Eheim 3581 "Feed-Air" Digital Automatic Feeder

Our favorite auto-feeder because it's so straightforward and easy to use. Program up to 4 daily feeding cycles of flake food or granules, choosing between single portion, double portion with 1-minute interval, or manual override. All your programmed choices are presented on an easy-read LCD screen. Features a transparent reservoir for "at-a-glance" monitoring of food level and integrated ventilator to prevent moisture from spoiling food or clogging the unit. Two AA batteries included; low battery indicator on cover. Measures 5-1/4" x 2-1/4" x 2-1/2".

Please click on "More Information" for installation instructions.

Closing the Housing Cover
Insert the upper edge of the Drive Unit and pivot downwards until the lock engages.

Changing Batteries
If the symbol "LO" appears on the Display, it means that the batteries are almost empty. The feeding procedure will still be carried out, but the batteries should be replaced. After about three days, the entire Display will blink and the device will shut off automatically in order to prevent the Feed Container from stopping in a downward position.

Programming
The "Feed Mode" offers 3 options, which are shown in the upper line of the Display, to the right of the Feed Digits (1-4).
No Arrow = The Time is stored but no feeding occurs.
1 Arrow = The Feed Container rotates once.
2 Arrows = The Feed Container rotates twice with a 1 minute interval. This extends the time interval for feeding without engaging additional feeding times.

General Programming Rules:
MODE switches initially between the current time and the feeding times (1 to 4 consecutively). The current time is displayed whenever you see the blinking arrows. The feeding times are differentiated by digits (1-4) appearing on the upper section of the Display.

SET allows the displayed times to be changed. With MODE, the displayed time can be changed between Hours and Minutes, as well as the Feeding Mode. The Time and Feeding Mode can be set to a higher number with the "+" Button.

SET stores the programmed time and scrolls to the next feeding time to be programmed.

Example: After the batteries have been inserted, the Time begins at "00:00" and the Arrows will blink at one second intervals.

Setting the Current Time:
Press SET > "Hours" will blink and the desired number can be entered with the "+" Button.
Then press MODE > "Minutes" will blink and the desired number can be entered with the "+" Button.
Finally, press SET > Current time has now been entered.

Programming Feeding Time 1:
Press MODE > Feeding Time 1 is displayed as "00:00" with the digit "1" on the upper section of the LCD.
Then press SET > "Hours" will blink and the desired number can be entered with the "+" Button.
Then press MODE > "Minutes" will blink and the desired number can be entered with the "+" Button.
Then press MODE again > The Digit "1" will blink. Press the "+" Button once for a single ration and press the "+" Button twice for a double ration.
Finally, press SET > Feeding Time 1 has now been entered. The next feeding time will be displayed and it can be programmed in the same manner.

Manual Operation
For feeding outside the programmed times, press the "EHEIM" Manual Feeding Button to manually trigger the rotation of the Food Container.

Filling
Take out the Food Container and remove the cover on the back. Clean the Drum, making sure it is dry before filling it with food. Place the cover back on and insert the Drum unit onto the Axis. The Automatic Feeder is recommended for dry fish foods such as flake food and granules. DO NOT use for live or freeze dried foods.

Feeding Amount
Adjust the Sliding Cover on the Food Container to control the amount of food dispensed. For larger amounts, program the Feeder for double portion.

Positioning
Place the Automatic Feeder so the food can fall freely into the aquarium. Be sure not to cover the air-intake opening.

Scott C
Uniontown, OH

This is the one your looking for! I purchased the Eheim 3581 along with others of a compairable price though time. I travel for a living and love my fish. I cannot always rely on my wife or son to feed all of my fish when I am gone. Most of the ones available here have multiple feeding times, digital displays and other bells and whistles. The things that set this one apart from the others I have purchased is its size and the counter weight inside the housing. This is a very compact unit and mounts very easily just about anywhere. The weight helps to keep it in place and from falling in the tank. I have several tanks with different hood styles. This one works with them all. The feeding drum spins freely where ever you put it. There are no adjustment knobs to get in the way. I plan to purchase more of this item to feed the other tanks I have!

Joe F
Grand Rapids, MI

I have had this feeder for about two years now and it never misses a feeding. I had an accident while adding a powerhead to my aquarium and the feeder fell into the water. I thought it was finished but after letting it dry out for two days, it is back in operation and working perfectly! I would recomend this feeder to everyone!!!

Bruce H
Carpentersville, IL

This may be the best automatic feeder available on the market. I recently purchase one to replace an older model that died. The ability to select up to 4 feeding times a day and to select either a single spin or a double spin of the drum offers great flexibility in feeding. Even the internal drying fan that operates when the feeder is dropping food is indicative of the quality of this product. All in all a very effective unit for the price. I am getting ready to order 2 more to replace the feeders on my other tanks.

Ryan
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

I used to try not to use automatic feeders because you never knew when they were going to go off, drop the wrong amount or dampen the food. Eheim has taken all that into account with this little feeder. I've been using them in harsh salt water environments for supplemental feeding with great success. They keep my food dry and dump it whenever I choose, not to mention, they last forever!