Feeding Only Dry Foods? What and When?

[blackcows]

I have been keeping saltwater fish for almost 20 years now, my current tank is 65 gallon reef with a 40 gallon fuge/sump. I have a yellow tang, two clowns, a flame angel, and a cardinal fish. It wasn't too many years ago that I had a tank packed with acros and spent a lot of time with the tank but as the kids have gotten older and have more activities the tank has evolved to more of a display rather than a hobby....still a beautiful tank but far less corals and more fish.

I used to feed the fish better than myself but now I must admit I do a horrible job....more travel with work and more kids activities means sometime I don't feed for days and sometimes three times a day. I've never really been a dry food feeder, always mysis and prepared foods like Rods. I need to do better and would like some help with a feeding program.

I have an Apex system so I am planning on buying an AFS (auto feeding system) that can feed multiple times a day and you can vary the amount. Any suggestions on a dry food? How many times a day should I feed and when should I feed relative to the lights being on or off? Although I want to be as automated as possible I will still plan on supplementing once or twice a week with mysis.

 

[Deinonych]

NLS pellets are my preference. They are a complete food and my fish love them. As far as frequency, I like to feed small amounts twice a day. You'll get a lot of differing opinions about that, though.

 

[SDguy]

Ocean Nutrition are my fish's favorite pellets, but I also use others.

 

[syrinx]

I rotate between brands of flakes and pellets for my dry foods. While all seem to be good, changing brands makes sure that there is no extended deficiencies. I have a 8 yr old pair of maroon clowns that are absolute perfection, with regular spawns-that have never had anything but flake food a couple times a day. Of course being in a full reef they have some other opportunities as well, but I am sold on the nutritional value of dry foods.

 

[SDguy]

I agree, I don't think there is any issue with "dry foods" since they have total nutrition that fish need. Sometimes just to say alive isn't enough, and fish require frozen foods that have elements that keep the fish very active and colorful... really depends on the fish, IMO. A big angel is fine, while anthias will lose color...

 

[jaa1456]

I buy the small containers of NLS, ocean nutrition 1 and 2. I thin mix all three containers together and have a good mix. Each pellet is different so at least you can get the best out of the pellets. At least that's my opinion.

 

[polleke]

I buy the small containers of NLS, ocean nutrition 1 and 2. I thin mix all three containers together and have a good mix. Each pellet is different so at least you can get the best out of the pellets. At least that's my opinion.

Yes, that is also what I do, mix as much different flakes, pellets, powder etc. This way what one brand may lack another brand will add. Also fish get to choose what they like best.

Anytime I see an new brand or flavour of flakes or pellets I just buy it and mix it in. Currently I have OSI, Ocean Nutrition (all flavours), some pellets, tropic marine immunovit and coral... and cyclopeeze. Both fish and I think coral and filter feeders like it.

 

[NiTr0x911]

I have some top of the line pricey Frozen Food.LRS,Rods,PE Mysis.Most my fish pick at these foods but they all go NUTS for NLS Pellets.

 

[inktomi]

I think with an autofeeder many small feedings per day are the way to go. I feed my anthias NLS pellets (a couple varieties mixed together) with freeze dried cyclops four times a day, and then give a complete frozen food (Rods, etc) in the evening.