Calling all DIY fish food makers....

[Chris]

Id really like to get into making all my own foods or atleast most of them..... I don't mind mixing the prepackaged frozen stuff together, and repackaging it even, but want to be able to feed a wider range of foods in one feeding so even if thats all you do please share your formula/ recipe

Im really looking to hear from those of you that buy all your foods from the market/ stores and blend it all together for your tank.... what do u get, how do you mix it (ratio, blender settings, whatever u can think of that is useful in making it) how do u package it, and how long does it last for your tank (please include feeding amounts/ times per day, and # of fish)

Thank you all in advance

[cephalotus]

Tagging along on this one.

[bigbill]

wel i just made some up mixing a bunch of pre packed stuff was a 5 in one when i was done

small pack rods
1pk cubes mysis shrimp
1/4 of a 5.3 oz can of thera + A crused up but not to powder
1/4 cup of zoo plankton
8.74 oz pack San Francisco Bay Brand Emerald Entr

[spartyblaze]

I mix mine with whatever's 'popular' at the moment:

Right now its:
1/4 Mysis
1/4 Cyclopeeze
2 TB of Coral Frenzy/Clean Reef Foods Filter Feeder
Couple oz of DT's

I always mix mine and put it in zip lock bags and lay flat before freezing to make it very simple to break off in measured doses - this is my best secret I've found through the years. If you want to add or try a new item to your mix like the 'fad' flake or algae - you can put it back into the bowl, melt it down - add your new food and refreeze.

I know some of the skeptics and super measured dose people probably would call me crazy, but it's worked for me for a while.

Makes for great drink mixers too if you're feeling adventurous.

[Chris]

Both of you guys have said you mix them together... do you add water to the mix or just whats there after the blending/ mixing or do u just thaw out any frozen foods pour them together and freeze them? Thanks guys!


Keep the ideas coming!!!!!

[MizTanks]

Great thread Chort! I'm gonna tag along and add along. I get where your coming from and I def am sharing your interest. Hopefully Beekerbob will chime in with his own recipies and ideas.
I got some ideas too-gotta hit our local co-op first. See if they got all what I need.

[Sir Patrick]

I would add a clove of blended up fresh garlic, if i were to do this. Maybe some selcon also?

[bigbill]

well i use 1/4 cup ro i mix mine realy well then lay it flat in my frezzer till its solid then i cut it up to magnble sizes mine makes a super full bag zip lock bag our 2 thinner ones. the thinner ones is easyer to cut up in to chunks
foxface choc tang blk/wht clowns and green clown all luv it

[Tankster]

I'd suggest getting a group and making it together. By the time everyone brings a couple of ingredients and you add it all together you end up with quite a bit of food. Some items you can't buy in small enough quantities and the bigger batch you make the larger variety of ingredients you can include. We do it once a year with the MMMC and end up with 60 or so quart size bags afterwards. 5 bags would last me a year, feeding 8 fish once a day. We end up having to add RO water to thin it out a little. A blender is a necessity.

[2pairs]

I agree with Tankster, get a few friends and each contribute part of the ingredients.
In the past I mixed rods food with mysis and coral frenzy. But the last two years I buy some of what MMMC makes, they sell some at the frag swap (Lansing) and I add extra mysis, coral frenzy, golden pearls and selcon.
This way when I feed it feeds everything in the tank at once. I have been doing this for a couple of years with good results.