Buying an automatic turtle feeder will help you keep a regular rhythm for your turtle’s feeding schedule. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 best automatic turtle feeders on the market.
We’ll also provide a concise, easy-to-use buying guide to help you pick the right automatic turtle feeder for your pet turtle.
Topics we will cover for turtle feeders include reliability, capacity, ventalation, ease of use, slots, food types, size and power.
If you’re in a hurry the below chart highlights our top picks. Our favorite and one of the best ones out of all is the Eheim Turtle Feeder.
Best Automatic Turtle Feeders Comparison Table
| Product | Rating |
| 1. EHEIM Automatic Turtle Feeder | 4.5 out of 5 |
| 2. Exo Terra Automatic Turtle Feeder | 4.25 out of 5 |
| 3. Fish Mate Auto Feeder | 4 out of 5 |
| 4. Petbank Automatic Feeder | 4 out of 5 |
| 5. ZooMed Turtlematic Feeder | 4.25 out of 5 |
Why do I need an Automatic Turtle Feeder?
There are a few reasons why an automatic turtle feeder can come in handy. Ensuring that your turtle gets a consistent feeding schedule is incredibly important to the health of your pet. Automatic feeders can help streamline this process, especially if you lead a busy lifestyle.
Having an automatic feeder for your turtle tank is also useful if you have to spend time away from your pet. You might have to go on business trips, or you might go on vacation for a few days. Making use of an automatic feeder in these instances helps maintain a healthy feeding routine for your turtle. It also allows you to avoid relying on someone to look in on your turtle while you’re gone.
If you are taking care of hatchlings or juvenile turtles, an automatic feeder can be a real boon. Younger turtles need to eat much more regularly than an adult turtle. Using an automatic feeder can help provide the right amount of turtle food necessary to help your young turtles grow without the need to constantly be feeding them yourself.
On the other end of the scale, if your turtle is suffering from overeating and weight issues, then having an automatic feeder for your turtle tank is a good idea. Using an automatic feeder helps you to control the portion sizes that your turtle has access to, which helps to control its weight. Think of it as a turtle diet device!
Best Automatic Turtle Feeders
1. Eheim Everyday Fish Feeder Programmable Automatic Food Dispenser
The EHEIM Automatic Food Dispenser is the perfect addition to any turtle tank owner’s arsenal, especially if you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-use automatic feeder. This compact feeder has a feeding chamber that’s mainly designed for flake food, making it a great choice for aquatic pet turtles who prefer this type of food.
With easy-to-understand programming, you can quickly set up feeding times and amounts of food, ensuring that your turtles get the right amount of nutrition throughout the day. The feeder is even equipped with an additional program for double feeding, making it ideal for young or growing turtles that require more frequent meals.
The actively aerated food chamber is designed to prevent moisture buildup and keep the quality food fresh and appetizing, while the capacity of approximately 100 ml ensures that you won’t have to refill it frequently. Plus, if you want to give your turtles a snack outside of their regular feeding times, you can do so with just the touch of a button!
The function keys are splash-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about accidental spills or splashes from your turtles. And if the feeder’s batteries are running low, a warning system will quickly indicate that it’s time for a replacement.
Best of all, the EHEIM Automatic Food Dispenser comes with a bracket for mounting on an open-top aquarium or terrarium, making it an ideal choice for turtle owners who want to keep their tanks clean and organized. With this feeder, you can rest easy knowing that your turtles are getting the proper amount of turtle food at the right times, even when you’re away from home.
2. Exo Terra Automatic Turtle Feeder
Next up on our list of the best automatic turtle feeders is the Exo Terra Automatic Turtle Feeder. Designed specifically for pet turtles, this programmable feeding unit is a great choice for those who want to ensure their pets are well-fed even when they’re away.
Featuring an extra large turtle pellet chamber with a high holding capacity of 200 mL/6.7 fl.oz., this feeder allows you to feed your turtles over a significant period of time, reducing the risk of overfeeding and avoiding pollution of the terrarium water by leftover turtle pellets. The clear cap on the pellet chamber also allows for easy monitoring of the available pellets.
With the ability to be programmed to feed up to 4 times per day and adjust pellet portions and feeding times depending on the size or quantity of turtles, this feeder ensures your pets are getting the right amount of food at the right time. It can even accommodate most round and stick pellets, making it a versatile choice for pet owners.
Battery operated (uses two AA batteries, not included), the Exo Terra Automatic Turtle Feeder is easy to use and fits Exo Terra Turtle Terrariums. Whether you’re going on vacation or just need a little help with feeding your pets, this feeder has got you covered. And when used with Exo Terra Aquatic Turtle Pellets, it allows you to offer your turtles a complete diet, even during longer periods of absence.
3. Fish Mate F14 Aquarium Feeder
Ranked third on the list of best turtle feeders is the Fish Mate F14 Aquarium Automatic Feeder, which is perfect for those who want to enjoy their vacation without worrying about their turtles. This feeder can dispense up to 14 days’ worth of food, allowing you to relax for an extended period.
You can mount the Fish Mate F14 in three different ways – on the aquarium hood, on a condensation tray, or on the edge of the tank. It is incredibly easy to use and dispenses all dry foods using a timer, with a reliable and accurate quartz timer ensuring your turtles are fed at the right time.
The feeder serves up to 14 individual meals while you are away, and the food is released slowly, keeping your fish active and reducing the risk of overfeeding. The battery condition indicator lets you know when it’s time to replace the 1 x AA / LR6 battery, and it can provide from 1 to 4 meals per day.
The Fish Mate F14 Feeder is suitable for all types of turtle foods thanks to it’s unique feeder slot. Food types include flakes, reptomin sticks and even pellets. This makes it a versatile and reliable automatic feeder for any aquarium since it handles so many different types of food. If you’re looking for the perfect feeder for your turtles while you’re away, the Fish Mate F14 is an excellent choice.
4. Petbank Automatic Fish Feeder
The Petbank Automatic Feeder is perfect for turtle owners who want to make sure their turtles are fed regularly and consistently, whether they are at home or away.
With a large-capacity feed bucket of 200ml, it’s suitable for a variety of feed, such as granules and powders.
This feeder is designed to fit up to a 150 gallon tank, making it perfect for feeding goldfish and turtles on weekends or holidays. You can set up to 4 feedings a day, feeding multiple times (1-3) each time. And if you want to feed your pets manually, that’s easy too!
Thanks to its LCD display it’s easy to see what’s going on too, especially with its hassle free buttons that were designed specifically for ease of use.
The Petbank Automatic Feeder is powered by a large-capacity battery that can be charged and discharged up to 800 times. According to the number of feedings set, it can be used for 3-6 months on a single charge. And with its USB charging cable, it’s suitable for various charging scenarios, making it an environmentally friendly and convenient option.
5. TurtleMatic Feeder by ZooMed
Keep your turtle well-fed and happy with the Zoo Med Turtlematic Feeder. This automatic feeder allows you to easily establish a routine feeding schedule for your turtle, ensuring that they are always properly nourished. Whether you’re away on vacation or simply busy with work, this feeder can be programmed to automatically dispense food on a daily basis.
The feeder also features a 12-hour sleep function at night, which prevents waste and helps to ensure that your turtle isn’t overfed. Thanks to its universal installation clamp, it can be easily mounted anywhere on your tank and rotates 360 degrees for convenient placement.
The Turtlematic Feeder is designed to accommodate Zoo Med’s Aquatic Turtle Food bottles, which can be screwed directly onto the feeder top to increase capacity. Plus it has an integrated ventilation system, with a side-mounted port that you can attach a pump to, in order to provide positive pressure to the feeding chamber, reducing humidity and prolonging freshness.
Powered by three included AA batteries, this feeder is a convenient and reliable option for pet turtle owners. Keep your turtle well-fed and healthy with the Zoo Med Turtlematic Feeder.
How to choose the best automatic turtle feeder?
When purchasing an automatic feeder for your turtle tank, there are a few things you should consider. You should also look out for specific features to make sure that you’re getting a device that can meet your turtle’s needs.
Here’s our clear and concise buying guide to help you choose the best automatic feeder for your turtle tank.
Reliability
One of the biggest issues with automatic turtle feeders is that they can malfunction. And when you’re away from your turtle and trusting the feeder to work properly, that can be a huge issue. Not having enough food available if you’re away for long periods can be dangerous for your turtle.
Automatic turtle feeders also have a reputation of sometimes releasing more food than is actually needed, which can contribute to weight issues in your turtle. Being able to trust that your feeder will consistently deliver exactly the proper amount of food is paramount.
Make sure to get a well-rated device from a good quality brand that has a proven track record of being reliable. Some of the most reliable picks with the best build quality on our list include the Eheim Everyday turtle feeder and the Exo Terra turtle feeder.
Capacity
An automatic turtle feeder is no good if you have to refill it every day or so. To fulfill its function properly, a feeder needs to have a large enough capacity to be able to be left working for several days at least. Most brands show their capacity in milliliters, and using this you can judge how long the feeder’s payload will last.
100 ml is a pretty good standard capacity for a turtle feeder, and most of the options on our list feature this capacity. However, some automatic feeders have an even larger capacity, such as the Exo Terra turtle feeder. This device has a whopping 200 ml capacity, making it one of the best choices if you need to spend long periods away from your turtle.
Ease of use
Having an automatic turtle feeder that is easy to set up and program is an essential thing to look for. If the device is too complicated, then you likely won’t be able to make it deliver the right amount of food for your turtle at the right time.
Most automatic feeders use a simple LCD screen and easy-to-use buttons to help make programming as quick and easy as possible. Make sure you thoroughly understand how to set up the turtle feeder before purchasing one. The LCD of the Eheim Everyday turtle feeder is one of the easiest ones to read.
As for affixing the feeder to your turtle tank, most have an adjustable clamp that allows you to mount the feeder on the edge of the tank. Some may also offer additional support in the form of a Velcro patch to stick your feeder to the side of the tank.
Make sure that the build quality of these components is up to the task. The last thing you want is your feeder falling into the water!
Ventilation
If turtle pellets sit in a feeder for too long, they may lose moisture and end up stale, leading to a bad experience for your pet. To mitigate this, make sure that your automatic feeder has a ventilation system or a fan, preferably both. This will ensure that the food is kept moist and appetizing for your turtle.
If the turtle feeder doesn’t include these within the design, make sure that it has the facility to attach an air pump to it. This can also help to keep your turtle’s grub from going stale. However, you may need to buy an air pump separately.
The Eheim Everyday turtle feeder is the best automatic turtle feeder that has a built-in ventilation system.
Feeding options and slots
Going hand in hand with capacity is the number of feeding slots available on the feeder. Not all turtle feeders work using slots, as most will have a drum system that takes care of the feeding. But for those that use a slot system, anything less than 10 compartments is going to be insufficient for your turtle. The Fish Mate F14 has 14 slots, making it a good pick.
The other thing to bear in mind is feeding options. The best automatic turtle feeders will allow for both automatic and manual feeding options. The vast majority of the time, you’ll be using the automatic settings and allocating feeding times remotely.
However, sometimes you may need or want to give your turtle an instant meal. Having a manual override button to instantly release some food can be a handy option to have.
Food types
If you’re planning on using an automatic turtle feeder, you’ll likely be using turtle pellets. The vast majority of automatic feeders will be suitable for holding pellets, but it is always best to double-check. Some feeders may be able to hold other foods such as fish flakes or krill sticks.
Size
Another thing to bear in mind when choosing an automatic turtle feeder is the size of the device itself. Most will be fairly compact, but some may be too small to insufficiently cover the needs of larger turtles or larger tanks. This is especially true if you have multiple turtles in one tank. On the flip-side, you also don’t want to get a turtle feeder that is too big for smaller turtle tanks.
Power
If you’re leaving your turtle for several days at a time, you have to be able to trust your turtle feeder. If the device runs out of charge while you’re away, that’s not good.
Most automatic turtle feeders run on battery power, such as standard AA or AAA batteries. You may be able to use rechargeable versions of these batteries to keep costs down.
The feeder should also be able to alert you when it’s running low on power. Most of the automatic turtle feeders on this list feature low battery warning systems that notify you when they’re approaching the end of their charge. Make sure that these alerts are easy to identify on your feeder to avoid confusion.
FAQ
Can you use a automatic fish feeder for turtles?
Yes, you can use an automatic fish feeder for your turtle tank. Eheim has a perfect on, but before buying one you should just check that the size is large enough to hold the type of food you plan on feeding your turtles.
Other factors to check are battery life, their mounting method and if it is flexable, as well as their power.
Are automatic turtle feeders worth it?
Automatic feeders are absolutely worth the small investment. They ensure that your pet turtle is fed on time every day. You never have to worry if you get stuck out late in traffic, at work, or if you want to stay out late with friends.
How do you feed your turtle on vacation?
An automatic turtle feeder is the best way to feed your pet turtle while you are on vacation. It takes away the need to hire someone, keeps the quantity consistent, and doesn’t mess up their schedule.
Final Verdict
That wraps up our list of the best automatic feeders for turtle tanks! We’ve looked at a range of automatic feeders that can handle different food types and boast a variety of useful features, from feeders with easy-to-use displays like the Eheim Everyday turtle feeder.
We’ve also touched on high-capacity devices like the Exo Terra turtle feeder, which is one of the best picks if your going on vacation and you have to spend a lot of time away from your turtle.
Not every turtle feeder is going to meet the specific needs of your setup, so we also provided a buyer’s guide to help you pick the best automatic feeder for your turtle tank.
So whether you’re heading out on a business trip or enjoying a family vacation, rest assured that your turtle will eat like a king while you’re away!