Aquachef automatic fish feeders

Aquachef products are automatic fish feeders that automatically feed pet fish when the owners are away. This is a newer generation automatic fish feeder which replaces old feeding-block models.

Click here to visit the official Aquafeeder Amazon page.

Main feeder characteristics

  • Provides up to eight fish feedings a day
  • Aquachef can be loaded with fish food such as pellet, flake or crumbled food
  • Can provide double feedings for larger servings(where the fish food is dispensed 1 minute apart)
  • Has an adjustable hatch which serves as a stir bar (to make sure the food is not clumped) and controls the amount of food which will be fed
  • The hopper is moisture-resistant (avoids food clamping) and made of easy to clean material.
  • Several clamping methods available including C clamp and Velcro
  • Feeder hopper capacity is 35 grams

Disadvantages:

  • The setup process for aquachef automatic fish feeders has to be carefully followed using instructions, do not program the aquachef feeder without the instruction manual. Several users complained about the counter intuitive feeder set up process. Nevertheless, the instructions are clear and can easily be followed. If you lose the manual you can download it at http://www.current-usa.com/files/AquaChefFishFeederManual.pdf
  • The fish feeder needs to be properly attached or it will not be as effective (read review below for additional details)
  • Warning: Aquachef uses, military time: whereas 1100 hours means 11:00am and 2300 means 23:00 PM.

User feedback:

I am happy with the AquaChef automatic fish feeder. I like the simple design: at each programmed feeding time the clear plastic drum slowly rotates for one full turn, and the plastic door at the top of the drum falls open by gravity when it reaches the bottom, releasing the fish food. The feeder door shuts again as it rotates back to the top position, preventing water from (easily) getting into the drum. A small plastic paddle is set to control how much fish food is released each time. The feeder works on two AA batteries (included). My feeder has been working regularly for about two weeks now, with only these minor adjustments needed:

1. My aquarium has a metal lip around the top edge of it on which rests the glass aquarium cover. Even though the lip is not very wide, it was wide enough to prevent the clamp from clamping properly. However, the clamp is removable (it slides off), and the fish feeder comes with a square of velcro to attach the feeder's base directly to the top of the aquarium cover. I wanted the feeder to be a little higher above the water level, so I sawed off the bottom of the clamp and rubber-banded the top part of the clamp to a handle on the glass aquarium cover.

2. When I first tried the feeder out, I set the plastic paddle to a medium setting, but because the fish food I use is small pellets, it dropped an ENORMOUS amount of fish food into the aquarium. I would recommend doing some practice runs into a bowl to make sure the feeder is releasing the right amount of fish food.

3. Once I had the right amount set, I let the feeder do its job for a few days, but because the airstone was right under the feeder, the bottom of the plastic drum was staying wet because of the bubbles rising to the surface. After a few days, some water did seep through a seam between the drum and its plastic backing, and the fish pellets began to get a bit damp. However, I moved the airstone to the other side of the aquarium, and now the feeder is staying dry and working fine.

Programming the feeder wasn't too difficult (as other reviewers have said, it's like setting an alarm on a digital watch), though I had to read the instructions a few times and experiment to figure it out. You can program the feeder for up to four feeding times per day, and each of these can be a single feeding or a double feeding (in a double feeding the drum turns twice at each feeding instead of once, with 60 seconds between turns). I like the fact that there is also a button you can press to feed immediately (though this doesn't cancel any of the programmed feedings). This was helpful in testing it out.

So, I find that once it was mounted and adjusted properly for my aquarium and food, this fish feeder is pretty dependable.

Actual user feedback by S. Alcott