I do have a few professional (related) degrees, one of which is nutrition (though used as much as a square hockey puck).
In the frustration over buying multiple foods, and the delving into the occasional making my own, I figured I'd try to come up with a food I could freeze dry (I have the capability) that would supply a full spectrum to fish (carnivore and omnivore), specialty fish, corals, and various cope/amphipods in a mixed reef tank. I've been doing a lot of research and obsessing about this over the past few weeks.
Nutrition between species is pretty standard (A,C,E digestible antiox, B energy and blood, potassium/sodim for muscle, etc) be you fish, dog, or human. Its the balance thats the concern.
So, I've had the tomes open on the desk, the screens open on the comp, and a call or two to a vet bud I know for advice.
We knew the needs, but as theres no research papers on an overall mixed reef diet, I had to go it on my own.
Main concern was a full spectrum reef feeder with minimal phosphates while keeping mild nitrates that wont overload a system (but keep at least minimal levels).
And, of course, the ability to feed everything in a reef tank.
I've come up with a pretty effective mix, one dry cube a day (to be re-hydrated).
I used 70% of my final mix criteria over the past 2 weeks and its working fantastic. Algae decreased, coral growth, fish are fanatic for it.
I just received 3 variations on seaweed today, some dried cyclops, and am waiting 2 more packages before I put the final mix together.
I'm wondering if anyone has anything 'out of the ordinary' they feed their fish that I might try out, why they do it, and benefits seen - looking at you Paul B. Already have black/white/bloodworms covered. Earthworms are a tempting prospect but due to their diet they give off tons of phosphates and potential contaminants.
So, nutrition basics covered, just looking for any extra 'zoom' options before I process the first big batch. All natural please, needs to come from a natural food source, not from a commercial blend.
Thanks.
P.S. What I've pulled together for the basic nutrition if anyone has interest:
Vit A (rhodopsin, mucus, cell defense), B1 (metabolics, muscle/nerve development, mucus), B2 (finnage, blood, nutrient absorption), B3 (finnage, appetite, protein digestion), B5 (hormone production, metabolism, gill O2 exchange), B6 (enzymes, metabolism, nerves, reproduction), B12 (anti-anemic), Biotin (energy, muscle, nerves, gut bacteria), C (absorption, finnage, bone and tooth, immunity, healing, digestion, stress), D3 (co-factor nutrient utilization), E (cells, enzymes, antioxidants, immunity. lipid/hufa), K (blood formation/clotting), M (blood formation, metabolism), Choline (fat production, coloration), Carotenoids (immunity, antioxidant, fin regeneration, coloration), Phosphorus (growth, finnage, metabolism, scales, nerves, energy, egg production), Mg (muscle, enzymes, respiration, osmoregulation), Ca (bone, scales, finnage, teeth, equilibrium, metabolism, clotting, enzymes, hormone regulation), Trace elements (growth, cartiladge and bone, metabolism, enzymes, sexual development/function, egg development, anti anemic, parasitic recovery).
In the frustration over buying multiple foods, and the delving into the occasional making my own, I figured I'd try to come up with a food I could freeze dry (I have the capability) that would supply a full spectrum to fish (carnivore and omnivore), specialty fish, corals, and various cope/amphipods in a mixed reef tank. I've been doing a lot of research and obsessing about this over the past few weeks.
Nutrition between species is pretty standard (A,C,E digestible antiox, B energy and blood, potassium/sodim for muscle, etc) be you fish, dog, or human. Its the balance thats the concern.
So, I've had the tomes open on the desk, the screens open on the comp, and a call or two to a vet bud I know for advice.
We knew the needs, but as theres no research papers on an overall mixed reef diet, I had to go it on my own.
Main concern was a full spectrum reef feeder with minimal phosphates while keeping mild nitrates that wont overload a system (but keep at least minimal levels).
And, of course, the ability to feed everything in a reef tank.
I've come up with a pretty effective mix, one dry cube a day (to be re-hydrated).
I used 70% of my final mix criteria over the past 2 weeks and its working fantastic. Algae decreased, coral growth, fish are fanatic for it.
I just received 3 variations on seaweed today, some dried cyclops, and am waiting 2 more packages before I put the final mix together.
I'm wondering if anyone has anything 'out of the ordinary' they feed their fish that I might try out, why they do it, and benefits seen - looking at you Paul B. Already have black/white/bloodworms covered. Earthworms are a tempting prospect but due to their diet they give off tons of phosphates and potential contaminants.
So, nutrition basics covered, just looking for any extra 'zoom' options before I process the first big batch. All natural please, needs to come from a natural food source, not from a commercial blend.
Thanks.
P.S. What I've pulled together for the basic nutrition if anyone has interest:
Vit A (rhodopsin, mucus, cell defense), B1 (metabolics, muscle/nerve development, mucus), B2 (finnage, blood, nutrient absorption), B3 (finnage, appetite, protein digestion), B5 (hormone production, metabolism, gill O2 exchange), B6 (enzymes, metabolism, nerves, reproduction), B12 (anti-anemic), Biotin (energy, muscle, nerves, gut bacteria), C (absorption, finnage, bone and tooth, immunity, healing, digestion, stress), D3 (co-factor nutrient utilization), E (cells, enzymes, antioxidants, immunity. lipid/hufa), K (blood formation/clotting), M (blood formation, metabolism), Choline (fat production, coloration), Carotenoids (immunity, antioxidant, fin regeneration, coloration), Phosphorus (growth, finnage, metabolism, scales, nerves, energy, egg production), Mg (muscle, enzymes, respiration, osmoregulation), Ca (bone, scales, finnage, teeth, equilibrium, metabolism, clotting, enzymes, hormone regulation), Trace elements (growth, cartiladge and bone, metabolism, enzymes, sexual development/function, egg development, anti anemic, parasitic recovery).
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