I haven't fed with my autofeeder (I have the Neptune one) in quite some time (I've gone to frozen (LRS)), but I had been shutting off my return pump and such since the feeder sits on top of my overflow box. I think when I go back to feeding from it I'll simply get a feeding ring. I don't know if I like the idea of the continued on/off wear on the pumps. It was cool to be able to control all that with the Apex, but that novelty has worn off now.