Hi. Going on vacation for a week, and will have someone come in twice to feed frozen that I'll have portioned out, and check on everything for me. Will also have an autofeeder set up. I have formula 1 flake, and formula 2 pellets, and freeze dried cyclopese, but my Longnose Hawk doesn't seem to eat any of these. I bought the Hikari freeze dried bio-pure brine shrimp but was disappointed at how tiny it is. Almost like a powder. For the longnose hawk, would I be better off with the Hikari freeze dried krill, plankton, or bloodworms just for the auto-feeder while I'm away? Freeze-dried Krill looks pretty large, maybe too large for an autofeeder, but could just appear that way in the magnified photo. San Francisco Bay makes a freeze dried Mysis that looks larger than the Brine I bought. Anyone tried any of these? Thanks. Pam

Hikari Freeze Dried Food (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4279)

San Francisco Bay Freeze Dried Mysis (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18510)

Hi Pammy,

It's always nice to take a break from the day to day routine and go somewhere exciting. For you, hopefully warm.

I have not relied on an auto feeder for quite some time. My experience has been that in the humid conditions of a tank the food absorbs moisture and clumps. This clogs the feeder in short order and the feeder fails to drop food. This is why I'm not a fan of them. During the time that it does work, the food, being necessarily dry, floats and heads quickly toward the overflow. The fish will get a bite or two but much will go down to the sump.

OK, that's the negative aspect of auto feeders. In your case, you will be gone only a week and you have someone coming over to check on things and feed frozen food. Be sure that person knows how to turn of the auto feeder if it is clumping.

Fish and tanks in general can go several days without any food being added. You would probably be OK if your friend feed frozen just three times while your gone.

Enjoy yourself while on vacation.

Dick

Thanks Dick. Going diving in Dominca. :) I've used the autofeed on a few week long trips, and it seems to work well. I haven't noticed any clumping of food or moisture in the food in the auto-feeder when I return. I think it's the Eheim auto feeder I use. I use a floating foam feeding ring that attaches to the glass with a suction cup, under the auto-feeder, so that the food doesn't all go down the overflow, and will sink if the fish don't eat it all right there before it has a chance to sink. (see below). I set the auto-feeder for the smallest feeding, just once a day. I know fish can go days without food, but I just don't feel right about that. I don't worry about it for a weekend, but I do for a week long trip. Never know if something comes up and my friend can't make it over to feed the tank. Thanks for the input!! Pam

Ocean Nutrition Feeding Frenzy Feeding Station (Med) (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Food > Feeding Equipment > Clips & Feed Stations ) (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~SearchStr~feeding%20station~action~vie w~idProduct~ON1151~idCategory~FIFDFECF~category~Oc ean_Nutrition_Feeding_Frenzy_Feeding_Station_(Med) _Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies_Food_Feeding_Equipmen t_Clips___Feed_Stations~vendor~.html)

Hi Pammy,

It's always nice to take a break from the day to day routine and go somewhere exciting. For you, hopefully warm.

I have not relied on an auto feeder for quite some time. My experience has been that in the humid conditions of a tank the food absorbs moisture and clumps. This clogs the feeder in short order and the feeder fails to drop food. This is why I'm not a fan of them. During the time that it does work, the food, being necessarily dry, floats and heads quickly toward the overflow. The fish will get a bite or two but much will go down to the sump.

OK, that's the negative aspect of auto feeders. In your case, you will be gone only a week and you have someone coming over to check on things and feed frozen food. Be sure that person knows how to turn of the auto feeder if it is clumping.

Fish and tanks in general can go several days without any food being added. You would probably be OK if your friend feed frozen just three times while your gone.

Enjoy yourself while on vacation.

Dick

Pam,

That's why I emphasized my experience was from looong ago. It seems like you have things well under control. I like the feeding ring thingie.

Diving in Dominica, WOW! I'm envious! I'm not sure if you are aware ( I think this was posted on TR somewhere) I just became certified about six months ago at age 69 (now 70). My wife is certified but hasn't dove for many, many years. So, we get all new gear while in WI. My nephew is a dive master and got us a great price on everything. We bought a 23' Wellcraft to fish, dive and have fun. Sadly, my wife gets sea sick every time out. She's tried several of the pill things, no help. Some one gave her a patch to wear but we haven't been out since she got them. I haven't been diving since my open water dive. That's not good. Sue is encouraging me to meet some local divers and go out with them. OH, well.

Do you have an underwater camera???

Enjoy your dive vacation, Pam. I'll sit here and gloat. :rotfl:

Dick

Wow Dick. That is AWESOME that you just got certified !!!! I got certified about 5 years ago, and have done around 150 dives so far. The sea sick part is tough. I use my Canon Digital camera, in an underwater case. Works great. Have taken a ton of great photos and video. My avatar was one photo I took on a dive. Happy Diving and Reefing. Pam

Pam,

That's why I emphasized my experience was from looong ago. It seems like you have things well under control. I like the feeding ring thingie.



Diving in Dominica, WOW! I'm envious! I'm not sure if you are aware ( I think this was posted on TR somewhere) I just became certified about six months ago at age 69 (now 70). My wife is certified but hasn't dove for many, many years. So, we get all new gear while in WI. My nephew is a dive master and got us a great price on everything. We bought a 23' Wellcraft to fish, dive and have fun. Sadly, my wife gets sea sick every time out. She's tried several of the pill things, no help. Some one gave her a patch to wear but we haven't been out since she got them. I haven't been diving since my open water dive. That's not good. Sue is encouraging me to meet some local divers and go out with them. OH, well.

Do you have an underwater camera???

Enjoy your dive vacation, Pam. I'll sit here and gloat. :rotfl:

Dick

Thanks, Pam. That's a great shot of the Queen Trigger as your avatar.

It's a bit sad about my not diving but, I guess I just have to extend myself and find some fellow divers.

I'll be expecting some great photos from your trip.

Have fun, dive safe, calm seas, clear vis and return home healthy.

Dick