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They have been around for quite some time, but they have recently become more popular with pet owners. It’s an affordable option for betta owners and does not require setting a complicated timer.Automatic fish feeders are a great way to avoid the hassle of remembering when and how much food your fish need. The best value selection on our list was the Zoo Med BettaMatic Automatic Daily Betta Feeder. It was one of the few feeders that customers have used for several years without issues. Our top pick was the Eheim Everyday Fish Feeder Food Dispenser, and it stood apart with a giant chamber that holds 6 weeks of food. With a human backup, you can ensure your fish are healthy when you’re away.Īutomatic feeding is vital for pet parents who frequently travel, but some brands in our reviews were equipped to handle long trips better than others. A clog in the chamber or a malfunctioning timer can deprive your fish of food or release too much material into the water. Although buying a feeder was meant to keep you from relying on a friend or neighbor, you should ask someone to drop in a few times when you leave for several weeks. However, the water pump will stop working without a backup. You do not have to stress about your fish starving during a power outage with a battery-powered feeder. The waterproof tape will work better than masking tape, but it will wear down eventually and lose adhesion since it’s close to the water level. You can modify the opening with waterproof tape, as many unsatisfied customers have done, but you’ll have to check it periodically to ensure it’s secure. Some feeders have adjustable portion control, but even on the lowest setting, the amount may be too much for your fish. This may solve the condensation problem, but it leaves less food for the fish if you’re away for several weeks. A dehumidifier or fan can reduce the moisture in the feeder, but some customers discovered that leaving a space at the top of the food chamber also decreased the humidity. Although the feeders are covered with plastic lids and vented with air holes, condensation often finds a way into the reservoir after several days. Image Credit: M-Production, Shutterstock Condensation IssuesĪutomatic feeders sit inches from the water level, and several brands have issues with moisture dampening the food supply. However, most problems occurred when the flakes became wet and caused a clog, and some customers were able to reduce moisture with air hoses and fans. Feeders generally have more issues with flakes than other types, and you may try experimenting with a different food for your fish if you plan on using a feeder. For instance, our #5 pick (Fish Mate F14) did not have problems dropping pellets but became clogged when loaded with flakes. Whether you use pellets, powder, or flakes to feed your fish, you may have issues using your preferred food in the feeder. By running the feeder for several days or weeks, you can adjust if it clogs or becomes damp from condensation. A test will show how much food is dropped each time, and the initial portion may not be suitable for the species in your tank.
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Most feeders do not require assembly and can be installed immediately, but you should test the machine on a paper towel or sheet of paper before attaching it to the tank. Before leaving for vacation, run a few tests, and feed the fish for several weeks with the device. Most manufacturers claim their products accept all food types and are not affected by condensation, but we reviewed several feeders that did not live up to the claims. We noticed several customers installed their feeders just before leaving town and had disastrous results. While most feeders supply fish food for a few weeks, some models, like our top pick, will drop meals for over a month. Before selecting a brand, you can examine these tips for using the feeder in your home. Automatic feeders are useful devices, but some models are more reliable than others.
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