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Hi everyone,

My name is Dennis. I am trying to design a food dispenser for turtles as a small side project and I want to know what you guys think. Here are some questions:

1. Do you count or weigh the pellets when feeding turtles?
2. Do you spread the pellets around the tank or just one spot?
3. If you are giving a food dispenser, do you prefer automatic or manual?

I already have some preliminary design and just want to know what other turtle lovers would want in a food dispenser. I welcome all opinions and advices.

Thank you!!!

They already have these. They're called automatic fish feeders. Some of them are large enough to hold turtle pellets.

I feed by size (enough to fit if his head was hollow). I drop in one spot and let the current carry it. If I'm using a feeder it is automatic because I'm not there to feed him myself. I go out of state alot for several days at a time. Hope this helps:)

And for a little more than a automatic fish feeder, they have "turtle" ones: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=34119

Is this something you just want to tinker with? In the linked thread, the idea of an optional AC plug would be useful.

If you can design a "better turtle feeder" I'd buy one!

My ideal auto feeder wishlist:

1. Programmable and customization feeder schedule
2. Accurately Dispenses specified amount of food
3. Able to store different types of food (pellets, sticks, dried shrimp, etc)
4. Makes the turtle work for the food and keeps him entertained

devilduck... I don't think it meets ALL of your wishlist, but it will meet #1 and #3> http://www.eheim.com/en_GB/accessories/ ... eeder_TWIN


For my wishlist:

I'd like one that integrates with an aquarium controller like the digital aquatics or apex neptune. Having a power plug for each chamber would allow me to do this with some simple controller programming via the timer functions.
I want it to run on DC power with batteries installed as backup.
I want the feeder or the controller to be able to tell me when the feeder was low or empty on food.
I want the feeder to be able to dispense at least two types of food.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the input so far. I am very aware the existence of the automatic food dispenser in the market. However, I used see them in my local pet stores (PetSmart, Petco, etc) but not anymore. After received all the comments up to this point, here are some of my comments for each suggestion:

slider_keeper wrote:I feed by size (enough to fit if his head was hollow). I drop in one spot and let the current carry it. If I'm using a feeder it is automatic because I'm not there to feed him myself. I go out of state alot for several days at a time. Hope this helps:)

This is every pet owners' concern and this is the reason why I want to design one.

steve wrote:And for a little more than a automatic fish feeder, they have "turtle" ones: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=34119

Is this something you just want to tinker with? In the linked thread, the idea of an optional AC plug would be useful.

This is very similar to something I have in mind. The only difference might be the mechanism and the programmable functionality. This really helps. THANKS!!!

devilduck wrote:My ideal auto feeder wishlist:

1. Programmable and customization feeder schedule
2. Accurately Dispenses specified amount of food
3. Able to store different types of food (pellets, sticks, dried shrimp, etc)
4. Makes the turtle work for the food and keeps him entertained

#1 is easy to satisfy in terms of programming. #2 and #3 are probably the most popular concern for an auto feeder. As for #4, installing a mini train track might do the work...just pitching in an idea hahaha!!!

VeipaCray wrote:For my wishlist:

I'd like one that integrates with an aquarium controller like the digital aquatics or apex neptune. Having a power plug for each chamber would allow me to do this with some simple controller programming via the timer functions.
I want it to run on DC power with batteries installed as backup.
I want the feeder or the controller to be able to tell me when the feeder was low or empty on food.
I want the feeder to be able to dispense at least two types of food.

I totally agree with you on these functions. It'll be great if I can have a system monitoring everything in the tank and let me control with my smart phone or computer. Integrating functionality and hardwares into a system is not hard but the question is how much is a pet owner willing to pay for a "good food dispenser". The EHEIM TWIN feeder is quite pricey for its functionality.

Again, thank you guys for your input and idea so far and I want to welcome any incoming input as well. I want to start this off as a home project for my turtles first, so I will definitely keep the updating the progress.

denny0104 wrote:Integrating functionality and hardwares into a system is not hard but the question is how much is a pet owner willing to pay for a "good food dispenser". The EHEIM TWIN feeder is quite pricey for its functionality.

If it integrated with my aquarium controller, I'd like to see it at the $200 price point or below.

Wow getting fancy with controller and network connectivity. Might as well integrate an waterproof IP webcam in there too so we can watch them!

Hey for something completely different you can make it float inside the tank. Basically like a larger high tech version of the ZooMed Feeder:

LOL

I've thought about getting one of those (webcam) but was afraid he might nom nom it. I suppose I could encase a little acrylic shield for it. Maybe one on the ATBA basking platform and one in the water.

Here you go devilduck: Here's your next upgrade. Please post a review and give us the URL once you get it working

http://www.protelecomsupply.com/high-de ... 0ft-rating

VeipaCray wrote:Here you go devilduck: Here's your next upgrade. Please post a review and give us the URL once you get it working

http://www.protelecomsupply.com/high-de ... 0ft-rating

I so want one!!!!! That would be awesome for scuba diving around reefs. Why am I not wealthy:(