Home Made Food Cube Questions.

[RocketScientist]

So I would like to start making my own food cubes to help me monitor the protions I'm feeding and so that I can mix a lot of different foods together. IE full shrimp, scallops, salmon filets and I'm considering keeping some ling cod carcases when I go fishing and throwing them on in the blender too.

What I'd like to know is if anyone knows if Geletin is reef safe? I'm thinking about using basic non flavored geletin as a binder for the food after I blend and mix it all up. Anyone have any experience doing this?

Thanks,
Brian.

 

[btuck]

I wouldn't think it would hurt anything. It's just another animal protein, but I'm not sure why you want to use it. When I make my own food I find the oils in the shrimp and fish keep it stuck together quite well when blended. It stays together nicely until thawed then breaks apart nicely when placed in the tank.

 

[RocketScientist]

Well, I haven't tried it yet. I just bought some of the raw meats and wanted to get input before I went and blended it all up.

Also I was just thinking that I might need something to bind it all together. Right now I'm thinking about reusing some of my cube trays from the frozen food I've been buying. But I am considering making some other configurations for the food. One idea I have is to take a PVC tube and some stoppers and fill it up then once frozen or gelled then I would exturde the food cylinder out and be able to slice it up into little segments.

 

[Curtswearing]

Some people add gelatin. In fact, if you buy frozen Formula 1 or frozen Formula 2 from the LFS, there's gelatin in there too.

 

[btuck]

You could probably use some eggcrate and wax paper to make your cubes.

 

[DonW]

If I remember correctly there is a reason to not use salmon. Maybe you can get Mojo to chime in on this.

Don

 

[spongebob lover]

hey dood i'm sure this is in your list but don't forget to use Selcon too

 

[Damsel13]

I gotta get me some of that Selcon I have heard many good things about it. But it is pricey. And I am about ready to make my own food and use leftover trays to freeze in. So...I am listening in on this thread.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Salmon is high in fats, messy.
I like to use stir fry mix, full of inverts such as clams, shrimp, scallops, squid, etc. Add a few oysters and perhaps some cyclops, freeze on wax paper, break into chunks, put in a zip-loc and viola!

 

[Damsel13]

Great!

and even Rolia! Inside Joke between husband and me.
Thanks for the info. I was wondering about the salmon.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Much of mine gets pureed very smooth as a coral food. Gives me one more use for a blender! The rest is left minced

 

[RocketScientist]

Thanks guys. I appreicate the information. Gelitin is out and I'm going to get a few more variaties of meats to round things off.

Here is a site for nutrition information.

www.calorieking.com

Anyone have any other sites for pulling nuturition information? I'm thinking if I can get an estimate on what portions of what I put in the blender then try different ratios and find out what does what.

 

[Ellisz]

I just blend it all up and pour into freezer bags. Put enough in to make a flat layer anf lay down in the freezer. I can just break off a hunk and feed.
I add:
**shrimp, scallops, white fish(cod) - these 3 are availbale at most meat counters
** raw garlic, nori, Zoe, cyclopeeze, oyster eggs, etc
- I need to get some Selcon as I believe it has beta Glucan or I will add directly

 

[shawn]

Does the fish you add have to be raw. I see bags called seafood mealody wich has shrimp scallops and other seafood but it says it's been blanched is that o.k. to use.

 

[returnofsid]

Raw and NOT treated with anything color enhancers or preservatives is what you want.

 

[leebca]

So I would like to start making my own food cubes to help me monitor the protions I'm feeding and so that I can mix a lot of different foods together. IE full shrimp, scallops, salmon filets and I'm considering keeping some ling cod carcases when I go fishing and throwing them on in the blender too.

What I'd like to know is if anyone knows if Geletin is reef safe? I'm thinking about using basic non flavored geletin as a binder for the food after I blend and mix it all up. Anyone have any experience doing this?

Thanks,
Brian.

I just began to post to this thread. So, I'm only addressing the first post (see quote above). I haven't reviewed all the other posts and won't comment on them unless someone wants me to.

Brian,
First. Congratulations on your venture into marine fish food preparation. It is a bit of a messy job. I do it about once every 2-3 months. The trick you may find is not to throw up during the process! or to avoid antagonizing any significant other!

I have devoted 35 years to making my own marine fish foods. So, to answer your questions:

If the gelatin you're using/planning to use is true Agar Agar, then that is derived from marine kelp. It is the best thing to use, since that will make the binder of your homemade food a natural sea product. Make sure it has no flavorings, additives, preservatives, etc. It needs to be only Agar Agar.

It is what I've been using for 35 years.

The things I don't like about your suggested formula is the salmon and cod. Avoid all fishes. They carry too many oils and oil upsets the Agar Agar from properly binding. Stick to the inverts (squid, shrimp, krill, plankton, scallop meat, etc.). Limit oyster eggs and fish roe because of the fats they carry.

The enzymes in the heads of marine shrimp also have an anti-binding affect on Agar Agar. So limit whole krill and whole plankton (which should be included) to less than 15% of the mix.

Don't forget to add some greens (e.g., spirulina, kelp powder, blanched broccoli flowers, etc. up to 10% of the mix) and vitamins.

There are many suggested formula and methods. Don't try to control nutritional content. If you are using true seafoods, they will have their own balance.

Here are some other links:
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=294728#post294728
and
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/Progressive_Recipe/Progressive_Recipe.htm

Good luck!