Auto-feeder for the aquarium: what is it intended for and how to choose

Aquarium fish create coziness in the house. It is believed that these are pets, which are easiest to take care of. Therefore, usually fish start those who are not at home all day and often leave for a long time. They think that the fish will not suffer in the absence of the master. But in fact, these pets require the same attention and care as everyone else. And besides maintaining the atmosphere necessary for them in the aquarium, it is very important that their food is regular. Therefore, lovers of traveling face such a problem: how to feed fish in their absence? The best way out in this case will be an auto-feeder for the aquarium. You can buy it at a pet store or on the market, then it will provide a normal diet for pets for a long time. If the owner of the fish leaves for a short while, this device can be made by yourself.

What is an autocouple for an aquarium?

To fish well, they were active and beautiful, they need to be fed regularly. But what if sometimes there is no such possibility? This happens if the owner leaves for a few days - on vacation or at the dacha, in offices and organizations that close on weekends or holidays. In these cases, you can use the feeder for fish in the aquarium. These are devices that dosed out a portion of the food in a specially designated time for this. They are designed to feed adult fish with dry food. Such feeders are attached to the wall or lid of the aquarium, and are powered from the mains or finger batteries.

The device of autoculls

All such adaptations for an aquarium have the same operating principle. It consists in the fact that at a certain time some amount of food is poured out of the container into the aquarium. Different different autocommunications can have various additional functions, for example a digital display or a fan.

1. The feeders with the rotating container are most often used. The principle of their action is that when the drum rotates through a hole in the container a certain amount of food is poured out.

2. A simpler device has disk feeders. In them, the container is divided into a number of compartments, which are subsequently emptied when the disk rotates.

3. The most expensive is an electronic feeder for an aquarium. In it, with the help of a given program, a stub is opened at a certain time, and part of the feed is poured out.

Disadvantages of such devices

1. They are designed to feed only dry food. Through such adaptations it is impossible to feed fish alive or frozen with food. Therefore, prolonged feeding in this way can lead to a lack of nutrients and diseases of pets.

2. Do not feed fry with feeders. They need a special diet and diet.

3. Another disadvantage is that the auto-feeder for the aquarium is very expensive. Its price ranges from 1.5 to 7 thousand rubles.

The most common autocouples

1. One of the most popular now is the firm Hydor. Its advantages include a convenient digital display, 10 different variants of food portions and a two- or three-time power regime.

2. Eheim also produces popular models of power feeders. They are characterized by a convenient rotary feed hopper, built-in fan to prevent spoilage and various feeding regimes.

3. One of the cheapest - this is the feeder of the firm Juwel. Its feature is ease of use, the ability to install anywhere in the aquarium and a two-time feed supply.

4. Hagen - this is the smallest autocouple for the aquarium. The food in it can be used even very fine, though it can only hold 14 grams.

How to use automatic feeders

The mechanism of their action is simple. For the feeder to work, you need:

- fill up the container with dry food in the form of granules, flakes or tablets;

- program the feeder for one- or two-time feeding per day;

- adjust the amount of poured food;

- strengthen the feeder on the aquarium and turn it on.

Usually such devices have convenient fastenings and a food from finger-type batteries. If the aquarium feeder is connected to the network, it can be inconvenient for long use, since possible voltage fluctuations can knock down the settings. Therefore in this case it needs to be connected to the battery. To ensure that the feeder is used for a long time and correctly, it is necessary to regularly clean them and do not forget to change the batteries.

Self-feeder for the aquarium with their own hands

The arrangement of such devices is very simple, but the prices are quite high. Because many aquarists do them themselves. The drawbacks of self-made feeders include the inability to regulate food portions and the feeding regimen.

1. The most complex design is available only to the skilled craftsman who understands electronics. To produce it, you need a motor with a reducer. The shaft must rotate at a low speed. You can take the details from children's toys or use two timers. A plastic container with a lid is attached to the shaft. On one face, you need to cut a narrow long slit. Through it, part of the feed will be poured when turning the container.

2. A simpler device can do any. To do this, you need an alarm clock with a thick hour hand and a small lightweight plastic container with a screw cap. In it a hole is cut for the rash of food. The box is attached to the hour hand of the clock. And two times a day the hole is below. In order to not get plenty of food at once, you can glue the inside of the partition or pass a small tube into it.

3. The most interesting one-time autocouple is made quite simply. You need to take a plastic bottle, cut off the bottom of it and fasten it with a neck over the unscrewed lid above the aquarium so that the food does not spill out immediately. In the bottle directly into the food you need to put the cellular, set to the vibration mode. And at certain times you need to call this phone. How long the bell will last, so much food will be poured out. This way you can use it if you need to leave unexpectedly for a short while.