Warmfish

I purchased one of these from Charterhouse Aquatics in August 2010.

Figure 1 – Eheim 3581 Automatic feeding unit

I’d been looking for one of these for while as I dislike the holiday feeding blocks that you can buy in various pet stores. I want to be able to feed my fish when and how I please. This particular model allows you to programme in four feeding times, and the amount you want to feed them at each of those times.

It also features a safety system that detects a low battery and wont allow the feed to take place until the batteries are replaced. This prevents the system from stopping in the ‘down’ position and emptying its contents into the tank.

The feeding window is adjustable with a sliding piece of plastic. It takes trial and error to know exactly when the window is the right size for your tank feeding requirements.

I have placed it directly on the condensation tray of my tank, but it is supplied with clips and other fastenings for your particular feeding hatch.

Read more about it here: saltaquarium.about.com

See a video of it in action below:

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Martin

I purchased a 7W UV Sterilisation system from All Pond Solutions for around £30… a bargain compared to what you’d have to pay in your local fish shop. I originally ordered the 18W version, but it was way to big to fit in my cabinet comfortably.

My particular device is made in China by a company called SUNSUN. If you can read mandarin, you can find out about this product from the manufacturer: here.

The product specification from the manufacturer:

Model Number: CUV-207
Power Consumption: 7W
Suitable for aquariums: 180 litres or less
Inlet/Output adapter size: 0.5 (1/2) and 0.75 (3/4) inches
Cable length: 2.5 meters

I think the manufacturer is being a little cautious with it’s estimates. This particular model would be fine for aquariums up to 300+ litres. I don’t think I’ll even run mine 24/7, as a few hours of zapping each day should be fine for what I want – algae control.

You can read more about how these devices work here: Aquarium UV Steriliser blog

Figure 1 – Box, the device, a pipe (12mm internal, 16mm total width) connected to the inlet with jubilee clip, and a gas lighter used to gently heat the pipe to make it fit.

The manufacturer has specified this device with 1/2-3/4 inch connectors. I wanted to connect it to the outlet of my CristalProfi e900. In order to achieve this, I had to gently heat the end of the hose in order to fit it over the connector. I then waited for the hose to cool and used jubilee clips to hold the hose in place. It makes a really solid hold. My only criticism of the COV-207 is that it does not come with hose fixings, meaning in order to have confidence in the hose staying put, you need to buy jubilee clips!

Figure 2- Jubilee clip holding the 12mm internal, 16 mm total width hose in place.

Figure 3 – The device hooked up to the outlet of the Cristal Profi e900

I’ll report back on how thing go in the algae control stakes.

Martin