Autofeeder condensation, ideas?

[Def]

Hi,

I'm off on holiday in 2 weeks, so bought an autofeeder (mechanical rotating one, not a holiday feed block). Set it up this week to check it works ok and found I have a serious condensation problem. When I put the feeder in the hood and open the glass cover plates, the heat from the tank water & lights is causing condensation to form inside the unit. That's making all the flake stick together into a big lump, which then won't fall out the hole in the feeder when it rotates to feeding time.

I figured condensation might be a problem, so I covered the gap in the glass cover plates and the entire feeder unit in clingfilm. That meant there was no condensation in the hood, but didn't fix the feeder problem.

rvm suggested I get some pellet food rather than flake, which is one option. chkltcow also suggested I fix a pipe to the bottom of the feeder to lift it off the water level and reduce condensation. That's a bit awkward because of the design of hood - I'd have to leave the hood off completely.

Anyone have any other ideas about how to solve this? I've got 2 weeks to get it fixed before I go.

Cheers.

 

[yhbae]

I know this probably won't help since you purchased it already, but I remember seeing models that allow you to hook air pumps into the feeder. I assume this is to reduce the water condensation...

 

[Lateral Line]

Pelleted food might work, but may also clump. If I am going away for two weeks, I leave them alone. I've never had trouble leaving regular community type fish unfed for two weeks. I have had trouble trying to get other people to feed for me.

 

[Def]

yhbae, it does have space for an airline actually. What kind of pump can I use?

Lateral, I'm a bit nervous about doing that. Especially if I get delayed or end up staying for longer (especially where I'm going).

 

[a.i.m]

what make of fish food timer do u own, ive used 2 different sorts both with pellet and with little or no problem. as for condensation build up leave a slight gap in your fish tank lid to let heat escape slightly, just to prevent maximum condensation attacking the fish food feeder.

 

[Def]

Ok, smallest air pump I could find and 10 feet of standard pipe fixed it. Crisis over

 

[yhbae]

yhbae, it does have space for an airline actually. What kind of pump can I use?

Lateral, I'm a bit nervous about doing that. Especially if I get delayed or end up staying for longer (especially where I'm going).

The model I saw actually has a place to hook up an air tube. I guess they designed it with that in mind...