No vacations, 2 scared to leave tanks, can't make autofeeder work for all fish

[2Wheelsonly]

If you have not already done this, I would advise in establishing a relationship with your local LFS or other reefers if you have limited LFS options. Not only are they there for supplies in a pinch but they understand the hobby and may offer services to watch your tank or potentially source a trusted hired hand.

It’s a vital thing that is overlooked in this hobby if you want long term success. I am an extreme introvert but if you mention my first name to any local LFS they will be able to tell you all about my tank and my livestock/tank health.

 

[MissMolly]

besides what has been mentioned, when I had some difficult to feed fish in a nano, I bought a huge bag of live pods and put it in the tank before my vacation to give them natural food to forage on. The tank already had pods but this way there was excess. You can usually order a bag of 1000+ pods.

That is actually very clever. I haven't thought of that!

 

[MissMolly]

If you have not already done this, I would advise in establishing a relationship with your local LFS or other reefers if you have limited LFS options. Not only are they there for supplies in a pinch but they understand the hobby and may offer services to watch your tank or potentially source a trusted hired hand.

It’s a vital thing that is overlooked in this hobby if you want long term success. I am an extreme introvert but if you mention my first name to any local LFS they will be able to tell you all about my tank and my livestock/tank health.

Honestly wouldn't trust my fish with the local LFS after I have gotten to know them better. They are sweet people but they ALWAYS have desease in their tanks. Wouldn't want their dirty fingers near my tanks

There is a local facebook group for marine tankers in my area but you know - I don't feel comfortable to let just just anyone in my home but maybe over time I could develop a relationship with someone.

I think that I'm more comfortable with finding a setup that can work automatically and then my mom can come around every third day or so to check.

 

[MissMolly]

Get yourself a couple smart outlets and a camera. I love my Kasa smart outlets. Each outlet has its own schedule or you can group them or whatever. Mine is scheduled to turn off the power head for two minutes at feeding time. The eheim auto feeder does its thing during these two minutes. I also have my ATO on one and it can only run for 1 minutes a few times per day. So even if it did malfunction and overfill, it can only go for 60 seconds.
Lastly I have my camera sitting in
Front of the tank that I can watch the whole process. I’m currently on my first trip away from home with a new tank and it’s going great.

Thank you! My setup is very low tech but I think a feeder ring will solve my food going in skimmer problem. I would like to set up a camera though. Which one do you use? We have some for the dogs bur they are not that high resolution.

 

[kornface13]

Thank you! My setup is very low tech but I think a feeder ring will solve my food going in skimmer problem. I would like to set up a camera though. Which one do you use? We have some for the dogs bur they are not that high resolution.

I bough this (REOLINK 4MP Indoor Security... Amazon product) and honestly I cannot recommend it. I can see the tank and watch the feeding process and ensure things haven’t gone off the rails, but it’s NOWHERE near as clear as I would have hoped for.

 

[GuppyHJD]

Hi guys,

so I have a smaller tank w fish, cuc and rock + a pico tank w fish and macroalgae. Both wokring great and stable.

BUT I don't feel that I can go on a proper vacantion because I'm too scared anything will happen to the tanks and I havn't been able to setup a proper feeding system. I have been away for 4 days tops and my mom and dad has been driving 80 km each day to feed the fish. Not sustainable.

I have tried to set up the Eheim autofeeder but the problem is that if I feed a small amount, not all fish will get some, and if I feed a larger amount the flakes get sucked right into my skimmer. Sinking pellets would be much better for me due to the skimming issue but the problem is that I have a blenny that is a very slow eater and he catches flakes easier.

It has come to the point where I really feel tied down by my tanks. I love them but this is a huge headache.

Can you please tell me about your vacation routine? In details please!

I need some time off.

I had a friend 3D print a feeding "chute". The Eheim drops a mix of flake and pellets and they slowly sink down the tube. Once they start sinking the power head below to chute blast the food around the tank. Everyone gets to eat.
I just got back from 3 weeks vacation. I have the Ehiem feed the tank twice a day when I am home and three times when on vacation.