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This is a post with which Fishguy will be happy. I have started using the NLS community pellets. Funny enough my community tanks don't eat it, but the 55 gallon with barbs and giant dannios? They absolutely go crazy for it. Not a single pellet gets to the bottom. Lots more fun to watch them eat now than before. Very, very cool.
I have ordered some NLS garlic flakes as well to try in my other tanks.
Lady Hobbs
08-17-2007, 01:50 AM
I need to try some floating pellets. I got some NLS but got the wrong kind and they sink so fast that nothing eats them but the loaches.
Chrona
08-17-2007, 11:30 AM
Takes a little while for the fish to adjust. They'll start gobbling it up soon. I'm not sure if NLS even makes floating pellets.
Fishguy2727
08-17-2007, 12:51 PM
They are supposed to have some semi-floating pellets. If you drop the sinkign gently very close to the surface they will usually float just long enough for everyone to get started, then they follow them down and clean off the bottom. You may need a bowl though unless you have sand.
These community pellets will float for a while but sink as soon as they are touched. The barbs/dannios just go nuts over them. I just received in the mail a container of sinking wafers and flake, both from NLS.
Lady Hobbs
08-17-2007, 10:49 PM
Sand would be a big plus for my pellets. They'd lay n top instead of setting in the gravel. I will try putting them on top the water better.
Are the ones you have the community pellets like I have?
zackish
08-18-2007, 01:12 AM
I know everyone recommends NLS for their fish but could someone tell me why? What is so good about it?
Dave66
08-18-2007, 02:42 AM
Because it containes more broad-based nutrition, plus color components (like astaxin) and scent attractors keyed to the family of fishes its designed for - Cichlids, characins, marines . . . then most prepared foods. NLS is a staple I use often.
Found this at a forum: Krill, Herring, Squid, Wheat flour, Algae Meal, Soybean Isolate, Spirulina, Beta carotene, Garlic, Vitamins and trace elements. The protein percentages vary(34-50%), depending on specific formula, with Ash content usually below 9%. Fat (Omegas 3 & 6) is 5-9%, moisture is around 6-7%. Some formulas such as Thera+A contain extra Garlic, and the Finicky Fish formula contains a large amount of Mussel. For more detailed information, please read the label on the jar. Now you know what's in it.
Dave
Fishguy2727
08-18-2007, 03:07 AM
If you take a good look at their website (nlpublish.com) you can find lots of info. As far as foods go (human, dog, bird, fish, etc.) it comes down to the ingredients. The highest quality ingredients yield superior results, and the results are what speak volumes for NLS. I have tried and seen lots of different diets used, and by far the best I have seen is NLS. Nothing else seems to get the color, growth, health, or breeding out of fish like NLS.
zackish
08-18-2007, 03:29 AM
If you take a good look at their website (nlpublish.com) you can find lots of info. As far as foods go (human, dog, bird, fish, etc.) it comes down to the ingredients. The highest quality ingredients yield superior results, and the results are what speak volumes for NLS. I have tried and seen lots of different diets used, and by far the best I have seen is NLS. Nothing else seems to get the color, growth, health, or breeding out of fish like NLS.
What do you think of Omega One, as that is what I am using for now.
Thanks for the replies and information btw^^
Fishguy2727
08-18-2007, 01:04 PM
It is not as good as NLS.
Omega One brings up a whole other issue though, it uses seafood. That is in and of itself one of the worst things you could be doing to the environment. None of the methods of raising fish for food is really good, but seafood has done the most damage so far. There are now only 10% of the large fish in the sea that would be there naturally, this is due to fishing. Now we must fish down the food chain and go for smaller and smaller stuff. But this doesn't really matter since it is simply not as good as NLS anyways.
Just to chime in on Fishguy's comment about the ingredients. If you take any 2 high-quality foods and compare the ingredients, NLS wins out hands down. I'm kind of sorry now I ordered another large container of OSI Vivid Color flake. Oh well, I'm going to use it up then switch over to all NLS. I just can't believe the difference in behaviors for the barb/dannio tank.
MeganL3985
08-21-2007, 04:15 PM
If I got some of this NLS stuff for my neons, what kinda would I get? Are there flakes?
tropfish
08-21-2007, 04:28 PM
i'm going to buy some nls too.
MeganL3985
08-21-2007, 04:31 PM
I just looked it up, found the flakes :) Gonna try some too!
Fishguy2727
08-21-2007, 08:03 PM
I would use the small pellets (1mm) instead of flakes. Even though they are a tad too large, they will grab them and swim around with them while they soak. It fills them up better, is cleaner, and will keep aggressive feeders occupied while less aggresssive eaters get their share.
zackish
08-21-2007, 10:51 PM
The container I have of omega one is going to take forever to use!!!!
Fishguy2727
08-21-2007, 10:55 PM
I just gave up on using the old foods and started giving them the good stuff.
MeganL3985
08-21-2007, 10:56 PM
I would use the small pellets (1mm) instead of flakes. Even though they are a tad too large, they will grab them and swim around with them while they soak. It fills them up better, is cleaner, and will keep aggressive feeders occupied while less aggresssive eaters get their share.
i thought the pellets sink? And how many pellets should I drop in for 6 neons?
The pellets float for a while until they are touched, then they sink. I am finding that my community tanks aren't touching them. I have the flakes though, and they are eaten well.
Fishguy2727
08-21-2007, 11:51 PM
If dropped gently right above the water they do float long enough for them to get started, then most fish will search the bottom for them, not to mention it should feed any bottom feeders like cories and loaches. The amount to feed is kind of a trial and error thing. It is best to start with a few and add them until they either stop going for them or five minutes have passed.
Maybe I just need to be more diligent in my efforts to switch them over. I have seen such a vast improvement in the barb/dannio tank (not that it was by any means bad to begin with though). You are right about the pellets vs. flakes. Less waste!
MeganL3985
08-22-2007, 03:27 AM
Yeah I reallllly like the less waste part. I'm always afraid i'm over feeding them anyways, since I was in the beggining. I only give them a very small pinch once in the morning when I wake up and then right before I go to bed. So pretty much every 12 hours they get a tiny pinch.
Just wait until you get your first large tank. Feeding is a little more complicated than offering a pinch twice daily! :ezpi_wink1:
zackish
08-23-2007, 01:15 AM
Just wait until you get your first large tank. Feeding is a little more complicated than offering a pinch twice daily! :ezpi_wink1:
How so? I am not doubting I am just interested in what you have to say about feeding in a larger tank.
Fishguy2727
08-23-2007, 01:33 AM
It's not just a pinch. I use measuring spoons to scoop my food, one gets a tablespoon per day.
How so? I am not doubting I am just interested in what you have to say about feeding in a larger tank.
I meant that you can't just drop a pinch in and let it go like you can a small tank. Using flake in a larger tank takes more time and multiple "pinches" over a few minutes. Not to mention that in larger tanks there are typically bottom dwellers that require sinking foods.
DaleJr08
10-04-2007, 02:55 AM
I have a question. I have been in this hobby for a while now and have always feed frozen foods. I have always worried about dry food, heres my reason. I read an article a while back that explained with dry food the fish willeat as much as they can. Then when its in their stomach the dry food starts taking in water, it expands in their stomach and makes them sick. Its makes perfect sence to me. Lately, I have read nothing but good things about NLS, but how does it just take care of this problem? Thanks
John
Fishguy2727
10-04-2007, 02:58 AM
That is not really a problem. I have fed pellets A LOT and talked to even more who have done the same. I have not heard of a single incident where they ate alot, then it swelled up and caused any problems. I think it is not likely enough to even worry about.
DaleJr08
10-04-2007, 03:21 AM
Thats good to know then. Im pretty sure its been a problem for long term flake food feeders though.
John
Fishguy2727
10-04-2007, 11:45 AM
Flakes would be even less likely to cause problems than pellets. Pellets are so thick it takes a while for the water to soak all the way through them, flakes are so thin they are usually soaked by the time they are swallowed. And feeders don't usually get a 'long term' for problems to develop.
Bill M.
10-05-2007, 06:55 PM
Hey.. I got some NLS Marine fourmula pellets for whenever I do have money to buy my Perculas..... I got it for like, 3 dollars, and its not even close to the exp. date.... good deal eh???
Man... karma's nice sometimes...:1luvu:
ruecole
10-05-2007, 07:06 PM
I have a question. I have been in this hobby for a while now and have always feed frozen foods. I have always worried about dry food, heres my reason. I read an article a while back that explained with dry food the fish willeat as much as they can. Then when its in their stomach the dry food starts taking in water, it expands in their stomach and makes them sick. Its makes perfect sence to me. Lately, I have read nothing but good things about NLS, but how does it just take care of this problem? Thanks
John
Could it have been referring to freeze-dried food? Because I've heard of that causing bloating problems in fish (and particularly in frogs). I always soak mine well before feeding it. Plus it makes it sink better.
Rue
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