Auto feeder for aquarium: what is it for and how to choose

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Aquarium fish create comfort in the house. They are considered to be the easiest pets to take care of. Therefore, usually fish are started by those who are not at home all day and often leave for a long time. It seems to them that the fish will not suffer in the absence of the owner. But in fact, these pets require the same attention and care as everyone else. And in addition to maintaining the atmosphere they need in the aquarium, it is very important that their food is regular. Therefore, travelers are faced with such a problem: how to feed the fish in their absence? The best way out in this case would be an automatic feeder for an aquarium. You can buy it at a pet store or on the market, then it will provide a normal diet for pets for a long time. If the owner of the fish leaves for a short time, you can make such a device yourself.

What is an aquarium feeder

In order for the fish to feel good, be active and beautiful, they need to be fed regularly. But what if sometimesthere is no such possibility? This happens if the owner leaves for a few days - on vacation or in the country, in offices and organizations that close on weekends or holidays.

In these cases, you can use automatic fish feeders in the aquarium. These are devices that dispense a portion of food in a dosed manner at a specially allotted time. They are designed for feeding adult fish with dry food. Such feeders are attached to the wall or lid of the aquarium, and are powered by mains or AA batteries.

Auto feeder device

All such devices for the aquarium have the same principle of operation. It consists in the fact that at a certain time a certain amount of food is poured out of the container into the aquarium. Different automatic feeders may differ in the presence of various additional functions, such as a digital display or a fan.

1. The most commonly used feeders with a rotating container. The principle of their operation is that when the drum is turned, a certain amount of feed is poured through the hole in the container.

2. A simpler device has disk feeders. In them, the container is divided into a certain number of compartments, which are sequentially emptied when the disc rotates.

3. The most expensive is an electronic automatic feeder for an aquarium. In it, with the help of a given program, a plug is opened at a certain time, and part of the feed is poured out.

Disadvantages of such devices

1. They aredesigned to serve only dry food. Through such devices, you can not feed the fish with live or frozen food. Therefore, prolonged feeding in this way can lead to nutritional deficiencies and illnesses in pets.

2. Automatic feeders cannot be used to feed fry. They need a special diet and diet.

3. Another disadvantage is that an automatic feeder for an aquarium is very expensive. Its price ranges from 1.5 to 7 thousand rubles.

The most common automatic feeders

1. One of the most popular now is Hydor. Benefits include a user-friendly digital display, 10 different meal sizes, and a 2 or 3 meal option.

2. Eheim also manufactures popular models of automatic feeders. They feature a convenient rotating feed hopper, a built-in fan to prevent feed spoilage and a variety of feeding modes.

3. One of the cheapest is the Juwel feeder. Its features are ease of use, the ability to install anywhere in the aquarium and a two-time feed supply.

4. Hagen is the smallest automatic feeder for the aquarium. Even very small food can be used in it, although it only holds 14 grams.

How to use automatic feeders

The mechanism of their action is simple. For the feeder to work, you need:

- pour dry food in the form of granules, flakes or tablets into the container;

- program the feederfor one or two meals a day;

- adjust the amount of feed poured out;

- fix the feeder on the aquarium and turn it on.

Usually, such devices have convenient fastenings and are powered by AA batteries. If the aquarium auto feeder is connected to the mains, it may be inconvenient for prolonged use, as possible voltage fluctuations can knock down the settings. Therefore, in this case, it must be connected to the battery. In order for automatic feeders to serve for a long time and correctly, you need to clean them regularly and do not forget to change the batteries.

Do-it-yourself automatic feeder for an aquarium

The device of such devices is very simple, but their prices are quite high. Because many aquarists make them themselves. The disadvantages of homemade automatic feeders include the inability to regulate portions of feed and feeding regimen.

1. The most complex design is available only to a craftsman who understands electronics. For its manufacture, an engine with a gearbox is needed. The shaft should rotate at a low speed. You can take parts from children's toys or use two timers. A plastic container with a lid is attached to the shaft. On one side you need to cut a narrow long slot. Part of the feed will fall out through it when the container is turned.

2. A simpler device can be made by anyone. To do this, you need an alarm clock with a thick hour hand and a small, lightweight plastic container with a screw cap. It has a hole for pouringfeed.

The box is attached to the hour hand of the clock. And twice a day the hole is at the bottom. To prevent a lot of food from spilling into it at once, you can glue a partition inside or pass a small tube into it.

3. The most interesting one-time automatic feeder is made quite simply. You need to take a plastic bottle, cut off the bottom of it and fix it upside down over the unscrewed lid above the aquarium so that all the food does not spill out at once. In the bottle, directly into the food, you need to put a honeycomb set on vibration mode. And at a certain time you need to call this phone. How long the call will last, so much food will spill out. You can use this method if you need to leave unexpectedly for a short time.