Minnows and young trout, bass, catfish and bluegill commonly start with our Micro-Starter. Our 4512 feed provides 45% protein and 12% fat; choose the pellet size for the fish rather than switching to a lower-grade feed simply because it comes in a smaller pellet. Choose pellets small enough for your fish to eat comfortably, and include larger pellets as they grow. When using micro-starter in a Bill Dance feeder, mix it with larger pellets. Fine feed alone can flow through too quickly, like sand through an hourglass. We’ve found that combining sizes, including micro-starter and 3/16-inch pellets, works well and gives different-sized fish suitable feed in the same pond. Our Triton Grower Pack includes Micro-Starter, 1/8-inch Starter and 3/16-inch Performance feed. Many customers add these in alternating layers when filling their Bill Dance feeder. Adjust the feed-release setting and run a short test after changing your mix to check the amount dispensed.

Keep your Bill Dance feeder lid securely closed, and do not open the hopper during rain. Store extra fish food in a cool, dry location, protected from insects and rodents. Use older feed first, and avoid leaving unused feed in the hopper for long periods when you aren’t feeding.

The Bill Dance automatic feeder delivers fish-food pellets on a programmed schedule. We recommend pairing it with our high-protein Triton feed. Its high-velocity blower spreads pellets across the water; adjust the feed-release setting to suit your pellet size. The floating night-light feeder attracts insects of different sizes, adding a natural food source for minnows, fingerlings and larger insect-eating fish. It creates additional feeding opportunities without a pellet hopper to refill. Insect availability varies with season and weather. Use both to combine consistent pellet feeding with supplemental natural food. The floating feeder’s lights are replaceable, allowing you to maintain the system over time.

Position your Bill Dance feeder on the bank or a dock, with the discharge aimed toward open water. Keep the discharge path clear so pellets reach the pond rather than landing on the bank or getting caught in vegetation.

Choose a sunny location with the solar panel facing south, and leave easy access for refilling and maintenance. Secure the feeder to the ground using the provided stakes, or bolt it to the dock. Run a test feeding to check where the pellets land and adjust the direction as needed.

Start with a short feeding cycle on your Bill Dance feeder and watch your fish eat. Aim to dispense an amount they consume within 5–10 minutes. If feed remains after that window, reduce the amount at the next feeding. Run another test whenever you change pellet sizes or your feed mix, because different pellets can flow through the feeder at different rates. Adjust feeding as your fish grow and their appetite changes.

Pond size is a practical starting point. Here’s what our customers commonly choose:

• Ponds up to 1 acre: The H125 Bill Dance feeder is the usual choice.
• Ponds larger than 1 acre, including 1½–2-acre ponds: Customers generally choose the S300 high-capacity feeder for its larger feed storage and longer intervals between refills.
• Ponds of 5 acres or more: A common setup is two S300 feeders for every 5 acres. This creates multiple feeding locations and provides more total feed storage, reducing how often you need to refill.

Use these customer setups as a starting point, then adjust your feeding schedule to your fish’s appetite. Stocking density and the amount fed each day will affect how long each hopper lasts.

Both the Bill Dance H125 and S300 include a programmable timer, rechargeable battery, solar panel and adjustable base for bank or dock installation.

The included solar-and-battery system is highly reliable in our experience and lets you install the feeder without an electrical outlet at the pond. Position the panel where it receives unobstructed sunlight, secure the feeder according to its assembly instructions, and set your feeding schedule.

Prefer 110-volt power? We also stock power adapters in our warehouse for customers who have electricity available and prefer that option. Contact us directly to arrange the correct adapter for your feeder and confirm the installation requirements.

Check your feeder model’s approved pellet sizes and feed types before buying. Small pellets, large pellets and sinking feeds may dispense differently. Use the manufacturer’s safe test procedure to check the amount dispensed and adjust to the feeding plan.

Choose a pellet the fish can swallow readily and watch their feeding response. Smaller fish need smaller particles; a mixed-size population may need more than one pellet size. If pellets are repeatedly mouthed and rejected, check the size and feed choice before offering more.