > wrote in message
...
>I tried an automatic food feeder, but it clogged up. I knew I
> couldn't relax if I tried to leave for few days. Now I have 5 tanks
> and wonder if there is equipment that is reliable that will adapt to
> 10, 29 and 75 gallon tanks. I feed only flake food. Netmax you said
> you have a set up that works for 2 weeks. I have a motorhome and
> haven't gone far since driving to Oklahoma City to pick up my first
> tank, a 75 gallon.

Have you considered hiring a professional to come in and maintain your tanks
while you're away?

A

[Steve]

Dick wrote:
> I tried an automatic food feeder, but it clogged up. I knew I
> couldn't relax if I tried to leave for few days. Now I have 5 tanks
> and wonder if there is equipment that is reliable that will adapt to
> 10, 29 and 75 gallon tanks. I feed only flake food. Netmax you said
> you have a set up that works for 2 weeks. I have a motorhome and
> haven't gone far since driving to Oklahoma City to pick up my first
> tank, a 75 gallon.
>
> dick

We have reliable neighbourhood teenagers look after the house, cats and
fish. They visit on a daily basis, bring in mail, feed & water cats and
check litter, check and feed aquariums and so forth.

I used to pre-package food in paper twists, placed in jars identifying
the proper aquariums. In recent years we've had the same
"house-sitters", and they simply feed from the fish food containers
because they're experienced and know what they're doing.

I think our insurance requires regular checks of the house, anyway.
Steve

[Dick]

On Tue, 07 Jun 2005 14:01:48 GMT, "Angrie.Woman"
> wrote:

>
>"Dick" > wrote in message
...
>>I tried an automatic food feeder, but it clogged up. I knew I
>> couldn't relax if I tried to leave for few days. Now I have 5 tanks
>> and wonder if there is equipment that is reliable that will adapt to
>> 10, 29 and 75 gallon tanks. I feed only flake food. Netmax you said
>> you have a set up that works for 2 weeks. I have a motorhome and
>> haven't gone far since driving to Oklahoma City to pick up my first
>> tank, a 75 gallon.
>
>Have you considered hiring a professional to come in and maintain your tanks
>while you're away?
>
>A
>
>
You big city people are so spoiled! <g>

I live in a small poor town. The nearest doctor and pharmacy is 26
miles away. If you are not in diapers, going to school or too old to
work, people are working. I found the place 15 years ago, bought some
property and settled in. I take my dogs with me in my old motorhome
when I travel. So until I got my tanks I never gave the problem a
thought. I am sure there is someone in Marfa that could be trainned
to care for the fish and the dogs, but unless the trip was planned far
enough in advance to allow the locating and trainning it won't work.
The most likely need for help would be an emergency such as a close
relative dying, or my having to go to the hospital. I have written
some simple instructions and I do have a couple of near neighbors that
would come in to feed the dogs and fish, but, short of an emergency, I
would never ask. Both are single parent women and have very busy
days. I would never ask anyone to carry on the partial water changes.

Living alone can be wonderful until an emergency. I have worried
about a night time emergency while in bed (no glasses on so I can
see). My vision isn't good enough to see the telephone numbers to
dial 911, so I finally searched the internet and found a device with a
small remote with a large button that automatically will dial 911 when
pressed. It even gives a message saying there is a medical emergency.
Fortunately our Sherrif office can identify me and my address. (The
address was wrong when I tested the device).

I figure one of my dogs will spill the dog food bag and in the summer
they can go outside through a 'doggy door" where there is a automated
water dish. So, I think of automated feeding of the fish from time to
time. I just can't trust the one I bought. Whatever I find will need
to be done to 5 tanks, one of which (29 gallons) is fully enclosed.

I am rambling, but I figure there are others reading this that will
feel less alone knowing they are not the only ones facing these hard
to solve problems and maybe someone has a needed solution.

dick

[Dick]

On Tue, 07 Jun 2005 10:40:40 -0400, Steve > wrote:

>Dick wrote:
>> I tried an automatic food feeder, but it clogged up. I knew I
>> couldn't relax if I tried to leave for few days. Now I have 5 tanks
>> and wonder if there is equipment that is reliable that will adapt to
>> 10, 29 and 75 gallon tanks. I feed only flake food. Netmax you said
>> you have a set up that works for 2 weeks. I have a motorhome and
>> haven't gone far since driving to Oklahoma City to pick up my first
>> tank, a 75 gallon.
>>
>> dick
>
>We have reliable neighbourhood teenagers look after the house, cats and
>fish. They visit on a daily basis, bring in mail, feed & water cats and
>check litter, check and feed aquariums and so forth.
>
>I used to pre-package food in paper twists, placed in jars identifying
>the proper aquariums. In recent years we've had the same
>"house-sitters", and they simply feed from the fish food containers
>because they're experienced and know what they're doing.
>
>I think our insurance requires regular checks of the house, anyway.
>Steve

Isn't that an oxymoron, "reliable neighbourhood teenagers"?

I knew one such teenager many years ago. By age 14 he was mowing
about 20 yards a week. Very reliable. I have no such beasts near to
me. I did learn of one possible teenager that had tropical fish, but
he works in his family's restaurant and wasn't interested.

I really don't pursue this too often. It is hard to prepare for an
emergency when the sun is shinning. I do have good health and any
teenager found today might be an adult before I had a need. Hopefully
there will be warning signs and I can get serious about finding
someone. I also need to make better arrangements in case I no longer
am around. All of my life has been about doing things now it focuses
more on "not doing." <g>

dick

[NetMax]

"Dick" > wrote in message
...
>I tried an automatic food feeder, but it clogged up. I knew I
> couldn't relax if I tried to leave for few days. Now I have 5 tanks
> and wonder if there is equipment that is reliable that will adapt to
> 10, 29 and 75 gallon tanks. I feed only flake food. Netmax you said
> you have a set up that works for 2 weeks. I have a motorhome and
> haven't gone far since driving to Oklahoma City to pick up my first
> tank, a 75 gallon.
>
> dick

...in the other thread you asked...
> In what ways do the various feeders differ? Do you like any better
> than the Hagens? You say they are neither "worst or best."

I've 2nd hand knowledge of other feeder models, but I prefer to comment
only on the models which I have personal experience with. The Hagen
digital feeder seems ok. I don't have the oversize drum option, and they
go for several weeks, so it's not a concern. I also used to sell the
analog model from Hagen and I didn't have many complaints. I had more
returns of the digital model (unit would malfunction and the screen would
start flashing). Fortunately this happens not long after purchase and
was just replaced on warranty. If they don't fail early, they seem to
remain dependable. hth

If it's any consolation, a light fish-load of healthy fish can go several
days without food with no adverse effects, especially in planted tank if
they are able to feed on the plants. When the feeder on my tank of
Monos empties, the Monos start nibbling certain plants (even though they
are basically carnivorous fish). You get to the point where you can
'read' them in a short glance.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Dick]

On Wed, 8 Jun 2005 21:31:25 -0400, "NetMax"
> wrote:

>"Dick" > wrote in message
...
>>I tried an automatic food feeder, but it clogged up. I knew I
>> couldn't relax if I tried to leave for few days. Now I have 5 tanks
>> and wonder if there is equipment that is reliable that will adapt to
>> 10, 29 and 75 gallon tanks. I feed only flake food. Netmax you said
>> you have a set up that works for 2 weeks. I have a motorhome and
>> haven't gone far since driving to Oklahoma City to pick up my first
>> tank, a 75 gallon.
>>
>> dick
>
>..in the other thread you asked...
>> In what ways do the various feeders differ? Do you like any better
>> than the Hagens? You say they are neither "worst or best."
>
>I've 2nd hand knowledge of other feeder models, but I prefer to comment
>only on the models which I have personal experience with. The Hagen
>digital feeder seems ok. I don't have the oversize drum option, and they
>go for several weeks, so it's not a concern. I also used to sell the
>analog model from Hagen and I didn't have many complaints. I had more
>returns of the digital model (unit would malfunction and the screen would
>start flashing). Fortunately this happens not long after purchase and
>was just replaced on warranty. If they don't fail early, they seem to
>remain dependable. hth
>
>If it's any consolation, a light fish-load of healthy fish can go several
>days without food with no adverse effects, especially in planted tank if
>they are able to feed on the plants. When the feeder on my tank of
>Monos empties, the Monos start nibbling certain plants (even though they
>are basically carnivorous fish). You get to the point where you can
>'read' them in a short glance.

I believe in one response you said you use the feeder routinely. If I
can find one that works for me, I would use it routinely just to learn
to trust it to function reliably.

Yesterday I ordered a feeder, but now cannot remember the brand or
model. It is a "drum" model. When brain parts were passed out, I
think I was short changed in hard drive capacity! <g>

dick

[Daniel Morrow]

"Dick" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 8 Jun 2005 21:31:25 -0400, "NetMax"
> > wrote:
>
> >"Dick" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>I tried an automatic food feeder, but it clogged up. I knew I
> >> couldn't relax if I tried to leave for few days. Now I have 5 tanks
> >> and wonder if there is equipment that is reliable that will adapt to
> >> 10, 29 and 75 gallon tanks. I feed only flake food. Netmax you said
> >> you have a set up that works for 2 weeks. I have a motorhome and
> >> haven't gone far since driving to Oklahoma City to pick up my first
> >> tank, a 75 gallon.
> >>
> >> dick
> >
> >..in the other thread you asked...
> >> In what ways do the various feeders differ? Do you like any better
> >> than the Hagens? You say they are neither "worst or best."
> >
> >I've 2nd hand knowledge of other feeder models, but I prefer to comment
> >only on the models which I have personal experience with. The Hagen
> >digital feeder seems ok. I don't have the oversize drum option, and they
> >go for several weeks, so it's not a concern. I also used to sell the
> >analog model from Hagen and I didn't have many complaints. I had more
> >returns of the digital model (unit would malfunction and the screen would
> >start flashing). Fortunately this happens not long after purchase and
> >was just replaced on warranty. If they don't fail early, they seem to
> >remain dependable. hth
> >
> >If it's any consolation, a light fish-load of healthy fish can go several
> >days without food with no adverse effects, especially in planted tank if
> >they are able to feed on the plants. When the feeder on my tank of
> >Monos empties, the Monos start nibbling certain plants (even though they
> >are basically carnivorous fish). You get to the point where you can
> >'read' them in a short glance.
>
> I believe in one response you said you use the feeder routinely. If I
> can find one that works for me, I would use it routinely just to learn
> to trust it to function reliably.
>

It is important to make sure the feeder will work and the best way to ensure
it will is to routinely use it and if it doesn't give you trust then you
need to be extremely careful - I am giving you a conservative thought about
the feeders as I want to cover all bases, if in the rare event it doesn't
work (i.e. there is an earthquake and the feeder gets knocked down or if you
don't follow my recommendations, etc.). Summary - I encourage you to use
them but give them a a while to prove themselves (the automatic feeder(s))
and be careful just in case.


> Yesterday I ordered a feeder, but now cannot remember the brand or
> model. It is a "drum" model. When brain parts were passed out, I
> think I was short changed in hard drive capacity! <g>
>
> dick

I think you said it was one of the ones I recommended - a penn plax daily
double 2? A drum model indeed. Later!

[NetMax]

"Daniel Morrow" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Dick" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Wed, 8 Jun 2005 21:31:25 -0400, "NetMax"
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >"Dick" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >>I tried an automatic food feeder, but it clogged up. I knew I
>> >> couldn't relax if I tried to leave for few days. Now I have 5
>> >> tanks
>> >> and wonder if there is equipment that is reliable that will adapt
>> >> to
>> >> 10, 29 and 75 gallon tanks. I feed only flake food. Netmax you
>> >> said
>> >> you have a set up that works for 2 weeks. I have a motorhome and
>> >> haven't gone far since driving to Oklahoma City to pick up my first
>> >> tank, a 75 gallon.
>> >>
>> >> dick
>> >
>> >..in the other thread you asked...
>> >> In what ways do the various feeders differ? Do you like any better
>> >> than the Hagens? You say they are neither "worst or best."
>> >
>> >I've 2nd hand knowledge of other feeder models, but I prefer to
>> >comment
>> >only on the models which I have personal experience with. The Hagen
>> >digital feeder seems ok. I don't have the oversize drum option, and
>> >they
>> >go for several weeks, so it's not a concern. I also used to sell the
>> >analog model from Hagen and I didn't have many complaints. I had
>> >more
>> >returns of the digital model (unit would malfunction and the screen
>> >would
>> >start flashing). Fortunately this happens not long after purchase
>> >and
>> >was just replaced on warranty. If they don't fail early, they seem to
>> >remain dependable. hth
>> >
>> >If it's any consolation, a light fish-load of healthy fish can go
>> >several
>> >days without food with no adverse effects, especially in planted tank
>> >if
>> >they are able to feed on the plants. When the feeder on my tank of
>> >Monos empties, the Monos start nibbling certain plants (even though
>> >they
>> >are basically carnivorous fish). You get to the point where you can
>> >'read' them in a short glance.
>>
>> I believe in one response you said you use the feeder routinely. If I
>> can find one that works for me, I would use it routinely just to learn
>> to trust it to function reliably.
>>
>
> It is important to make sure the feeder will work and the best way to
> ensure
> it will is to routinely use it and if it doesn't give you trust then
> you
> need to be extremely careful - I am giving you a conservative thought
> about
> the feeders as I want to cover all bases, if in the rare event it
> doesn't
> work (i.e. there is an earthquake and the feeder gets knocked down or
> if you
> don't follow my recommendations, etc.). Summary - I encourage you to
> use
> them but give them a a while to prove themselves (the automatic
> feeder(s))
> and be careful just in case.
>
>
>> Yesterday I ordered a feeder, but now cannot remember the brand or
>> model. It is a "drum" model. When brain parts were passed out, I
>> think I was short changed in hard drive capacity! <g>
>>
>> dick
>
> I think you said it was one of the ones I recommended - a penn plax
> daily
> double 2? A drum model indeed. Later!


Once you start using an auto-feeder, you just leave it on there
permanently and change the batteries every few years or as needed. I
feed 'treats' like frozen foods on the weekends.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[NetMax]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
...
> "Daniel Morrow" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Dick" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Wed, 8 Jun 2005 21:31:25 -0400, "NetMax"
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>> >"Dick" > wrote in message
>>> ...
<snip>

>>> I believe in one response you said you use the feeder routinely. If
>>> I
>>> can find one that works for me, I would use it routinely just to
>>> learn
>>> to trust it to function reliably.
>>>
>>
>> It is important to make sure the feeder will work and the best way to
>> ensure
>> it will is to routinely use it and if it doesn't give you trust then
>> you
>> need to be extremely careful - I am giving you a conservative thought
>> about
>> the feeders as I want to cover all bases, if in the rare event it
>> doesn't
>> work (i.e. there is an earthquake and the feeder gets knocked down or
>> if you
>> don't follow my recommendations, etc.). Summary - I encourage you to
>> use
>> them but give them a a while to prove themselves (the automatic
>> feeder(s))
>> and be careful just in case.
>>
>>
>>> Yesterday I ordered a feeder, but now cannot remember the brand or
>>> model. It is a "drum" model. When brain parts were passed out, I
>>> think I was short changed in hard drive capacity! <g>
>>>
>>> dick
>>
>> I think you said it was one of the ones I recommended - a penn plax
>> daily
>> double 2? A drum model indeed. Later!
>
>
> Once you start using an auto-feeder, you just leave it on there
> permanently and change the batteries every few years or as needed. I
> feed 'treats' like frozen foods on the weekends.
> --
> www.NetMax.tk

I should add a few negatives for those who are now ordering auto-feeders
based on this thread. One problem is that the food delivery is not over
a small area, so either you have a large opening in the tank (which fish
can jump out of), or a small area which accumulates mouldy food which
fell around the edge (and attracts ants, cats etc), or you need to DIY
some type of funnel (on my to-do list).

Another drawback is that it allows you to forget about your tank for days
on end. This can be good or bad, depending on your situation. If you
have a very stable tank, light fish load, mature healthy fish which
co-habitate well, filter & heater redundancy etc, then no problem :o).
However if you don't have all those things, you leave yourself a bit more
at risk in not being forced to check on your fish daily (while manually
feeding them).

I know folks who have lost fish when something broke and they didn't
notice quickly enough, and auto-feeders can increase your attention
interval to weeks, so ymmv. If you let the auto-feeder do the work and
still check on them daily, especially to watch them eat when the feeder
if running, then you are making the best use of the equipment for when
you are home, and don't have to worry when you are not (except for Dick
who I think would not ever be completely worry-free ;~).
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Dick]

On Thu, 9 Jun 2005 22:36:20 -0400, "NetMax"
> wrote:

>"NetMax" > wrote in message
...
>> "Daniel Morrow" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Dick" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> On Wed, 8 Jun 2005 21:31:25 -0400, "NetMax"
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>> >"Dick" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
><snip>
>
>>>> I believe in one response you said you use the feeder routinely. If
>>>> I
>>>> can find one that works for me, I would use it routinely just to
>>>> learn
>>>> to trust it to function reliably.
>>>>
>>>
>>> It is important to make sure the feeder will work and the best way to
>>> ensure
>>> it will is to routinely use it and if it doesn't give you trust then
>>> you
>>> need to be extremely careful - I am giving you a conservative thought
>>> about
>>> the feeders as I want to cover all bases, if in the rare event it
>>> doesn't
>>> work (i.e. there is an earthquake and the feeder gets knocked down or
>>> if you
>>> don't follow my recommendations, etc.). Summary - I encourage you to
>>> use
>>> them but give them a a while to prove themselves (the automatic
>>> feeder(s))
>>> and be careful just in case.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Yesterday I ordered a feeder, but now cannot remember the brand or
>>>> model. It is a "drum" model. When brain parts were passed out, I
>>>> think I was short changed in hard drive capacity! <g>
>>>>
>>>> dick
>>>
>>> I think you said it was one of the ones I recommended - a penn plax
>>> daily
>>> double 2? A drum model indeed. Later!
>>
>>
>> Once you start using an auto-feeder, you just leave it on there
>> permanently and change the batteries every few years or as needed. I
>> feed 'treats' like frozen foods on the weekends.
>> --
>> www.NetMax.tk
>
>I should add a few negatives for those who are now ordering auto-feeders
>based on this thread. One problem is that the food delivery is not over
>a small area, so either you have a large opening in the tank (which fish
>can jump out of), or a small area which accumulates mouldy food which
>fell around the edge (and attracts ants, cats etc), or you need to DIY
>some type of funnel (on my to-do list).
>
>Another drawback is that it allows you to forget about your tank for days
>on end. This can be good or bad, depending on your situation. If you
>have a very stable tank, light fish load, mature healthy fish which
>co-habitate well, filter & heater redundancy etc, then no problem :o).
>However if you don't have all those things, you leave yourself a bit more
>at risk in not being forced to check on your fish daily (while manually
>feeding them).
>
>I know folks who have lost fish when something broke and they didn't
>notice quickly enough, and auto-feeders can increase your attention
>interval to weeks, so ymmv. If you let the auto-feeder do the work and
>still check on them daily, especially to watch them eat when the feeder
>if running, then you are making the best use of the equipment for when
>you are home, and don't have to worry when you are not (except for Dick
>who I think would not ever be completely worry-free ;~).

Netmax,

I can't imagine anyone in this group ignoring their tanks! <g>

After the "relaxing" thread, I am surprised if anyone does anything
BUT look at their tanks!!!

dick