Super pro ultimate spot feeder!

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by ingtar_shinowa, Oct 14, 2010.

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  1. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    So for a few months I have been trying to find a way for pinpoint feeding of my corals. The problem for me is that I hate putting my hands in my tank. I scrub down for a few minutes before I do, then my hands smell of fish afterwords. Plus turkey basters leak a bunch of food into the tank, and for me, that's GHA food at that point.
    There are a few feeders on the market, for instance the SeaSquirt: [​IMG]
    This little guy is kinda cool, but at 21" most bottom type corals i'm still gettting my hand wet with a 55 gallon and thats not ok with me. Also, thorough testing a 'matured' SeaSquirt, it's not all that air tight at the extension piece and feeds GHA like a baster.
    So in my mind, I thought, "Get a piece of 1/8" hard airline tubing, a 3" length of vinyl 1/8" airline tubing, and a baby doing syringe from the drug store." It actually worked, unlike alot of my 'ideas.'
    Heat the vinyl buying and it slides up the nub on the syringe and the hard airline tubing and makes a good seal. When i feed, i prepare my mixture (mysis, chopped goodies, dried mixing like Reefcleaner's filter feeders, and tank water with vitamins and AA additives) pull back the plunger then guide my 3'-4' hard line tube to pinpoint targeting for chalice mouths, LPS heads, for SPS colonies.
    First picture is on top of my 48" T5 fixture:
    [​IMG]
    Next pixture the working parts:
    [​IMG]
    The vinyl tube allows for flexibility between the plunger and the rod so you can hit some hard to reach places. The only downside is for larger food particulates, but for that you can use larger tubes and syringes.
    Like i said before i feed all types of Euphyllia and can target the mouths easier, acans, palythoa and zoanithids, trumpet, micromussa, blastomussa, acropora, montipora, Seriatopora, and all types of chalices. The bonus is after using this for a couple feedings, my chalices are displaying feeding responses (I saw the tenticles for the first time ever!) almost constantly. My SPS are already showing better PE than with 'basing' or broadcast feeding, and I am more confident that my nutrient levels will stay low.
    Best part: costs a little under $10 and 5 minutes to build!
    Thank for reading and I hope this helps you all with your reefs!
     
    3 people like this.
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  3. M-Ocean Man

    M-Ocean Man Flame Angel

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    +1 for the awesome DIY!!!

    I would never buy one of those "Sea Squirts" with my own money - but since I get to spend the boss' I bought one and they are great - but they, I am sure, serve the SAME exact function as yours - if anything yours might be better as you do not have to worry about the bulb on the baster pulling unwanted water in, or prematurely spitting food out.

    Nice job!!!!
     
  4. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    Thanks M-Ocean Man. That was my problem with them to, not controlling the in and out. With the plunger you dont have that problem. Also, the extension mechanism is not air tight after a few months since the rubber seals brake down and then the food leaks into the water column.
    This piece of equipment costs 10 dollars max and the Kent Sea Squirt costs 15-20 dollars. To replace the syringe on my feeder cost 2-5 dollars depending on the quality you want.
     
  5. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Vulture reporting in. :party-smi

    Nice I will be making one of my own. Thanks.
     
  6. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

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    Love it. I have a sea squirt. Had the same issue with it you described. Was more of a broadcast feeder.


    I then made the same thing! I took an old unused syringe from one of the zillion old test kits and the tubing. Works like a champ!

    +K for sharing pics of it
     
  7. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    Nice! Its good to know a couple of the reefers on this site i respect so much like my idea! I'm not sharing this with other forums lol ;D
     
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  9. blackraven1425

    blackraven1425 Giant Squid

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    Hey, this looks awesome! I just wanna know, where'd you get the hard airline tubing?
     
  10. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    Petsmart. Any LFS should have some too!
     
  11. blackraven1425

    blackraven1425 Giant Squid

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    Hah, I've never seen it. I guess it's because I wasn't looking lol.
     
  12. Claic Yuzolt

    Claic Yuzolt Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Just went to Petco and they didn't have it. Maybe Lowes? Anyone know?