FAQ’S
Question: How long have you been in business?
Answer: Make Sense Technologies was formed 2 ½ years ago. Our goal was and is to provide new and unique products to the sporting would that actually “Make Sense To You”. We are committed to provide our customers useful, quality products extensively field tested, and provide them on time to our customers with a full warranty. The Make Sense Technology staff are committed outdoors people who have seen a need for the products they have developed and have carried out their mission to develop, manufacture and distribute the products while providing the highest quality level.
Question: I try to get to my pond every day to feed the fish. How can Stock A Dock help me?
Answer: That is one of the primary design features of Stock A Dock. You don’t have to be there everyday to feed your fish. Just fill Stock A Dock up and walk away. The fish will be there whenever you get back.
Question: How does Stock A Dock work?
Answer: Stock A Dock is an automatic fish feeding system that allows you to be able to supplement the feeding of fish with a nutritious fish chow thereby attracting more fish to your dock, pier or shoreline. Studies have shown that feeding fish a supplemental diet increases the health of the fishery as well as growing the fish much faster than just their normal diet.
Simply, Stock A Dock is designed to automatically disperse food to the fish two times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Just fill the hopper with approximately 50 pounds of fish chow, set the Ultra II timer for how long you want it to feed. Stock A Dock will then automatically feed approximately one hour after sunrise and a hour and a half before sunset. If you would like to feed the fish at other times, we have incorporated a manual override button that allows feeding at any time you desire. If you use the manual override button, simply reset the duration of the feeding cycle (amount of seconds you want it to feed) and Stock A Dock resumes it’s previously programmed feeding schedule.
Question: Tell me more about why I should buy Stock A Dock
Answer: The Stock A Dock fish feeding system is truly innovative and unique. Two years of extensive research and development based on consumer input and extensive field testing has established Stock A Dock as a premier feeder. Completely self contained, lightweight and portable as well as easily assembled and installed makes it truly unique among the fish feeding industry.
Question: How long can I set Stock A Dock to feed?
Answer: Stock A Dock is programmed to feed from one second up to 90 seconds.
Question: How much fish chow should I feed at one time?
Answer: The amount of fish chow you feed really depends on the amount of fish you have around your dock, pier or shoreline. When you first set up Stock A Dock it may take a few days or a week to “train” the fish to come to Stock A Dock. A five second setting may be appropriate starting out. The fish WILL come to Stock A Dock! Research has shown that you do not want to put out more fish chow than the fish will eat in about 5-10 minutes. More than that and the fish chow could be wasted and contaminate the bottom of the lake or pond.
Question: Why is Stock A Dock programmed to go off in the mornings and evenings?
Answer: Research has shown that these times are the best times to nutritionally feed the fish. Fish growth and health are more enhanced by feeding at these times. The manual over ride button does however allow for feeding at other times if you desire.
Question: How do I set the time for feeding the fish?
Answer: It’s very simple! Just depress the button on the side of the Ultra II timer for the amount of time you want to feed then release it. Example, if you want to feed for 10 seconds, just depresses the button for 10 seconds, release it, and you are set to feed.
Question: What makes it go off?? How does it know when to feed?
Answer: We have designed a circuit board, which is located inside of the Ultra II timer unit, which is activated by a photo cell (mounted on the outside of the Ultra II timer) that automatically recognizes the time to feed. Upon initial set up of Stock A Dock, it will take the circuit board approximately 24-48 hours to gain its “memory”. After it has gained its memory, it will feed automatically at the feeding duration times you have set for it.
Question: Will lightening flashes, headlights, etc., trigger the feeding cycle?
Answer: No! We have incorporated a unique feature in our circuit board design that eliminates false triggering such as lighting, headlights, flashlights, etc. When the Ultra II Timer senses daylight, it is programmed to wait five minutes before it feeds to assure it is not a false trigger.
Question: How long will the fish chow last after I fill it?
Answer: That depends on two factors, the type of fish chow you are feeding and the duration of the feeding cycle you have programmed. The smaller the fish chow the faster it will feed. Using a standard fish game chow and feeding for a 10 second cycle, Stock A Dock will feed for approximately a week to a week and a half without refilling.
Question: What kind of fish will it attract?
Answer: Stock A Dock provides access to many different species of fish. Initially, Stock A Dock will attract smaller bait fish (bluegills,Crappy, minnows, etc., depending on the type of quality fish chow you choose. The smaller bait fish actually attract the larger predator fish. We have seen on many occasions the larger predator fish (Bass, Pike, etc., actually living under the docks and structures adjacent to the feeder after just a short time feeding after activating the Stock A Dock feeder.
Question: What happens if I get the Stock A Dock feeder and no fish arrive?
Answer: Well we certainly can’t guarantee that Stock A Dock will work in a lake or pond with no fish, but put some in and it will!! Actually, it can sometimes take a week or so to “train” your fish, and yes fish can be trained. We have been doing it for over 15 years in various lakes and ponds. Fish WILL respond to Stock A Dock, its proven, especially when you use a quality fish chow.
Question: I have always fed the fish around my dock stale bread, crackers, or whatever is available. Why should I feed a quality fish chow?
Answer: There is no question that fish will eat crackers, etc. Our research shows that feeding these types of items actually isn’t good for the fish. Sometimes the fish will actually develop white blotchy spots on them which are an indicator that this type of food isn’t good for them nutritionally. Feeding a quality fish chow assures a healthy fishery as well as a much more rapid growth cycle for the fish.
Question: I see other fish feeders on the market, what makes Stock A Dock better than the others?
Answer: 1) Stock A Dock incorporates features that no other feeder on the market has today. Stock A Dock is designed to be aesthetically pleasing both in design and color if you are placing the feeder on your dock, pier or shoreline. 2) Additionally, our unique Ultra II feeder unit dispenses in one direction, eliminating food on the dock or shoreline, discouraging varmints, ducks, geese, etc. 3)Stock A Dock can be mounted on the outside of the dock thereby preserving valuable dock space. Stock A Dock’s quality of performance and workmanship is the hallmark of our product. 4) Stock A Dock’s unique mounting system allows the feeder to be mounted to a dock post, a post on shore or even a wooden post.
Question: How much should I feed the fish?
Answer: We recommend not feeding more fish chow than your fish will eat in 5 to 10 minutes. Excess feeding will allow the food to settle on the bottom and lose its nutritional quality. You may have to adjust the cycle time of you feeding duration as more fish arrive over a period of time.
Question: Is it legal to feed fish?
Answer: In our research we have not found any regulations prohibiting recreational feeding of fish. It is always prudent to check local regulations, but we have not found any that prohibit feeding.
Question: What kind of batteries should I use?
Answer: We strongly recommend using quality 6-volt alkaline batteries. They give much better performance than regular batteries. Performance is enhanced and the battery life is much longer using alkaline batteries.
Question: How much does it weigh?
Answer: Stock A Dock in the box with all the mounting brackets, nuts, bolts, etc., weighs approximately 15 pounds. Stock A Dock and lower unit without batteries weighs approximately 8 pounds. Batteries weigh about a pound a piece.
What colors does it come in?
Answer: Stock A Dock comes in one color, beige. It is aesthetically pleasing and does not detract from the shoreline, dock or pier. Our Ultra II Wildlife feeder is green and could be substituted as a fish feeder if a person wanted that color.
Question: Where is Stock A Dock manufactured?
Answer: All manufacturing and distribution is done in the United States. All component parts are made from United States companies. Understanding the volatility of the world market today, we have gone to great lengths to assure our product is made in the United States.
Question: What kind of fish food do you recommend?
Answer: We recommend using one of the Purina Fish Chows. Stock A Dock has been design to feed multiple types of fish chow and Purina carries a variety of chow for specific uses based on customer desire.
Question: Can you use different sizes of food in Stock A Dock?
Answer: Yes!! We have designed the Ultra II timer to accept all types of fish chow from very small to very large. This sets us apart from most other timer units in addition to our directional feeding design.
Question: What about all this “clogging” I keep hearing about with most feeders?
Answer: Clogging of food is a common complaint with most feeders. We designed our Ultra II timer to virtually eliminate clogging. The Ultra II timer is powered by a 10,000 rpm powerful workhorse Johnson motor. In addition we have incorporated a rotating “auger” attached to the motor shaft that vibrates and moves the food while the motor is cycling. Obviously, wet fish chow can create a problem for any feeder and Stock A Dock is no exception. Splashing my boats or heavy waves or heavy blowing winds while raining allowing water to enter the front of the Ultra II timer can moisten or get the fish chow wet and some clogging could be experienced. No rain or moisture can come in from the top of the unit however. If this should occur, you simply move the “impeller” (the spinner unit that disperses the food) and remove the moist or wet fish chow, then depress the override button on the side of the Ultra II timer and let it cycle until the wet fish chow is eliminated.
Question: I see the Ultra II timer is metal, will it rust?
Answer: No. The Ultra II timer is constructed of aluminum and will not rust.
Question: Is Stock A Dock varmint proof?
Answer: We have gone to great lengths in our design of Stock A Dock to make it virtually varmint proof. The Ultra II timer unit is constructed of powder coated Aluminum and the opening where the food is dispensed is small enough to keep varmints out of the unit. The upper unit is constructed of heavy duty plastic and a tough snap on lid. The pole mounting system makes it extremely difficult for varmints to access the feeder as well.
Question: Is Stock A Dock weather proof?
Answer: Yes! The upper unit is constructed of heavy duty plastic with a snap on lid that diverts rain, etc., from entering the upper unit. Additionally, a “drip edge” has been incorporated where the upper unit attaches to the lower unit to eliminate the chance of rain, etc., from entering the lower unit. The Ultra II timer is constructed of heavy duty aluminum and sealed from the elements. In addition, we have put a special coating of the Ultra II circuit board to prevent it from being affected by moisture, etc.
Question: Can food get into the Ultra II timer unit (circuit board, motor, etc.)
Answer: No. We have designed the Ultra II timer so that no food can get into the area that houses the motor, circuit board, etc.
Question: What kind of Warranty does Stock A Dock carry?
Answer: We want you to be completely satisfied with our product. For a period of one year from the date of purchase there is a 100% warranty. If it stops working we will replace it or repair it free of charge. Abuse, accidental, alteration or collateral loss and damage are not covered under the warranty. After the one full year warranty period the product carries a limited lifetime warranty. No matter what the problem, you may send it back to us postage paid along with $30.00 and we will repair or replace.
Question: Is Stock A Dock water proof?
Answer: No. We recommend mounting Stock A Dock at least 2 ½ feet above the water line to avoid water entering the Ultra II timer. The Ultra II timer is moisture resistant but not water proof.
Questions: How long do the batteries last?
Answer: We strongly recommend using good alkaline batteries. The batteries under normal use should last up to six months. Very cold weather can effect the life of the batteries. If Stock a Dock is used in cold weather, a third battery can be used to replace one of the batteries while it warms back up and gains its charge back.
Question: Do I need to purchase anything for assembly or mounting of Stock A Dock?
Answer: The only things you need to purchase are the batteries you choose to use. We include all mounting brackets and hardware for mounting either on a metal or wooden post.
Question: How long does it take to assemble Stock A Dock?
Answer: The instructions are very easy to follow. The only assembly required is mounting the Ultra II timer to the upper unit, and putting the batteries in the timer unit.
Once Stock A Dock is assembled the only thing left is to drill the holes for the mounting bracket and mounting on the post of your choice. Normal assembly and mounting should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Question: I am afraid after I start feeding the fish, every body will be fishing around my dock, pier or shore.
Answer: Well there is no doubt that fish will certainly be attracted to Stock A Dock! We have field tested Stock A Dock for 2 years, and have never had a shortage of fish at the Stock A Dock.
Question: I am concerned about someone stealing it from my dock.
Answer: Well we would certainly hope that would not happen. Most items of any value can be insured for replacement value do to vandalism or theft.
Question: How long will it take from the time I order one until I receive it?
Answer: Our goal is to ship to you the next day after we receive your order if it is placed before noon (est).
Question: What ways can I contact you?
Answer: We have a toll free number (877) 564-4220, a local number (231) 972-4454, a fax (231) 972-3011, email: info@makesensetechnologies.com and our website www.makesensetechnologies.com
Question: Where were the pictures taken in your brochure/website?
Answer: All the pictures were taken locally here in Canadian Lakes, Michigan. Actually, the people in the pictures are Make Sense Technologies staff and family. We take a very personal interest in all of our products.
©2004 Make Sense Technologies, Inc.