Over feeding

[AquaDummy]

I know I'm over feeding but I'm just not sure all the fish are getting enough food. Every time I feed my fish the harlequins go nuts and basically eat everything they can. The other fish just kind of sit back till the maniacs are out of the way. Then I find myself dropping more in for the late comers, then some for the bottom feeders. Then I'll notice my poor picked on platy and small cory so I'll drop some more in for them.

Before I know it I've got a snow storm of flakes happening. Do I need to just fight the urge to do these 'specialized' feedings or is there a better way to ensure everyone is getting food without over feeding?

 

[Analog Saint]

what I do is a diversion- at one end of the tank, I put in the flake- the rasboras come zipping for them. While they're busy picking away at those, I drop in some bio-blend at the other end which goes down to my krib and cories. The tetras usually nab whatever as it sinks.

 

[chunksofpoooo]

Try different types of food. Give your small schoolers flakes and give your bottom feeders veggie or algae waffers, generally the waffers are too big for the small schoolers to eat until they soften at the bottom, at which time they have generally forgoten about food or gotten their fill

 

[AquaDummy]

Try different types of food. Give your small schoolers flakes and give your bottom feeders veggie or algae waffers, generally the waffers are too big for the small schoolers to eat until they soften at the bottom, at which time they have generally forgoten about food or gotten their fill

I'm thinking the varoius types of food may be one of my problems. I've got so many kinds of foods, that I was trying all sorts of combinations. I've pretty much settled on the Spirulina flakes and Tetramin crisps. I throw in an algae wafer and sometimes sinking complete food. I've been avoiding sinking foods lately as my cories are getting a bit plump. I'm still worried about my bushynose as he doesn't eat the wafers or the veggies I put in. I can only assume that I have algae in the tank although I can't see it. He is a bit thin.

I know a rule of thumb is drop in a little at a time for 5 minutes making sure not to put more in until they eat the previous amount. What do you do then if some fish aren't eating? How big of a "pinch" do 20 harlequins, 2 blue rams, 7 platies need? Also, I have 6 cories and was thinking with the amount of fish I have, that I should probably get a few more for the cleanup crew?

I must say that my water parameters are fine - no ammonia, nitrite and minimal nitrates. I also vacuum once a week but not very well. My tank has a hood on it with lights. When I take off the hood to vacuum, I have no lighting to see inside the tank. I wish my hood had bigger slots on top so I didn't have to take it off so much.

Maybe I'm alright?? I don't know but as a total newbie (never had or knew anyone with fish before) I'm not sure how much it too much or not enough???