Welcome to AA... im not a sw guy, yet, but i had the same question and i had 3 different lfs guys tell me that eheim made the best automatic feeders... im getting ready to get one, petco online has the 3581 for like $50 and its programmable for different intervals and can also do a "snack" just by pushing a button... im sure somebody here has alot more experience with them, just saw you hadnt had any replies... mainly just wanted to welcome you here...