Automatic Fish Feeder for Ponds and Aquariums

2076 reviews for Automatic Fish Feeder for Ponds and Aquariums

1. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   R and C McMillin – November 25, 2023

   The product arrived in good condition and was easy to assemble. The setup instructions were helpful, although slightly confusing at first when it came to programming. The hopper is spacious and can hold a large amount of koi pellets, which dispense well through the feed tube. After setting it up, the automatic feeding worked perfectly the next day. Only time will tell if it continues to perform well. I found that a regular 5-gallon bucket fits over the feeder, with a slot cut out for the feed tube. To secure the unit, I suggest using patio pavers and screwing it down onto wooden planks. It would have been nice to have additional screw slots on the backside. Overall, with the bucket to protect from rain and the unit securely fastened with additional paver weights, this setup should work fine. Since it is only temporary while I am away, I am not too concerned about the appearance. Its main priority is to do its job effectively.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Doug – November 26, 2023

   I purchased this product approximately three months ago and initially had some issues with the programming. However, after speaking to the right person on the phone, the programming was resolved. The problem arose when I realized that the manual instructions did not match the verbal instructions given over the phone. Fortunately, I came across reviews mentioning that the unit did not perform well in high humidity or rainy conditions as the food would clog up, and the company confirmed it was not waterproof. To prevent this issue, my resourceful husband made a fantastic cover for the unit using materials we already had at home. He used a five-gallon paint bucket, a cemented post outside the pond wall, a metal flat holder previously used for a satellite dish unit, and a few screws. By making air holes in the inverted bucket and creating a cutout for the feed spout, he attached it securely to the holder, which was then fixed onto the post. He even painted the whole setup, giving it a visually appealing look. This cover proved effective when we experienced four days of heavy rain and strong winds just one week after installation. Since then, we have encountered many more high humidity and rainy days, which are quite common in Texas. Regardless of the weather conditions, the unit, with its “weatherproof” cover, has been functioning flawlessly. I load enough pellets into the feeder for a month (sometimes even two months), and so far, I have not encountered a single issue. Moreover, the cover my husband designed can easily be removed for feed refills.

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   R and C McMillin – November 29, 2023

   This product is highly effective once you understand a few things beforehand. The assembly process is relatively simple and the design seems to be well thought out. However, programming it requires following the instructions carefully. First, you need to set the clock, and then you can proceed to set up to three feedings per day, each with a specific amount of food. To ensure accurate dispensing, it is recommended to calibrate the dispenser by measuring the food dispensed at a level 10 and making adjustments according to the number of fish and the size of your pond. In our case, we have three Koi and had to decrease the amount of food dispensed as we noticed excessive uneaten food in the pond.
   The most challenging aspect for us was finding a suitable position for the feeder to dispense food into the pond, while also protecting it from raccoons and other animals that enter our backyard from the nearby woods. Fortunately, we found helpful suggestions from other customers on Amazon, and we are grateful for their ideas. We particularly liked the idea of using cat litter buckets to shield the feeder from the elements and pests. The buckets worked perfectly, with the added benefit of a handle for easy hanging. Additionally, we repurposed an unused bug-zapper pole, which has proven to be a reliable support for our setup. We are so pleased with this arrangement that we are considering using it permanently, even when we are not on vacation. The only thing we wish for is more flexibility in positioning the feeder over the pond, but that may require some additional customization.
   After using the product for some time, we noticed that it doesn’t last a full week on the lowest setting of one feeding per day. We are not entirely sure why, but we suspect it might be due to raccoons. We have observed them trying to reach into the spout, presumably to retrieve more fish food. When we were away for a week, we returned to find the feeder empty. To resolve this issue, we plan to either place it out of reach of the raccoons or find a mesh cover for the spout that will prevent their access. Despite this challenge, we still appreciate the product, but it does require some additional modifications.

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Greg Guinther – December 9, 2023

   Out of all the automated pet feeders we’ve tried, this one is definitely the best. The food hopper easily lifts off the base for hassle-free refilling, and there’s no mess or spillage. It’s also incredibly easy to control the feed rate. The feed mechanism, which uses a helical wire, accurately delivers the exact amount of food you program through a long spout. One tip: make sure to keep the instruction sheet handy because the user interface is not intuitive. If you go several months without programming, you might forget what to do. Personally, I mounted the feeder on a long piece of wood and used the provided screw holes to attach it. I then clamped the wood to a table, positioning it over my pond. When I came back from my holiday, my koi fish were healthy and happy.

5. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Luigi A. – December 14, 2023

   I bought this product to feed my turtles when I am away for an extended period of time. I already have a smaller auto feeder for shorter periods, but I needed something that could last for at least two weeks. This feeder has a large hopper bin, which can probably hold enough food for a couple months. Initially, I planned to use it only during the winter when my turtles are housed in the basement, but I realized it would also be perfect for outdoor use.
   I estimate that it has a capacity of about 2 gallons of food, which is equivalent to two Reptomin 2 lb containers, which I usually purchase on Amazon. It was very easy to install, assemble, and set up. The instructions were clear and straightforward. I had no trouble setting the meal times, and I was able to program it to feed three times a day. The only thing you need to be careful about is the meal size. I initially set it too high, but after a week I realized it was feeding more than necessary. I adjusted the setting and it worked perfectly. I would recommend going through the meal size setup multiple times to get it just right. It also has a manual feed and an off setting, which is a nice feature.
   I’ve had this feeder for a few months now, and it has been working flawlessly. The only downside is that changing the batteries can be a bit challenging. The instructions say that the batteries must be changed within 60 seconds or else all settings will be lost. I haven’t had to change the batteries yet, so I can’t say for sure if it’s difficult or not.
   One important thing to note is that the feeder needs to be secured. I didn’t think it was necessary at first, especially since it was in the basement and wouldn’t be affected by weather or wildlife. However, any movement can cause the food to fall out of the chute. My turtles are quite active, so they would bump against the sides of their tub or jump off their basking dock, causing enough movement to release food they didn’t need. I ended up zip-strapping the feeder securely to a shelf across the top of the tub to prevent any movement.
   Overall, I am very satisfied with this purchase. It is versatile and affordable compared to other options I considered.

6. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Doug – January 2, 2024

   It would be excellent if the device came with an ELECTRIC POWER CABLE. I had to buy rechargeable batteries with their respective charger, which could be avoided if they included the cable.

7. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Ric – January 11, 2024

   Every time I had to leave for a trip, feeding the pond’s carps was a problem. But with this feeder, I have found a solution. It is easy to program, the batteries (Duracell) last a year, and it takes care of feeding the fish every morning. Personally, I made some modifications to it. I removed the top cap and placed a perforated bucket of food on it, which drops the food into its cup. This way, the autonomy has tripled.

8. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Antje Mitschke – January 28, 2024

   The product is perfect. I have been feeding my pond fish (around 30, measuring 15 to 20 cm) for about 5 weeks, twice a day, using position 5 for the distribution time. It has been in service since early July, and it’s a relief to not have to worry about feeding them when I’m away. I highly recommend this distribution device and I am even considering getting a second one to feed our two cats with dry food .

9. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   D. Knight – February 3, 2024

   Great product. Works simply and effortlessly.