DIY Automatic Fish Feeder is outstandingly simple, rewarding

Look, that USB-powered fish tank was fine during your teenage years of irresponsibility, but it's really about time you started acting your age. Of course, we're not suggesting you actually work harder -- just smarter, is all. The DIY Automatic Fish Feeder is an exceptionally cheap, easy and almost life-changing creation that will never, ever forget to keep your fishes well fed and well lit. By attaching a makeshift pill bottle dispenser to a timer, Baha Tanju was able to create an automatic feeder that barely requires any attention. We know fish have a way of forgetting everything they ever knew every three seconds or so, but they'll love you three seconds at a time for never leaving 'em hungry.

[Via Hack-A-Day]

[who? @ Jul 21st 2008 4:34AM]

I really needed this when I was five... A friend came over to my house and dumped an entire can of fish food into my tank. All my fish died. Sad, sad day.

[Joe Rodricks @ Jul 21st 2008 8:20AM]

First hand experience: Splashing from filter makes food wet (I know how small the opening is- water molecules are smaller). The wet food grows mold. The mold clogs the hole. Fish get no food and die. You spend the next 16 years of your life feeling guilty.

[Jim @ Jul 21st 2008 4:50AM]

Neat idea. I wish I had thought of this before my goldfish died a few years back. It really didn't have anything to do with not feeding him. Goldfish just don't last forever.

I'd like to see video of this. What's to keep all the food from dumping out when the pill bottle spends 6 hours upside down over the hole?

[GadgetTamer @ Jul 21st 2008 5:47AM]

Someway, somehow, i have managed to kepp one of my gold fish alive for 7 years. It's not a small fish anymore either.

[Jim @ Jul 21st 2008 4:53AM]

I think someone needs to come up with a Doc Brown-esque robot arm fish feeder as a follow up to this "exceptionally cheap, easy and almost life-changing creation".

[Anamorphy @ Jul 21st 2008 5:18AM]

That three second rule is a myth buddies, watch Mythbusters

[Stiv @ Jul 21st 2008 8:19AM]

Yeah fish have memories! I had three goldfish for years. They knew my (x)wife and I, but when friends came over to visit they would hide.

Completely unrelated - if we stuck our hands in the tank, they would snuggle next to them.

[El Taco @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:32AM]

lol, when you said 3 second rule, I was thinking you had 3 seconds after you dropped it to quickly pick it up and eat it, or it would get germs on it

[Tawakol @ Jul 21st 2008 6:39AM]

research has actually shown the fish can have a memory span of up to 6 months..the 3 seconds is just a myth..

[FishAreFriendsNotFood @ Jul 21st 2008 7:39AM]

This is very true, which makes keeping goldfish in a small bowl even more cruel. BTW Rome (Italy) banned goldfish bowls but I would like to see every country do the same.

Here is a very thoughtful and easy to read article on the topic.
http://www.bihartimes.com/Maneka/crueltytogoldfish.html

[acabtp @ Jul 21st 2008 8:45AM]

@FishAreFriendsNotFood-
That article is ridiculous. The author has either not been active in aquaria for 20+ years or simply misstates things to make her point. Either way, it presents incorrect information and should not be used as a fish-keeping reference for anyone, whether or not they think a goldfish bowl is cruel.

[iHoppipolla @ Jul 21st 2008 7:42AM]

The 3-second theory...

Perhaps a Finding Nemo reference:)?

[Samboini @ Jul 21st 2008 8:50AM]

If we are talking about his sexual performance, than maybe. "One dip Nemo".

[Tim Spence @ Jul 21st 2008 8:34AM]

Next, someone just needs to make a machine which will automatically keep the automatic feeder filled.

[Samboini @ Jul 21st 2008 8:51AM]

But then you'll need a feeder machine to keep that filled, etc. etc.

[slarity @ Jul 21st 2008 9:20AM]

I wish I could do this, but unfortunatly my cats like to sit on top of the fish tank, so I really cant have any holes on top, just the one on the back which they still like to put their paws in.

[Alex Kirby @ Jul 21st 2008 9:38AM]

If only there was a mod that changes the water too, I'd be fixed

[whowhatme @ Jul 21st 2008 11:29AM]

alright! takes the 'care' right out of petcare

[Kris @ Jul 21st 2008 1:05PM]

You can buy an auto feeder that looks better and holds more food for less than that light timer costs.

[Mile @ Jul 21st 2008 1:19PM]

You lie! Why oh why do you lie so?

[Soapy911 @ Jul 22nd 2008 7:13PM]

thats just lazy.

[El Taco @ Jul 23rd 2008 1:31AM]

next invention: automatic baby feeder. Baby cries, machine feeds it another cookie. Baby keeps crying, machine keeps feeding cookies. Eventually this will lead to the baby giving up.