What food does everyone put in their Avast Plank?

[JVU]

I dump mine into the display. The creator of the Plank mentioned to me that ambient humidity can be a problem for food getting gummed up, this is the main reason I don’t put them in the sump area (100% humidity in a closed cabinet with water). Second reason is that I’m more likely to notice when they run out or otherwise need attention if they are out and visible.

 

[derek_SR]

I have 2 planks. One feeds SF Bay brand freeze dried mysis (larger size) with a splash of Reef Jerky (smaller). The other feeds pellets, about 3/4 TDO medium, plus whatever else I have, which varies.

2 planks because the dried mysis feeds relatively slowly and the pellets faster. Like the pellets are enthusiastic to come out and the mysis needs some coaxing lol. If you put them together you get way more pellets out than mysis, the pellets can actually displace the mysis up and off the feeding screw (I think). Also because sometimes one of them fails for any of a variety of reasons, usually either something stuck to the intake of the mix pump, or junk clogging the outflow of the mixing chamber. So I don’t have all my autofeeding eggs in 1 basket.

This is exactly my experience with mixing the pellets and mysis, I guess I never thought to just buy a second plank...brilliant. I think I will do this and start scaling back on my frozen feeding.

 

[MichaelB]

So based on the general response here about planks it seems like a worthwhile investment for the most part?

I may have to strongly consider picking one up.

 

[derek_SR]

So based on the general response here about planks it seems like a worthwhile investment for the most part?

I may have to strongly consider picking one up.

You do need a controller outlet to use it - when it's plugged in it's ON so you have to set up an on/off schedule.

But yea no other auto feeder even comes close.

 

[dangalang]

What number setting on the plank does everyone use?

I feed pellet and flake in mine and use the #3 opening, because that size is slightly larger than the largest pellets I'm using. When I clean my plank, there is always nasty gunk buildup inside the 3d printed funnel/hole/pump outlet. I'm wondering if I should use the biggest opening to help prevent food from getting clogged and extend the time between cleanings?

 

[MichaelB]

You do need a controller outlet to use it - when it's plugged in it's ON so you have to set up an on/off schedule.

But yea no other auto feeder even comes close.

Oh I didn't know that so no built in timer like some others?

So like a basic smart outlet with timer functions or some type of controller a apex/ hydros

 

[PjFish]

I am putting TDO, Seaweed Extreme, some flakes, and Reef jerky in it. My fish love everything that comes out of it, even my triggers go for seaweed, seaweed pellets etc, so cannot tell and continue to mix various types of food.

On a separate note, I do not, oddly but intentionally, feed anything from the SF Bay Brand. They seemed to have produced more local previously (under different ownership?) but seem to source the majority now from 'overseas', where breeding conditions might vary, and I am trying to avoid this.

I did notice the same thing with SFBay who also discontinued some of their products one of was the small frozen krill cubes which was real good with hardly any bits of shells just meat.. Didn’t know they changed ownership!

 

[PjFish]

Haven’t used an auto feeder yet do the fish still beg for food whenever someone comes up to the tank still? My fish have eyes on my kitchen and observe me prepping their food which is only 5 feet away and splash/beg like crazy when anyone cooks more so then my dogs!

 

[derek_SR]

Haven’t used an auto feeder yet do the fish still beg for food whenever someone comes up to the tank still? My fish have eyes on my kitchen and observe me prepping their food which is only 5 feet away and splash/beg like crazy when anyone cooks more so then my dogs!

My fish are shameless pigs. I can't even take pictures of corals through the side glass cause the fish are all swarming up in my face. I literally have to shoo them away with my hands when reaching into the tank to move stuff around too. I could probably just pluck my CBB out of the water between two fingers he's so tame and wants to be so near my hands.

 

[BAYMAC]

@BAYMAC can probably speak to it more but my understanding is that tdo pellets are pretty nutrient dense compared to freeze dried whole shrimp (and especially frozen) so you really don't need to feed as much volume to volume.

100% spot on. Same goers for pretty much all pellets, and dry coral feeds.

 

[richiev]

What number setting on the plank does everyone use?

I feed pellet and flake in mine and use the #3 opening, because that size is slightly larger than the largest pellets I'm using. When I clean my plank, there is always nasty gunk buildup inside the 3d printed funnel/hole/pump outlet. I'm wondering if I should use the biggest opening to help prevent food from getting clogged and extend the time between cleanings?

Wait, your plank has different openings? I thought all the planks are just augers that dump out whatever. I did buy mine second hand though.

Are you referring to the mixing pump level or is there actually some sort of setting I'm unaware of?

 

[derek_SR]

Wait, your plank has different openings? I thought all the planks are just augers that dump out whatever. I did buy mine second hand though.

Are you referring to the mixing pump level or is there actually some sort of setting I'm unaware of?

I asked this question in the other plank thread (thanks Tim for splitting threads and making this convo confusing AF lol), they are referring to the setting on the pump output that sits in the tube underwater. I removed mine completely to run it wide open.

 

[CaseyP]

I may have to strongly consider picking one up.

For anyone considering one, sign up for email notifications for when factory seconds become available and save $43. These are new and mine is nearly flawless other than a visible seam from the 3d printing. I was able to get one within a month of signing up for notifications and there was only one so you have to act fast.

The Plank Automatic Feeder - FACTORY 2nd

The Plank auto feeder represents years of our efforts to find and build a device that both serves the needs of our most delicate and selective aquarium inhabitants as well as our ability to realistically attend to their well-being. Many reef fish and most corals have evolved to continuously eat...

www.avastmarine.com

 

[JVU]

Wait, your plank has different openings? I thought all the planks are just augers that dump out whatever. I did buy mine second hand though.

Are you referring to the mixing pump level or is there actually some sort of setting I'm unaware of?

They have changed the design some since launch. Currently it’s a plastic disc that covers the bottom of the mixing tube, just below the mixing pump. It swivels to let different amount of water flow through the mixing chamber. The more open, the more aggressive the mixing and more quick outflow. The more closed, the longer the dwell time in the mixing tube before exiting.

 

[dangalang]

Wait, your plank has different openings? I thought all the planks are just augers that dump out whatever. I did buy mine second hand though.

Are you referring to the mixing pump level or is there actually some sort of setting I'm unaware of?

Mixing pump flow control, sounds like you and Derek don't use:

 

[JVU]

For anyone considering one, sign up for email notifications for when factory seconds become available and save $43. These are new and mine is nearly flawless other than a visible seam from the 3d printing. I was able to get one within a month of signing up for notifications and there was only one so you have to act fast.

The Plank Automatic Feeder - FACTORY 2nd

The Plank auto feeder represents years of our efforts to find and build a device that both serves the needs of our most delicate and selective aquarium inhabitants as well as our ability to realistically attend to their well-being. Many reef fish and most corals have evolved to continuously eat...

www.avastmarine.com

If you aren’t in a rush, they sometimes go on sale. I bought mine at 25% off on consecutive Black Friday’s, which is more than the savings above.

 

[derek_SR]

Mixing pump flow control, sounds like you and Derek don't use:

View attachment 69128View attachment 69129View attachment 69130

Ah this is a newer version! My pump came with a little twisty plastic thing - used for the same purpose. You'd turn it to set the flow rate. But it was cheap and flimsy and didn't really make sense to me so I tossed it. The 3d printed piece in my version is just a big open hole...which I'm fine with.o

I would take a picture of mine but it's too embarrassing...I need to clean it.

 

[JVU]

I like the pump outflow deflector in the new tube piece since it gets the water swirling more than the pump alone would. I wonder if the bottom twisty piece comes off (without breaking), that would give you the deflector without the hole size limiter.

 

[JVU]

It would be nice if the mixing pump intake was screened or something. Several times I’ve had a snail or floating debris get stuck in it and stop the mixing. For that reason I have the mixing pump turn off for an hour each night to let whatever is there crawl or float away.

 

[derek_SR]

It would be nice if the mixing pump intake was screened or something. Several times I’ve had a snail or floating debris get stuck in it and stop the mixing. For that reason I have the mixing pump turn off for an hour each night to let whatever is there crawl or float away.

I need to step up my plank game. These are all good suggestions.