algae gel food mix reviews & discussion

[bayst]

I tried mix number 2 so far. I'll try #1 next! Here is my review:

- I found it *very* quick and easy to prepare and chill in the fridge. I followed the amended instructions, and used a microwave. It literally only took like a minute or two to make the whole thing and mold it in a small tupperware container. I popped it in the fridge and it set up quickly-- by the time I checked it 20-30 minutes later, it was set. I left it to harden more before feeding, though. I love the consistency!

- Clean up was also very simple, and any gel came right off of my spatula and bowl, etc. The gel was also easy to handle and came off the tupperware readily when I cut it into serving sizes.

- I fed squares to my mbuna, shrimp, and snails. All seemed to figure out quickly that it was food, and piled on to eat! And I had already fed them in the morning! lol... guess they liked this better!

- The gel maintained a solid form in the tank, even overnight in the snail tank. (They ate most, but I put in a large square so half was left in the morning and was consumed for breakfast.)

- I think to facilitate better access for my critters, I will leave it in a long rectangle next time.

Overall, I am VERY pleased with the gel. It is popular in all of my tanks and the ease of preparation is awesome! Thanks for creating this and sharing it with us!!!

 

[xVitox]

any news on whether you will continue making this stuff?? i just used the last bit of my sample up!

 

[blue2fyre]

I tried making some today. I don't think I used enough water so it was clumpy and a little dusty once it got in the water. My mbuna are still suspicious of the new "rock" I put in but the shrimp have swarmed the stuff. The rabbit snails also seem to be enjoying it alot.

 

[blue2fyre]

Here's my shrimp enjoying the food.



My growing out mbuna and the ones in a holding tank have both dug into the food and like it. The ones in the main tank are still suspicious.

 

[cellodaisy]

I tried mix number 2 so far. I'll try #1 next! Here is my review:

Not sure how I missed this post for so long, but thanks for the review, Jani!

any news on whether you will continue making this stuff?? i just used the last bit of my sample up!

As of right now, I am not selling mixes but I am selling the ingredients. I'm going to post a new thread soon (tonight if I can get my act together) with slightly adjusted pricing and more pre-selected "packages." If you want ingredients in the right ratios to make a certain recipe (one of the originals or something else), I can help you figure out the order.

I tried making some today. I don't think I used enough water so it was clumpy and a little dusty once it got in the water.

What I generally do is this:

decide how much final gel I want and use that much water
use 1 tsp of agar per cup
add about 25% of the final gel volume in other dried ingredients

For example:

1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp agar
1 TBSP other stuff


However, I am finding that some mixtures need more agar than others. For example, my recent experiments with green pea powder have clouded the water a bit and tended to float after a day in the tank, so I'm going to try again with more agar and see if that helps.

If we all share our results and experiences, particularly when we find blends that work well, I'm sure we can come up with a nice collection of recipes.

 

[jpappy789]

Well, I finally did it but since I screwed up last time I was only able to make a small batch. I just put them into both tanks so hopefully the fish like it!

 

[jpappy789]

Well, the oto in the 30 found the gel and LOVES it. The ones in the 20L haven't yet.

 

[froggsong]

Very interesting. Once I get my bigger tank set up and stocked, I will definitely order some. I've been toying with the idea of starting a shrimp population before adding fish, and this will allow me to easily feed them before the tank starts growing algae, etc, without having to feed something that's going to dissolve and make a mess/affect parameters.

I, like Ozy, was wondering how it would do with feeder insects, but if it starts growing things, maybe something else is a better idea.

Definitely interesting, and like I said, I'll order some eventually! (If I don't forget. )

 

[jpappy789]

Forgot to mention my BN found the rest and chased the oto off the clump in order to scarf the rest down himself LOL.

 

[cellodaisy]

Well, the oto in the 30 found the gel and LOVES it. The ones in the 20L haven't yet.

Yeah, mine sometimes take a day or so to warm up to it. Fortunately, it lasts well in the tank so they get a chance! Mine do seem to prefer it as a thin layer on a rock as opposed to a chunk, but they will eat it either way.

Forgot to mention my BN found the rest and chased the oto off the clump in order to scarf the rest down himself LOL.

Haha... nom nom nom!

I, like Ozy, was wondering how it would do with feeder insects, but if it starts growing things, maybe something else is a better idea.

You could certainly try it with feeder insects, but I'd recommend keeping a close watch and not expecting it to last more than a day. It seems to last much better in the tank than out of it. My best guess is that the beneficial bacteria in the tank out-competes anything else.

Definitely interesting, and like I said, I'll order some eventually! (If I don't forget. )

I look forward to hearing from you!