Requirements:

• A fish tank
• Fish food
• AA batteries (included)

Auto Feeders vs. Food Bricks

If you own a fish tank and are going away for the weekend, or on vacation, you basically have 3 options if you really care about your fish:

Personally, I'd rather not give someone access to my house. And would you really entrust your aquarium to somebody who doesn't know anything about aquatics?

If you are looking for a low-cost solution to feed your fish while you are away, then you might want to research "vacation food bricks" for your fish. For example, you can feed 1-3 betta fish for up to 7 days with Pro Balance Betta Blocks. Each food block releases tubifex worms, bloodworms, daphnia, and white shrimp... a regular smorgasbord for your betta fish. Different types of fish require different types of food so do your research first.

The food bricks are an easy low cost solution, but what happens if you need to go away for more than 7 days? Or what if your fish eat special food that doesn't come in bricks?

Sounds like you need an auto feeder.

Eheim Auto Feeder

Eheim is a well know name when it comes to professional fish care. They make everything from pumps and filters to accessories like auto feeders.

The Eheim 3581 "Feed-Air" Digital Automatic Feeder is by far my favorite auto-feeder because it's so straightforward and easy to use. The Eheim 3581 lets you program up to 4 daily feeding cycles of flake food or granules, choose between single portion, double portion with 1-minute interval, or manual override.

The programming interface is simple. All your programmed choices are presented on an easy-read LCD screen. The EHEIM auto feeder feeds your fish on a regular daily schedule that you define. You decide when the fish should be fed. Double dosage of the food is also provided in the programming if you want to feed once in the morning and once at night. "Snacks between meals" is also possible at the press of a button at any time. The batteries last at least 3-5 months but a warning system informs you of low battery power.

I also really like the transparent reservoir. It lets you see your fish food allowing you to monitor food level "at-a-glance." Here's a size comparison photo of the Eheim next to an iPod Touch.

Food Dampness

One of the things you really need to consider when buying an auto feeder is "dampness" of the food. Cheaper auto feeders lack an integrated ventilator. Because auto feeders are usually very close to the tank, they tend to allow moisture into the food reserve. As a result, moist fish food will spoil and clog the unit.

The Eheim doesn't have this problem. It has a built-in ventilator that prevents moisture issues. This aerated feeding chamber takes in dry air before feeding and helps keep all the food in the 100 ml. chamber dry down to the last flake. So maintenance is almost non-existent.

How to Replace the Batteries

1. Unscrew the battery compartment (Only if necessary. Not all models have swrew secured battery compartments).
2. Push the tab located on the bottom forward portion bottom of the fish feeder in, and pull up on the battery compartment lid.
3. Place one AA battery, positive (+) end up, in the back of the battery compartment. Slide a second AA battery, negative (-) end up, in the front of the battery compartment. Click the battery compartment lid over the batteries.
4. Push the food canister away from the control head of the fish feeder. Place a thumb on the recessed area of the food canister. Push toward the top of the canister to remove the canister lid. Set the canister lid aside.
5. Fill the canister to the "Full" line. Push the canister lid onto the canister. Push the assembled canister onto the control head. The canister will snap when seated. Slide the adjuster located in the recess area of the canister to the amount of food required for your fish.
6. Set the fish feeder on top of the aquarium with the back of the canister over the aquarium water.
7. Press the "Set" button. Press the plus (+) button to adjust the hours of the current time. Press the "Mode" button a second time, and press the plus (+) button to set the minutes of the current time. Press "Set" one more time to store the current time.
8. Press the "Mode" button to set the first feeding time. Set the hours and minutes of the feeding time as described for the current time. Press the "Mode" button a second time to enter the number of times to feed your fish per day. Press the "Set" button to save the feeding time(s).
9. Press the "EHEIM" button to use the feeder feed your fish manually between set feeding times.

Final Thoughts

I've owned a Eheim auto feeder for years and have even purchased them as gifts for other friends with fish tanks. I recommend this product without reservation.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure your fish are taken care of and stay happy and healthy while you are gone. Replace the battery every 6 months or so and this auto feeder will keep you and your tank critters happy for a long, long time.

With the fish taken care of, all you'll have to worry about is your house plants.

This item is available for purchase from Amazon.com Eheim GmbH & Co. KG is a German company founded by Gunther Eheim. It manufactures different kinds of water filters (internal and external) and the associated filter media, pumps, accessories such as aquarium fish feeders, gravel cleaners and garden ponds, while its subsidiaries MP (Mueller and Pfleger) manufacture aquariums and Jäger, aquarium heaters.. For more information, check out: http://www.eheim.com/ Rating: Requirements: AA batteries, fish & fish food Manufacturer: Eheim