Automatic fish feeders for reef and saltwater aquariums
An automatic fish feeder keeps your tank on a consistent feeding schedule, whether you are at work, traveling, or simply want smaller, more frequent meals than you can give by hand. Measured portions also help prevent overfeeding, one of the most common causes of nutrient problems in saltwater tanks. This collection covers the three main feeder styles: dry food feeders, micro-feeders, and refrigerated frozen food feeders.
Types of automatic feeders
- Dry food feeders: rotating hoppers for pellets and flakes, such as the HYDROS Automatic Fish Feeder, the Neptune Systems Apex AFS, and the Lifegard Intelli-Feed. They are affordable, easy to fill, and the right fit for most community tanks.
- Micro-feeders: the Avast Marine Plank and Plank MINI use a precision auger to dispense small amounts of freeze-dried foods such as plankton, rotifers, copepods, and mysis many times a day, which suits planktivores and corals that feed from the water column.
- Frozen food feeders: the InD Aquatics aF4 keeps frozen food refrigerated and doses it on a schedule, so fish that thrive on frozen mysis and brine shrimp get it automatically.
How to choose an automatic fish feeder
- Food type: match the feeder to what your fish eat. Pellets and flakes work in almost any feeder, freeze-dried foods suit the Plank, and frozen food needs a refrigerated feeder.
- Capacity: compare how much food the hopper holds with how long it needs to run. The Apex AFS holds up to 100 mL, and two AFS units can be daisy-chained for longer trips or two different foods.
- Controller support: if you run HYDROS or Neptune Apex, a controller-ready feeder can be scheduled alongside your pumps, lights, and dosing. Browse more in aquarium controllers.
- Mounting: confirm the feeder fits your tank’s rim, eurobrace, or rimless glass. The Plank MINI mounts on rimless, rimmed, T-slot, RMS, and eurobraced tanks, and the HYDROS feeder includes eurobrace and rimless mounts.
Setting up a feeder on a reef tank
Mount the feeder over an area with gentle flow and away from the overflow, so food sinks or circulates instead of going straight into the sump. A feeding ring, like the one included with the Plank MINI, keeps floating foods in place. Schedule feedings for when pumps are in feed mode or ramped down, and run the feeder for a week or so while you are home to fine-tune portions. Keep the hopper closed and away from splashes, since humidity above a saltwater tank can make dry food clump.
Which fish benefit most
Fish with fast metabolisms do best with frequent small meals, including anthias, tangs, and many wrasses. Pair a micro-feeder or frozen feeder with a healthy copepod population for pod-dependent fish like dragonets. LPS and other corals that catch food from the water column also benefit from regular micro-feedings and targeted coral food.
Shop feeder foods and related gear
Stock up on pellets and flakes in fish food, frozen mysis and brine shrimp in frozen food, or browse all foods and maintenance supplies. Pair your feeder with an auto top-off so the tank keeps itself topped up while you are away.
