Nate213 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Does anyone else make their own fish food? I have been making my own for over a year with great results. I buy flash frozen or fresh raw seafood from the supermarket and blend it up with nori, selcon, and a few other ingredients. I dilute it with tank water or RO/DI water till it is like a thick paste. Then I pour the mix into 1 gallon freezer bags and flatten them out so they are about 1/2" thick and freeze flat on cookie sheets. After they are frozen, I cut it up into small squares and re-bag them. The great thing is that you can tailor to your tank, more greens for tangs, or more meaty foods for aggressive tanks. I also throw in some oyster eggs or other supplements for corals. There are tons of online articles with recipes and such. Im suprised that more locals dont do this. It is much less expensive than store-bought and you can control what goes into you tank. For my last couple of batches, I found some 2lb seafood mix from the supermarket on sale for about $4 a package. They had clams, squid, tiliapia, rock fish, scallops, halibut chunks and no unnatural added ingredients. I mixed with a package of nori, some garlic and a few squirts of Selcon. When I was all done, I had nearly 5 lbs of food for less than $12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonH Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Sounds good. Two problems. First - and I can not emphasize this enough - I'm incredibly lazy. Second, my wife would look unfavorably at me using her kitchen utensils to mix up tank food - even if it all started as store grade seafood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I would like to try this but cant get myself to actually do it. I have all tangs a clown and sps in my tank primarily so I would like to make a veggie mix for the tangs and have some micro's like oyster egg for the sps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Where/what are you using for the garlic? Raw Garlic, Garlic Powder, Garlic from the LFS. etc. Broccoli and spinach also seem to be common ingredients. Perhaps everyone could list the ingredients they know can be used (and what for) which could help us each tailor our own mix. For instance: Meaty Foods/Protein: Note: All should be raw/uncooked Cocktail Shrimp Shrimp Crab Imitation Crab (Check the ingredients first) White Fish Silversides Scallops Mysid Shrimp Clam Squid Brine Shrimp (Note: Brine Shrimp is like popcorn, filling but with very little nutritional value) Krill Veggies: Nori (Dried Sea Weed) (Note: Check asian food section at Safeway or LFS, Avoid roasted.) Broccoli Spinach Macro Algae Filter Feeders: Oyster Feast Rotifers Phytoplankton Oyster Eggs Cyclops Nutrition Supplements: Selcon Vita-Chem Garlic (Note: Can use fresh garlic cloves and run them through a garlic press. Garlic helps trigger a feeding response) If anyone has any alternative suggestions to get the same thing or suggestions on where to buy then toss them out as well. (Oyster Eggs instead of Oyster Feast but where do I buy it?, Nori from any place that sells Asian food but be sure it is not fried, etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I would like to find a place to get cheap oyster eggs/feast. That stuff is spendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I made up some of my own just to get some bigger pieces for the larger fish, it seems they struggle to get enough of the small brine or mysis. I bought fresh shrimp and scallops a little water into the Magic Bullet, not to fine but good and chopped. I saved one of the cube trays from the last brine shrimp I used up and scooped the mix into the tray with a teaspoon, took maybe 5 min total. I like the idea of adding some nori and vitamins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 The only nori I could find was roasted... Is that no good? It was at winco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I was told by a reliable LFS not to use the roasted stuff. I didn't ask the reason behind this though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 The only nori I could find was roasted... Is that no good? It was at winco I saw a post before not to use roasted, check your LFS most carry it or if you have a market or store with asian food you should be able to get it there. If all esle fails order it online its cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I think I would use RO/DI water rather than tank water as well. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Alright I will quit feeding them the rosted stuff and find some of the good stuff... They seemed to like it when I soaked it in garlic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I think I would use RO/DI water rather than tank water as well. Any thoughts? I just use tap water its only a few tablespoons i'm sure it not going to affect anything, I guess I could walk outside to the ATO and get ro/di but hey we are lazy (whistle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I too have been doing this lately...with excellent results. I use RO water not tank and I add my coral foods, nori, and seafood mix. Fish love it and apparently so do the corals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I made about a years worth of food for $8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate213 Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 Rick, To answer some of you questions: Some people use tank water, I did at first, but now I use RO/DI water. I think RO/DI water is safer. I use only fresh garlic, and run a couple of cloves through the garlic squeezer before I add it to the mix. I found dried (not roasted) nori in the asian foods section of Safeway. Your ingredient list looks great and covers most of what I can think of. I have used thawed mysis & brine shrimp cubes in my mix, but it adds to the cost & most of my fish like the seafood chunks better. JasonH My suggestion for not ticking off the wife is to buy a $5 food processor or blender from the Goodwill or thrift store. I just explained to my wife that it is no different than making bean dip or anything else she cooks. It was all fresh seafood, nothing gross there. Cant help you with the lazy part, but I assure you that this is easy & well worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 lol....I used my wife's Ultimate Chopper....shh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 ....I think RO/DI water is safer.I kind of thought the same thing. Tap water is probably okay as well but I think tank water may cause it to spoil faster. Whether or not it would make any difference I don't know. ....I use only fresh garlic' date=' and run a couple of cloves through the garlic squeezer before I add it to the mix.[/quote']Thanks, I'll add that to my shopping list. ....Your ingredient list looks great and covers most of what I can think of. I have used thawed mysis & brine shrimp cubes in my mix' date=' but it adds to the cost & most of my fish like the seafood chunks better.[/quote'] Thanks, I'll add brine with a note about the low nutritional value. I intend to follow this thread and update the list with any new ingredients that anyone can think of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undrtkr_00 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 This sounds great, but I think it would take me a loooooong time to use up 5 lbs of tank food. Perhaps we should set up a meeting where several people pool a few bucks and we make up a batch together. Plus, we could add a small amount of the more expensive ingredients, like oyster eggs, and spread the cost. Anyone interested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 This sounds great' date=' but I think it would take me a loooooong time to use up 5 lbs of tank food. Perhaps we should set up a meeting where several people pool a few bucks and we make up a batch together. Plus, we could add a small amount of the more expensive ingredients, like oyster eggs, and spread the cost. Anyone interested?[/quote'] This dude's a genious! I'm all for that idea. 5 lbs would probably be 5+ years worth for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I might be up for the idea if the mix fit my feeding needs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I'm planning to mix up one or two batches tonight. Once I'm done I'll list the ingrediets and if anyone is interested I can figure out the cost and bring some to the BBQ this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benny503 Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 please list the ingrediets I will try to do some tomorrow. Thanks, Benny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate213 Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 5 lbs would probably be 5+ years worth for me. You can scale it down to whatever you need, I was just using my example. I can burn through 5#s in about 2-1/2 - 3 months. Overfeed & Overskim. I'm planning to mix up one or two batches tonight. Once I'm done I'll list the ingrediets and if anyone is interested I can figure out the cost and bring some to the BBQ this weekend. First Rod's Food, and now Rick's Food. (laugh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I have to say I have been VERY pleased with this. If any are interested in what I did and used I will be happy to show you. I am looking forward to my next batch as I have new ideas for the mix. Plus I have brilliant blender for those that are local to me. I might have an extra if someone needs one for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Okay, here is what my first batch consisted of. Sea Scallops - 10 pcs Cocktail Shrimp - 60 pcs Imitation Crab (A variety of White Fish) 4 or 5 pcs Nori - 5 sheets Broccoli - 1/2 head Spinach - 4 or 5 bunches Mysis Cubes - 8 cubes Rotifer Cubes - 8 cubes Oyster Feast - 2 oz. Garlic - 3 cloves Vita-Chem - 60 drops 1/2 cup (approx.) of RO/DI water The first batch turned out good (The fish went crazy when I put some in the tanks) however I will change a couple of things for the next batch. It blended up into a nice base which I am sure will be great for filter feeders and the smaller fish. It is lacking anything chunky for larger fish to eat though. In the next batch I will blend some of the meaty stuff up first but make sure it is left a bit chunky and remove it. The Rotifer Cubes, Mysis Cubes, and Oyster Feast I'll leave out entirely until the end. Then I'll mix the base up first with the veggie stuff etc. Once this is done then I will stir the meaty chunky stuff that is remaining in without blending it. I'll let the mixture set overnight in the fridge so the flavors will all mix together before freezing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.