Feeding and Nutrition :: Auto-Timed Feeders?

[penelope]

I was browsing the pet store and saw that EHEIM has created a battery operated turtle feeder.
Shame on them!
If I want to automatically feed my RES, then why bother? (rhetorical) I might as well trade them in for fish.
Maybe - and only a maybe - I could see some value if I'm going to be out of town for 2 -3 days, but...

Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this picture?

RES require so much more - marketing something that alludes to raising aquatic turtles being as easy as just tossing in an auto-feeder seems wrong to me.
Yeah - another soap box...
More than happy to be proven wrong...

[stopgaming]

There's another thread of someone using this and they had a bug infestation problem...

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=31703

[penelope]

Hmmm I will look that one up.
Thanks!

[stopgaming]

I got the EHEIM auto feeder as a gift...its still in the box...LOL!

[cutepanda86]

I was looking at one of those. I'm going on vacation and I wanted Sheldon to be fed while I was gone.

Anyone have any good ideas for that or should I try to get a friend to help out?

[steve]

Depends... how long will you be away for?

[cutepanda86]

About 8 days. He's going to need someone to feed him. I'd actually prefer someone stopping by so they could check on the water levels too.

[penelope]

Yeah - not addressing the feeding interval (guessing 2-3 days at a pop is not a big issue if he is healthy when you leave), but having someone check in is the best option. Not only can they check the water level, they can make sure the filter is running OK.
You don't necessarily need someone to come by every single day, just give them a mini-lesson on what to do if the filter clogs or heater dies, or whatever. maybe leave $20 in case the heater dies or something.
You may want to get a light timer at the hardware store. Just be sure the heater and filter aren't on the timer...yeah, a no-brainer but it can happen by mistake
Apologies if it sounds like overkill. It's just because I had some super-duper fall-out from choosing an unreliable "feeder" - though, I was gone for 2 weeks.

[cutepanda86]

^^Thanks! I have a friend who has fish so I think if she's free, she'd be the best fit. I have a Zilla power center which I'm using right now and it is great!

Ouch. I hope your turtle was ok.

[SINI5T3R]

iv also read that when the turtles figure out that the auto feeder drops food for them every time, that they end up waiting by it alot and splash around and if water gets in there it clogs up the auto feeder pretty easy and makes a huge mess.

[Caphits]

I used a cheap 10 dollar auto feeder from walmart one time. It seemed to do the job pretty good. (I tested it before I used it on the tank.) I just broke up the pellets into 3rds, so that they would fit through the hole of the feeder. He didn't die, so I guess that is a plus!

[cutepanda86]

^^That's awesome! Not killing your turtle is always a good sign. lol

[penelope]

Yeah no kidding! live turtles are good

@caphits - how long were you gone? just curious

[cutepanda86]

^^I'm curious as well. If it could be used for only vacation applications then it might be worth it.

[ElectricTurtle]

^^Thanks! I have a friend who has fish so I think if she's free, she'd be the best fit. I have a Zilla power center which I'm using right now and it is great!

I also like the Zilla power center since I am in school and it's hard to regulate everything manually. Been working for the 8 months I've had Tesla so far... *knock on wood*

I have the Eheim automatic feeder too since this semester has been pretty crazy for me. I "turn it off" (ie Close the trap door) on the days he doesn't need pellets and I regulate how much he gets. I just wish they were more properly designed so you could change what days of the week you could feed them instead of just a daily time.

If I ever design a better turtle feeder I'll let you all know. I still want to set-up a good webcam server so I can watch Tesla from a distance when I am away from the house.