Step to step Shrimp Mix with pictures

[76dragon]

I plan to only used pealed raw crawfish, so hopefully no disease there. I will try with the mbunas first then the trophs.

PN

[76dragon]

Couldn't get crawfish this time so I will use it on the next batch. I used shrimp. It was a bear to cut. I used two layers on a cooking sheet seperated with clear wrap. Not the brightest idea. It was frozen soli. I had to use A huge butcher knife an. A hammer. Broke my the handle to the knife.

I cut it in chunks and put it in freezer bags. I don't think I used enough shrimp caus
e it is breaking up on the water. Fed it to my malawis first They went nuts. Will try the troph tank tomorrow

phung

[billansor]

That was innovative on using one cookie sheet for two layers.... I would have used wax paper and you would have been probably pretty good.

Do not be discouraged at all.. The first time I did this was the hardest and each time, I have learned. I am very impressed with your above innovation.

The next thing would have been to let it thaw a little bit to cut.... or let it freeze a little bit and then cut..

What I do when I have a solid cookie sheet is to score it... like you would with sheet rock. all you have to do is to run a sharp knife or razor blade on top to the sizes chunks you want and then flip over and hit with a hammer... it should break off on the scored cuts.

how many lbs of shrimp did you use. Did you put into a blender?? Remember that I had a third ratio of shrimp or protein to the veggies.

If you did not use enough fiber as in the stalks of the spinach, peas, and beans -- it would not hold so good.....also if you had too much water. My mixture is actually a gooey paste.

However do understand that you do want it to break up a little bit... I put the frozen chunks into the water directly and let the fish chew it up.

Please keep us posted as to how the trophs did??

Did anyone else try this mix???? and if so.. what did you think and what were your experiences??

Bill

[76dragon]

Ok, here it is. I finally uploaded to my photobucket account. Enjoy

[geoff_tropheus]

how well does it hold up when placed in the tank?

I like this a lot better without the gelatin, one day might try this instead.

[geoff_tropheus]

fantastic thread by the way...awesome!

[76dragon]

I used a half bag of gelaten. It holds up pretty well. It doesn't break up right away. And if no one nips it. It will sink in one piece then they start to attack it. Trophs aren't wild about it yet. But the other Africans in the big tank love the stuff

[fshfrk]

Hey Bill do think this algea iv'e been saving from the algea turf scubber could substitue for some of the veggies? pics coming.

[billansor]

Leave the bottle out... he he he..

I would use that algae in place of the spirulinia and add to the spirulinia... Do keep the beans and peas tho... that is what holds it together...

Hey Bill do think this algea iv'e been saving from the algea turf scubber could substitue for some of the veggies? pics coming.

[billansor]

Cool

How did you freeze it??? In cubes???

Have you tried it out yet....

You really did not need to use any gelatin at all... Mine will hold up in the tank for over an hour until I remove it... it stays chunky the entire time..

Ok, here it is. I finally uploaded to my photobucket account. Enjoy

[billansor]

I have a tang tank (90 gallon) that is loaded with comps, egyptian mouthbrooders and callachromis. These guys are not really huge eaters and I put a 1 by 1 inch chunk into the tank. Sometimes I will check later (about one hour or so) and the piece is still in one chunk minus the pieces chewed off.

Think of the freeze dried cubed tubifix worms... Same thing...

I never did like the idea of using gelatin and so when I was able to use beans and peas for the fiber content and holding the mixture together.... I was hooked on that.

how well does it hold up when placed in the tank?

I like this a lot better without the gelatin, one day might try this instead.

[76dragon]

I freezes it in sheets in baking pans and in flat 1 gallon ziplock bags. I managed to cut them in 1x1 chunks or 2x2 chunks. Whatever I could cut. It was frozen solid. I will cut it earlier next time. It was way too hard. I used a butcher knife and a hammer. Well. It broke the knife. The handle at least

[76dragon]

how often do you guys feed this?? Is it safe to feed it in the morning and then again at night?? I feed only a small amount. maybe a 1 X 1 square piece

[billansor]

The trophs and trew tanks along with a Malawi tank are fed three times a day at least one chunk (the elongated log) and no problems ever... Several people I know that have started using this as their regular food have shared that the colors are more intense and in one case, the fish have been non stop breeding.

You will find that this is a more natural food and there for easier for them.

Excellent question.

Bill

how often do you guys feed this?? Is it safe to feed it in the morning and then again at night?? I feed only a small amount. maybe a 1 X 1 square piece

[76dragon]

I also feed the same food to my mbuna. AND I was told that mbunas are vegetarians. I didn't know that. I am feeding it to them anyways and they tear it up. I don't feed that much, just a 1X1 inch piece at a time