How I DIY fish food.

[skinz78]

I have used lots of garlic but the problem with that is it really makes your tank stink. My skimmate was flat out gross, I mean grosser than normal.

 

[VegasRick]

After the last article on phosphates in food I modified my recipe to be mostly fresh shrimp, throw in a few oysters for flavor. A few drops of garlic juice and selcon. I lay it out flat and vacuum seal it in regular vaccum seel bags. Once frozen chunks can be broke off just like large packages you buy from stores

 

[Djtonton]

When you go to freeze you can use mini ice cube trays i would imagine those would work

Amazon.com: Casabella Silicone Mini Cube Ice Cube Tray, Set Of 2: Kitchen & Dining
or
Amazon.com: Cubette Mini Ice Cube Trays: Kitchen & Dining

 

[TrialandError]

I use garlic powder and powdered ginger in my mixes.

 

[Engloid]

I don't know that I would have used that garlic...it's probably full of phosphates and other stuff you don't want in the fish tank.

I usually just get the nori sheets (seaweed), peeled shrimp, and whole squid from the local Asian store....put it in a blender, then pour it into ice trays. I use the ice trays that make disks about 1in diameter, and have a rubber bottom so they punch out easier....I didn't say easy. Sometimes your fingers will be sore from pushing them out. I usually do about a pound of shrimp and a pound of squid. It makes about three to four sandwich baggies full of disks.

 

[skinz78]

I don't know that I would have used that garlic...it's probably full of phosphates and other stuff you don't want in the fish tank.

I usually just get the nori sheets (seaweed), peeled shrimp, and whole squid from the local Asian store....put it in a blender, then pour it into ice trays. I use the ice trays that make disks about 1in diameter, and have a rubber bottom so they punch out easier....I didn't say easy. Sometimes your fingers will be sore from pushing them out. I usually do about a pound of shrimp and a pound of squid. It makes about three to four sandwich baggies full of disks.

Agreed, and IMHO it was too much garlic with the Garlic Guard as well. LOL my house smelled like garlicy skimmate if I didn't change it daily...

 

[Seasquirt]

Yes, it's the same way I do it, throw everything in the grocery store fresh fish department in it (but don't need much of any one thing, I think ingredients run about $10) and coarsely blend. I started making my own fishfood beefheart mix when I was breeding show discus about 9 years ago. After the experience of cleaning beef hearts and grinding them, this is easy peasy! I feed about 1.5sq" daily to my 140 mixed reef, and the fish and corals go bonkers for it. Cheap too!

 

[skinz78]

You feed beef hearts? I've never heard of this, and I live on a farm and well we have beef heart from time to time lol....

 

[Eienna]

You feed beef hearts? I've never heard of this, and I live on a farm and well we have beef heart from time to time lol....

Yeah, beefheart seems to work well for discus (and they love it!!)

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

I used wild caught gulf shrimp for the majority of my foods base, as well as alot of squid. I don't recommend octopus anymore because its hard to process and the fish dont seem to care. One thing I REALLY like (so do my fish) was adding Spirulina power to the mix. 60% protein containing all the essential amino acids? Yes Please.

 

[skinz78]

Yeah I agree the Octopus makes a bit of a mess and just kinda turns into goo.

 

[Kimberlee]

Yes, it's the same way I do it, throw everything in the grocery store fresh fish department in it (but don't need much of any one thing, I think ingredients run about $10) and coarsely blend. I started making my own fishfood beefheart mix when I was breeding show discus about 9 years ago. After the experience of cleaning beef hearts and grinding them, this is easy peasy! I feed about 1.5sq" daily to my 140 mixed reef, and the fish and corals go bonkers for it. Cheap too!

I have heard beef hearts used in SW food as well. Can I get you to say exactly what you were adding it in for?

 

[Kimberlee]

Oh and a garlic tip for those wanting to use it, but who are control freaks like me. I take 1 clove of elephant garlic ( I hate peeling the small ones) and grade it against the fine part of the cheese grader. I than put it in a coffee filter and strain RO water through it. 20 min of it soaking and remove filter and all the garlic you are left w/ an extract that you only need a tiny bit of, and you know exactly what it is.

Also for those shelling the shrimp, it is good to throw the shells in too. A lot of fish, especially predictors need the nutrition from the whole animal including the shells.