Frozen Foods and Avoiding Waste

[shollis2814]

I just had to downsize from a 36 bowfront to a 20 long. I would typically overfeed a mixture of Marine Cuisine and Mysis with some reef chili mixed together in my old tank. I had algae problems as well as cyano problems, and I know a huge part was my feeding habits. I switched to pellets for my PJ Cardinal to help while I got nutrients under control.

This 20 long has my PJ Cardinal, a Rose Goby, and a Green-banded Goby--all carnivores. I am worried the two little guys can't handle the pellets, but I am also concerned about the smaller volume of my tank. I turned off the pumps last night and fed some reef chili and the gobies chased some of the larger pieces.

I want to give my fish the best diet I can, but 1 frozen cube of marine cuisine is way too much and I hate to waste it. I also had someone say that the 'juice' from defrosting the frozen food just adds more organic matter and can contribute to nitrates. Considering clams from my grocery store if I can find fresh ones.

I am not opposed to clams, etc. How do you feed carnivores in a nano tank?

On a side note, I am getting my first dosing pump next week and wondering if some mixed up reef chili could be dosed, or if it would clog the pump or go bad.

 

[Seminoles76]

I wouldn't run reef chilli on a doser... I wouldn't even feed reef chili at all if your concerned with excess nutrients.

Just find the balance between input and export....once you get that figured you will be fine long term.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I just had to downsize from a 36 bowfront to a 20 long. I would typically overfeed a mixture of Marine Cuisine and Mysis with some reef chili mixed together in my old tank. I had algae problems as well as cyano problems, and I know a huge part was my feeding habits. I switched to pellets for my PJ Cardinal to help while I got nutrients under control.

This 20 long has my PJ Cardinal, a Rose Goby, and a Green-banded Goby--all carnivores. I am worried the two little guys can't handle the pellets, but I am also concerned about the smaller volume of my tank. I turned off the pumps last night and fed some reef chili and the gobies chased some of the larger pieces.

I want to give my fish the best diet I can, but 1 frozen cube of marine cuisine is way too much and I hate to waste it. I also had someone say that the 'juice' from defrosting the frozen food just adds more organic matter and can contribute to nitrates. Considering clams from my grocery store if I can find fresh ones.

I am not opposed to clams, etc. How do you feed carnivores in a nano tank?

On a side note, I am getting my first dosing pump next week and wondering if some mixed up reef chili could be dosed, or if it would clog the pump or go bad.

I use a little sample cup, usually a full cube of mysis mixed with fish frenzy or reef fenzy, feed the amount I want and put the rest in the fridge covered for the next day. It keeps fine.

 

[shollis2814]

I wouldn't run reef chilli on a doser... I wouldn't even feed reef chili at all if your concerned with excess nutrients.

Just find the balance between input and export....once you get that figured you will be fine long term.

Thanks. To clarify, I don't have excess nutrients now. That was the old tank that I was not doing a good job with maintenance. New tank and new substrate has dropped me down to <5 ppm in nitrates.

 

[lapin]

With pellets/flakes and frozen food there is a tendency for some to overfeed. You can reduce this by feeding your fish live foods. White worms are easy to raise. Black worms are usually avail at the LFS. They keep for a week or so in the fridge. You can buy amphipods and copepods. They can live in your tank for a long time. You can even raise baby brine shrimp. If the frozen cubes are too large cut off a chunk and throw the rest back in the freezer.

 

[Seminoles76]

Gotcha. I would just stick to what your doing if your nutrients are where you want them.
If you don’t want to waste the frozen cubes.....look into getting a sheet of frozen where you break a piece off the size you want and then you have no waste. Rods or LRS are two great choices. Or PE Mysis.