Getting NLS pellets and Cyclopeze (freeze dried) to sink?!

[matt888]

Ok, my Anthias love the Cyclopeze and all other fish go nuts for the NLS. Here's my issue with both types of food... neither sink very well. If I swirl it around in the sump like crazy, it gets pulled through my return pump, out the seaswirls, and works fairly well. Any ideas on how I can go about using my Eheim Autofeeder to accomplish feeding the display and NOT just let food float around on the surface of the water? Thanks.

 

[SDguy]

Don't they make feeding rings for this?

 

[Breadman03]

I think I saw a post where someone used a piece of PVC that extended slightly below the surface of the water to ensure that the food sank before floating off. Picture one of those flake feeding rings, but mounted below the auto feeder.

 

[E Rosewater]

I go the old fashion route with the pellets and just throw them at the surface a few at a time.

 

[matt888]

I was thinking of that pvc concept and may give it a try. I still believe the cyclopeze will still just hover on the surface inside the pvc.

As for throwing it in... that defeats the purpose of an autofeeder.

 

[Curious George]

You can swirl them in a shot glass first to take away their bouyancy. Then toss them in.

 

[E Rosewater]

Sorry missed the auto feeder comment.

 

[stunreefer]

I was thinking of that pvc concept and may give it a try. I still believe the cyclopeze will still just hover on the surface inside the pvc.

The cyclops should sink once it's thoroughly soaked up enough water.

Perhaps just use NLS pellets in the auto feeder and supplement cyclops once you're home and can use the shot glass trick. Or feed frozen cyclops.

 

[matt888]

Some good suggestions here, but ultimately I wish to feed the NLS pellets AND cyclops through the autofeeder in the morning/afternoon because I do feed frozen mysis in the evening. As mentioned earlier, the Anthias don't care for the pellets but tear up the cyclops. Both are dry foods and perfect for the autofeeder, so I just need to figure out a reliable way to get it all to sink.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

My carbon reactor empties through the clear tubing into the funnel. At the bottom of the funnel, there is tubing that carries the food to the intake of my return pump.

It works great and it's hilarious when the fish go nuts during feeding time. They dart to each of the pump outlets in the display tank when the food gets pushed through.

 

[griseum]

The various NLS pellets that i use from 1-10 mm in size also come as either sinking pellets or floating pellets. Do you have the sinking type and which size? Because even the 1 and 2 mm sinking pellets don't sink for a few moments when they hit the water but do eventually

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Can you drop the food near the intake to a powerhead so the pellets get sucked in and spit out by the powerhead? Something like the Vortech should work well. Maybe put the funnel above the powerhead with some holes under the water to get water flowing down through the funnel and drawing the food with it.

I have tried the feeding rings and they work ok but attract algae and can be difficult to get to stay in place.

 

[rssjsb]

Some good suggestions here, but ultimately I wish to feed the NLS pellets AND cyclops through the autofeeder in the morning/afternoon because I do feed frozen mysis in the evening. As mentioned earlier, the Anthias don't care for the pellets but tear up the cyclops. Both are dry foods and perfect for the autofeeder, so I just need to figure out a reliable way to get it all to sink.

As Peter mentioned upthread, the solution to your problem is a feeding ring under the output of your autofeeder. It holds the food in place so it doesn't go into the overflow. Your fish will learn quickly to strike at the suspended food, knocking it into the water column for everyone to enjoy.

 

[matt888]

Just a follow-up on what I've done. I mounted the autofeeder over the section of the sump that has the intake for the return pump. I then mounted a spare koralia pump under the water surface, but pointed up at the location the food hits the surface. This appears to be working!

 

[woodnaquanut]

In one of my FW tanks I completely cover the tank. I cut an access hole in the cover, put 4 holes around the edge and put 4 acrylic rods thru the holes. This holds the feeder ring in place and provides a place to stand the autofeeder.

If your tank is not euro-braced the Ocean Nutrition 'feeding station' will stick to the side (ignore the silly suction cup!) and you can mount the auto feeder directly above.

 

[xxvietxjustinxx]

I take a cup, add some water into there. Put the pellets in and use a turkey baster to feed my fish. I can control exactly how much I want to go in. Pellets almost never go uneaten.

 

[woodnaquanut]

I take a cup, add some water into there. Put the pellets in and use a turkey baster to feed my fish. I can control exactly how much I want to go in. Pellets almost never go uneaten.

Note the OP is using an auto feeder.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Ok, my Anthias love the Cyclopeze and all other fish go nuts for the NLS. Here's my issue with both types of food... neither sink very well. If I swirl it around in the sump like crazy, it gets pulled through my return pump, out the seaswirls, and works fairly well. Any ideas on how I can go about using my Eheim Autofeeder to accomplish feeding the display and NOT just let food float around on the surface of the water? Thanks.

take a look at Scott's picture again.

autofeeder -> into funnel -> washed down into pump intake

it works well

 

[masharp1126]

Do a google search for Melev's Eheim Chimney. Works really well. I'm getting ready to order one.