Anyone interested in fresh reef food?

[alkamar]

I am thinking about buying fresh seafood and various other ingredients to make some D.I.Y. flats of reef food. I have looked at some recipes but haven't decided on which I will use yet. Here are some links for you guys to check out if interested.

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http://www.melevsreef.com/food.html

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/coralcare/a/aa022803.htm

http://ozreef.org/diy_plans/additives/reef_food.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/cheap-food-48810.html
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I have read that fresh seafood without the preservatives reduces the amount of phosphates introduced to the aquarium. I don't know if that is fact, but I do know that it would be nice to have a variety of food in a small block to feed my nano and see how everything reacts to the fresh food.

Let me know who is interested and you can help me decide on a good recipe. Based on how many and how much anyone wants, I'll see how much everything will cost to split up. I'll then get the ingredients, blend them, put them into thin ziplock flats that can be easily broken into fragments, and then freeze them. I'll have to use some dry ice to get it to you guys frozen.

 

[lorawalters13]

I'll take some! = )

 

[Goibot]

Cool idea - count me in.

 

[Rendos]

Dr. Peaches should really post here. I think he had tried some home made foods in the past, and had some real issues with it. If I am wrong Steve...please correct me.

 

[DrPeaches]

I've made my own food in the past, and I've come to the conclusion that's it's an unnecessary investment in time and inferior to commercially available products that cost less in the long run. With the homemade food I encountered water quality problems, and my fish did not seem as healthy.

The main attraction to homemade food seems to be the novelty and the illusion that you're giving your fish a superior product. The novelty quickly wears off with the hassle of preparation, and the fish are no better off, or perhaps fare even worse. My opinion, for what it's worth, is stick with rinsed frozen cubes. Their quality is superior and they don't cause near the water-quality problems.

 

[alkamar]

Thanks for the input. I love the benefits of the people that have been there and done that. I try to learn from the mistakes of others, but I have been hard-headed at times and had to learn the hard way.

Unless anyone can offset the cons, I am having second thoughts about it. However, I do not back out of things I agree to, so I will follow through if you wish.

 

[Reefdiver77]

We have had a couple of meetings about making your own homemade food, one of which was at my home. It just seems like a real hassle to me, although I have never tried it. I think I will stick with Petsmart frozen mysis and brine shrimp.

 

[dzones]

I tried it and also have to agree that it really was more of a hassle than what it was worth. The store bought frozen is so nicely packaged for convenient portioning and ease of use I know I won't do the homemade again.