Black Convict With Serious Open Wounds

BetterBetta

See I've always doubted the automatic feeders, because my inhabitants in the 70G are picky They prefer their food sinking, not floating, and even when we bought sinking pellets, a third of them still floated so you have to like stick your fingers in the water so the pellets soak up the water and sink. But I should probably give it a go, it never hurts to try something...

Jakiebabie

Yes I think you could set it up for a week at a set time, and watch it happen from a distance. See how long each batch takes to sink... maybe it's only 10 minutes before they are heavy enough to sink. that way you train the fish to it too while you are at home to supervise. Test it out. Am thinking I should try this myself.
At least an automatic timer should not forget it's responsablilites... unless there is a power failure of some kind to affect it... oh I guess they might be battery operated? don't know.

BetterBetta

Yeah most I've seen are battery-operated, only bad thing is most I've seen at my LPS are a hefty 30-40$ -.-

amberjade

Sorry to hear about the little guy. :(

When I go away for a week, I do a 50% WC, give the fish a good feed (2 feeds for example - am & pm) and they are fine for a week. You can always grab some pennywort or something like that to float. That will give fish something to nibble and help filter. Then you can just get someone to check that the filter is running properly etc.
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Jakiebabie

Ouch!! I would never recommend this normally but.... Got a Walmart near by? $20 ish. Depends on their pet supply selection.
Good luck with it, it's always a challenge!

BetterBetta

Thanks! Viola! An automatic feeder with good reviews, and a good price (: Automatic Fish Feeder - Automated Feeders - Fish - PetSmart

rrcoolj

So sorry about the lost of your convict at least he died in solitude and peace.

I have never fed my fish when I go away unless it's for more than a week like amberjade. I make sure they are well fed before they leave and do a big water change. unless your fish are very small it shouldn't pose a huge problem. Also I feed NLS to my fish and it sinks well for them. I always recommend it to any cichlid keeper.

BetterBetta

I've heard good things on New Life Spectrum, I need to pick it up. The problem is, with my fish I have little cichlids then bigger ones, and they pick on the lil' guys): So I couldn't leave them without food,

Jakiebabie

Wow I like that one!! And it's 14 day too, you could also skip a day if you want, just put nothing in that chamber. I'm going to see about getting that one too! My daughter lives in a city with a Petsmart, maybe she can pick me up one. Thank you for posting that!

rrcoolj

You probably already know but the tank will not support all those fish. That snook will get big enough to swallow most of your stock considering their massive mouths. That being said It is better to feed fish smaller pellets than larger ones. It is easier to digest and creates less mess. I use the 1mm pellets still for my 6in midas male.