Fish food Question

[Thunderkat]

It should be the same nutrition just less water in freeze dried. I would stay with freeze dried because its easier to store.

Freeze-dried foods. Many small aquatic organisms, such as daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, "blood worms" and the old-timer's favorite tubifex worms are collected, cleaned and quickly freeze-dried to be used as treats for aquarium fish. The freeze-drying process retains much of the nutrient value, and often the character of the organism as well. The result is a treat that looks and often smells like "real food" to the fish, yet is convenient and quite reasonably priced on a pound-to-pound basis.

Frozen Foods. Many of the same used in freeze-dried foods organisms (and other more unusual entrees like algae, squid, fish and beef heart) are also available frozen in thin blocks of ice, not unlike "The Thing" in the classic horror/science fiction film. Fortunately, when thawed, they generally don't come back to life and go on a rampage, but they do look awful tasty to most aquarium fish. They are consumed with relish (not literally) by even most of the pickiest eaters. Since they need to be stored frozen, they are a bit less convenient than dried or freeze-dried foods, and the price per pound of actual food (rather than water) is quite high. In addition, their less-processed nature that keeps them so appealing to fish also increases the risk of introducing pathogens or pests into the aquarium. At least one major brand irradiates its foods to reduce such risk.

[Reef69]

IMo..Go with frozen, its "fresher"..you can do more things with frozen foods than you can with freeze dried.

[CD]

IMo..Go with frozen, its "fresher"..

I would definitey agree. Keeps more of the nutrients in tact, and has GOT to be more tasty from a fish's point of view. I won't even buy the freeze dried cyclop-eeze...got to be frozen! Of course totally fresh (like from the seafood counter in your grocery store) would be optimum, but can get to be a PITA unless you live right next to the store...fresh SFood goes bad "fairly" quickly too. I vote for frozen ;) One thing to watch for in frozens though is what the mfg. co. uses as a binder. Some of the foods I have tried have a lot of gels and other junk which can foul the water quickly if your not careful.

Wendy

[Reef69]

Defenately, gel binders are a PITA, making the cube hard to thaw..hate it..but over all, its better food..

[GaryP]

The one thing I dislike most about freeze dried food is that it floats, even when soaked, and particularly krill. Half of it ends up going to the overflow. Just what I need, more uneaten food to add nutrients to my water. The only thing I use that is freeze dried is Nori and flake.

[GaryP]

I have some frozen left over, its been in my freezer for about a year, wonder if its still good, been frozen all this time

I wouldn't use it if its freezer burnt.