Automatic Feeders....What's The Best One???

[samcatj]

I've never used an automatic feeder before and am thinking about using one on a 50g tank of guppies,platys and swords.

Any recomendations on what is a good dependable one? I'm thinking about the Eheim feeder that sells for about $43-46 but don't know much about it.

Any advice would be appreicated.

Thanks,

Samcatj

[Cosmo]

Hands down... it's the Eheim.

You can set them to feed up to 4 times per day, anytime you want, plus.. you can have the barrel rotate either once or twice on each setting. Most other feeders dump twice per day :(

Betcha no one will argue with me this time :)

Jim

[tpl*co]

Hands down... it's the Eheim.

You can set them to feed up to 4 times per day, anytime you want, plus.. you can have the barrel rotate either once or twice on each setting. Most other feeders dump twice per day :(

Betcha no one will argue with me this time :)

Jim

Argue, Argue, Argue...(In favor of) the Eheim, LOL

I've got one on my tank and it's great! One thing though is use good batteries on it (it seems to kill the cheap costco ones my DH brings home too soon, unless he's putting old batteries in the drawer!).

Watch ebay and bigal's, bigal's once in a while has a sale on them, and I think Bill had a sale a while back on them too.

Tina

[tpl*co]

Here's the link to Bill's sale, it was a 12 hour sale, maybe Bill still has some?

http://forum.simplydiscus.com//showthread.php?t=53787&highlight=eheim+feeder

Tina

[poconogal]

The Eheim, no doubt about it, it works great. I bought an Aqua Chef which worked for about 2 weeks, then the programming stopped working and it was dumping all different amounts of food in the tank. Threw it out and bought the Eheim at www.bigalsonline.com where I found it for the cheapest price, including shipping. I see someone gave you the link for Bill's sale. Bill has the best price, by a few bucks.

[lhforbes12]

I've never used an automatic feeder but because of Jim and Connie's suggestions I am getting one from Bill.

(See Jim, I really have nothing against Eheim, it's just the 2200 series I dislike <grin>)

[poconogal]

I've never used an automatic feeder but because of Jim and Connie's suggestions I am getting one from Bill.

(See Jim, I really have nothing against Eheim, it's just the 2200 series I dislike <grin>)

You'll love it, Larry, but Ingrid is going to blame me that you're spending more money on fish stuff. Oh well, at least we're not doing Ebay again! ;)

[lhforbes12]

You know, I still haven't recieved those sponges... I may need to send that guy an e-mail

[lhforbes12]

btw, back on subject, Eheim is supposed to be very good about not letting the food become damp and so not dispensing correctly. Most of the others are supposed to have a problem with this.

[poconogal]

You know, I still haven't recieved those sponges... I may need to send that guy an e-mail
It took mine about a week to get to me this time. Sorry for stealing the thread a bit...

[pcsb23]

Eheim, no question.

[Elite Aquaria]

I also like the Eheim. The only problem is that you can only use one type of food. Although I do mix two types of pellets in the hopper.

Dan

[Cosmo]

(See Jim, I really have nothing against Eheim, it's just the 2200 series I dislike <grin>)

Larry, you don't like the 2200 series :confused: As in the 2215 and 2217 :confused: May be a PITA to clean, but they're probably the most efficient bio filters out there... unless of course one considers the 2229 ;) oops.. that's a 2200 series too isn't it :p

Blashemy I say :D

Jim

[poconogal]

Larry, you don't like the 2200 series :confused: As in the 2215 and 2217 :confused: May be a PITA to clean, but they're probably the most efficient bio filters out there... unless of course one considers the 2229 ;) oops.. that's a 2200 series too isn't it :p

Blashemy I say :D

Jim
I have a 2213. I HATE it and will be selling it shortly. I'm with ya, Larry. ;) Sorry, Jim. :D

[lhforbes12]

Larry, you don't like the 2200 series :confused: As in the 2215 and 2217 :confused: May be a PITA to clean, but they're probably the most efficient bio filters out there... unless of course one considers the 2229 ;) oops.. that's a 2200 series too isn't it :p

Blashemy I say :D

Jim

Jim you're right. I was actually referring to the 2213-2217's, which I truly have a dislike for (In other words the "Classic" series). I do think all Eheim's are over priced, but I do agree that they are also the "top of line" when it comes to filters, and they make great pumps too. Personally I'll take an XP3 over an Eheim though <shrug>

[pcsb23]

I have a 2213. I HATE it and will be selling it shortly. I'm with ya, Larry. ;) Sorry, Jim. :D

Do you ship ;)

[billeagan]

Eheim no doubt. It keeps the food dry... I saw a couple at the show that tried to mimic eheim, but they were plug ins and very large.

[Cosmo]

The 2213 is the baby of the line and sets up and operates differently than the larger models. For relatively small tanks too. Never owned one but I hear they can be PITAs cause they use some type of tube that the larger models don't require.

Never owned one... so no apologize necessary :)

Jim

PS. Larry, I have three 2217's and LOVE EM. I particularly like the way you can mount the head in numerous orientations to point the hoses whereever you need them. Once you get the cleaning system down they're a breeze to clean actually... just IMO

[lhforbes12]

Jim,
I actually only own a 2213, but I thought they were all the same. My mistake. btw my 2213 is probably the very worst filter I have ever owned. Not only is it difficult to maintain, it does not even keep a 26 gallon tank clean.

[Riche_guy]

I have an eheim and a knock off brand. Eheim is a good one. I noticed though on Pet Solution they have one by Rena and it looks very good. How it performs, I'm not sure.

[jpfelix]

i also like the rainbow/lifeguard feeder. 4x feeding and larger hopper as well.

and...no batteries!!

[ShinShin]

Not to argue, but I think that the Rondomatic 400 is superior to all the above mentioned, and is far more versitile. It can dispense 4 times daily, flakes, pellets, live bbs, and medications.

Mat

[EyeOfThierry]

The Aqua Chef Feeder is cheaper and works well. I have 2 and never had problems. You can buy this for about $20. Paying $50 for a feeder seems crazy to me.

It is digital, allows 4 different feeding times, and allows double feedings.

http://www.current-usa.com/aquachef.html

I've bought it at my LFS. I did a quick google search and found it for $19.95 on ebay.