Holiday feeders

[Robder]

Hiya,

I'm in the process of setting up a 450l Juwel aquarium for oscars.

Can anyone recommend the best auto feeder for this tank and purpose?

I know Juwel do one (with the benefit that it would fit the tank perfectly) - but I'm aware Eheim also do a good one.

Any ideas on the best one?

The Juwel one might not be suited to the larger pellet food and the Eheim might not fit the aquarium (but I've no clue tbh!)

Thanks all.

 

[Colin_T]

Why do you want an auto feeder?

If you are going away for a few days, just let the fish go hungry, they will be fine.

 

[outofwater]

Why do you want an auto feeder?

If you are going away for a few days, just let the fish go hungry, they will be fine.

I LOLd at this reply. Later in February I'm thinking of a week-long trip. My tank can't fit an autofeeder, or I haven't found one that fits, then I was thinking of several "cubes" of time-release food I've seen online and at shops. Reviews are VERY mixed, it seems it comes down to the tank inhabitants personalities. So I did consider the possibility of letting them go hungry for those 5 or 6 days. Do you think that will be fine?

 

[Colin_T]

The fish will be fine for a week without food. Just feed them more often (3-5 times a day) for a couple of weeks before you go away. This will give the fish a chance to fatten up and they can live off their fat reserves.

Do a big water change and gravel clean the substrate every day when feeding more often to keep the tank clean.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

Clean the filter a few days before you go so it is clean and running properly. Then there will be less chance of it blocking up or having problems while you are away.

You can add some live plants to the tank and increase the lighting time up to a maximum of 16 hours per day. This will encourage algae and plant growth and fish can graze on that.

Give the fish a feed just before you leave and go and enjoy your holiday.

---------------------
Unlike mammals and birds that use most of the food they eat to keep warm, most fish take their body temperature from the surrounding water. This means any food they eat is used for growth and movement. This allows fish to go for weeks or even months without food and not die of starvation.

 

[Colin_T]

My tank can't fit an autofeeder, or I haven't found one that fits, then I was thinking of several "cubes" of time-release food I've seen online and at shops.

The holiday blocks are usually layers of food and calcium. If the pH of the water is 7.0, they dissolve slowly over a period of time (usually 2 days for weekend feeders, or 7 days for holiday feeders).

If the pH is above 7.0, they take longer to dissolve and if it's really high, they might not dissolve at all.

If the pH is below 7.0, they dissolve faster and if the pH is really low, they might dissolve in a few hours and release all the food at once.

As a general rule, these types of weekend/ holiday feeders should be avoided unless the pH of your water is 7.0. Even then the fish are fine for a week without food.

The only fish that need feeding every day, are baby fish and holiday/ weekend feeding blocks, and automatic feeders do not work for them anyway.

 

[Robder]

Thanks!

Although I'd feel bad leaving a couple of lairy oscars without food.

They won't eat the cat will they? (Will they?) :0

 

[Colin_T]

They won't eat the cat will they? (Will they?) :0

I don't know, what does the cat look like?
Post a picture of it and let me see

 

[Robder]

On second thoughts, he can probably handle it.

Place your bets.

 

[Colin_T]

mmm tasty and feisty

 

[NannaLou]

Thanks!

Although I'd feel bad leaving a couple of lairy oscars without food.

They won't eat the cat will they? (Will they?) :0

Not if @Colin_T gets there first

 

[GaryE]

There is a chance an Oscar will take out an auto feeder, You don't want to inspire jumping at anything (feeders or cats). A week unfed is no problem. They are hunters/predators, and hunters have off days and weeks. They can handle it.