Automatic Fish Feeders & Digital Food Dispensers
Leave Fish to Their Own Devices with an Automatic Fish Feeder
If you’re going away on holiday, you can’t always take the fish with you — hence, the automated fish feeder. Although you could ask your neighbour to pop in every day to feed the fish, a programmable fish feeder may be more reliable (and less annoying for your neighbour). In your absence, there’s no reason why your aquatic pals can’t enjoy their premium fish food at regular intervals. But let’s back up a bit — what, exactly, are automatic fish feeders, and what do you have to press or jiggle to make them work?
What Are Automatic Fish Feeders?
At their essence, automatic fish feeders are fish food dispensers that release pre-measured portions at scheduled intervals. They are devices usually made from plastic, containing internal mechanisms that store and release food according to user programming. In use, they are attached to the tank (usually on top) so that food can fall right in. There are all sorts of digital fish feeders on the market — including super high-tech Wi-Fi fish feeders — but the battery-operated fish feeder is Aquarium Kingdom’s specialty. We particularly recommend the EHEIM everyday automatic fish feeder due to its quality, reliability and ease of use over the years.
How Do Automatic Fish Feeders Work?
After receiving user input, automatic fish feeders release food from their internal mechanisms in the specified quantity and at the programmed time. Usually, they have an internal compartment or drum that rotates to release the food, as well as a sliding mechanism that moves to open a chute, ensuring the food falls into the tank. You can add different types of food into the feeder — like flakes, pellets and granules. Of course, most digital fish feeders will require batteries — so, as part of your pre-vacation prep, ensure your fish feeder contains batteries that will last. Each automatic fish food feeder will also come with a timer, which you can set up by pressing the corresponding buttons. Functionality may vary from model to model, so be sure to refer to your user manual for more specific instructions.
How Long Do Automatic Fish Feeders Last?
Automatic fish feeders will run out of food after about 14 days. So, in most cases, your digital fish feeder can comfortably cover this two-week time period. But what if your fish eat like sparrows, and eat only once a day? How long can an automatic fish feeder last in that case? It’s difficult to calculate an average, and it would depend on how many fish you have and how much they eat. But you could conceivably make your aquarium auto-feeder last longer than a fortnight, so long as the settings allow for it.
Which Automatic Fish Feeder Is Best for Tropical Fish?
Automatic fish feeders aren’t necessarily made with specific types of fish in mind, but you could determine the best automatic fish feeder for tropical fish by checking if it suits their habits and dietary preferences. So long as you can program your fish food dispenser to release food at the same rate you feed your fish by hand, you should be good to go. Of course, you should also ensure your programmable fish feeder is compatible with the tropical fish food you use.
Where Can I Find the Best Automatic Fish Feeders?
At Aquarium Kingdom, our automatic fish feeders are suitable for multiple types of tanks. We have modern, battery-operated fish feeders that keep fish fed and happy while you’re off doing your own thing. Vacation fish feeders aren’t our sole speciality, either — we also have all your aquarium supplies covered, from air pumps to betta fish food. So, whether you’re heading on holiday and need a fish feeder or you’re just stocking up on food or plants, we’ve got what you need. Head to Aquarium Kingdom for auto-feeders and so much more!