BN's and Zucchini Question

**pinkertd** · 08-02-2010, 1:19 PM

I always rinse well under running water and leave the peels on. It would probably be better to peel the ones I put in in chunks, then plecos could get to both sides. I don't worry about pesticides for them anymore than for us. I beleive all veggies are at least semi-permeable, therefore pesticides, if used, would penetrate to the inside as well.

**aquanurse** · 08-02-2010, 3:37 PM

Are you guys putting it in on plastic forks? or does that even matter? Also what time a day do you feed them? Is it best to drop it in at night?

**bradlgt21** · 08-02-2010, 3:45 PM

Plastic forks won't work because they will float. Try stainless silverware. I usually use a butter knife, the short fancy type, that way they don't fork themselves. I use planting tongs to pick them back up off the bottom.

**BioHazard** · 08-02-2010, 4:14 PM

I just use bamboo skewers. The zuch seems to sink well enough on its own, and I can wedge the skewer in place by shoving one end in the gravel and the other under my magfloat.

**TwoTankAmin** · 08-02-2010, 4:28 PM

Let them feast but not at the cost of abandoning a varied and balanced diet.

There are two ways to feed zuke. One is plain and raw. You can use any number of ways to keep it down from bamboo skewers to a variety of metal kitchenware. My preferred method for feeding it raw is to make slices or chunks and then use a feeder clip with a suction cup which can be bought at most fish selling locations/sites.

The other way I work with zuke is to slice it up, then using waxed paper, I wrap it and freeze it. Then I defrost it in the microwave. It can also be nuked raw. The idea behind nuking is to get the equivalent to parboiling. I put slices into a small bowl and then nuke it on defrost. I then put it into a bowl of cold water and wait to see if it sinks as it cools down. If not, I nuke it some more and repeat the process till i have a bowl full of zucchini that sinks. Nuking like this is a trial and error process and the time needed will vary depending on whether you start with raw or frozen slices and what power oven you have.

Here are some lf chowing down on nuked zuke:

**DLV082** · 08-02-2010, 5:02 PM

Thanks for the replies. No problems with water paramaters as I vaccumn every day. As to preparation I don't have to worry about pestisides as I grow the zucchini myself. And I don't cook the zucchini. All I do is to slice the zucchini up and put it in the freezer and then take it out and just leave it defrost when I need it. The freezing process seems to soften it up enough for the fry to munch out on.

**aquanurse** · 08-02-2010, 6:58 PM

Mine never gets any food, the pictus cats eat anything that hits the bottom before he can, he is living on algae alone right now. Does anyone know if they will eat the Zucchini too? I feel like he is starving...even though he is growing.