My FOWLR as at 27 July 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIYxwCGlJik

3 feet tank at 24 July 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z54cZPQn3k8

Great Video: Dolphins and Whales

I do not understand why RWS want to keep dolpins, they are not fish, they are mammals.

 Hope they do not keep whales.

Great Video: Ocean Wonderland

Great Video: Great Barrier Reef - Reef to Rainforest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA5qhC_Y1sw

SOP when buying from follow reefer in your local fish fourm

I believe if you are long enough into this hobby, you have more less even brought some fishes from the reefers in your local fish forum before. I would like to share my experience gained on this from selling and buying fish.

I suggest the following SOP:

1. Only buy fish that is in the display tank not in the Betta box or another tank.  This is because you can observe the movement of the fish when it is allowed to swim freely and the appearance of the fish. You can always come back the next day to collect when the fish is caught once you put a deposit.
2. Always ask the owner to on the light so that you can see clearly the fish's appearance when the light on.
3. Check the tank water salinity level. Make sure the tank is not on hypo salinity treatment. Hypo salinity treatment means diseases in the tank..
4. Bring your own pellets and try to feed the fish with your own pellets. This is to see whether it is feeding well or not.
5. Do not trust the member grade in the forum. Senor member should not means his fish is good and stable Sometimes newbie fish are more stable.
6. Do not trust the seller saying that the fish have been in the tank for months. They are just salesman.
7. QT the fish for a few days before putting it into the main tank. Someone may ask what is the purpose of buying from the reefer in the forum. They brought it because it is been stable and disease free after it has been in the seller tanks for months or years. BE CAREFUL on this statement, my experience shows that the seller sell the fish for some reasons and the reasons they will not disclose it at all. So never trust what the seller said that the fish is disease free. I lost some of my expensive fishes because of my naive on not to quarantine the fish.
8. There is always RISK when putting new fish into the main tank, whether it is from the LFS or from the reefer. After going through some purchases, I concluded it is MORE risks when buying from the reefer than from the LFS because your guard is down or lesser when you brought from the reefer. Furthermore, the conditions of the fish from the reefer is more difficult to determine as compared in the LFS because the seller may not be obligated to all the things you asked.

This is what I learnt from buying experience and  the buyers of my fishes when they come to view my fishes. Although most of the experience are from buying experience that cost me a lot of money as some of the fishes is not what the seller said and causes outbreak of diseases.

Happy buying...

Great Video: Coral Sea Dreaming Awaken

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANRmIYf-SYs

Product Review: AQUASYNCRO Wave maker HWM2000 and comparison with Resun Wave maker WAVER-2000

In Feb and April this year 2012, I reviewed the Resun wave maker WAVER-2000 and the result is it is a value for money product, except of the silicon cup that could not last too long. So I give it a lower rating due to this.

I recently purchased a AquaSyncro wave maker HWM 2000 which is suitable for pico tank and make a review and comparison over the Resun wave maker.

AquaSyncro wave maker HWM 2000 is rated at 3W and 600 l/hr. It looks the same as Resun WAVER-2000 and has the same power rating as Resun WAVER-2000. In previous review, I have already stated the Resun over-rated the flow rate. Aquasyncro does not over-rated this, they are more accurate in this aspects.

Looks almost the same as Resun one. But the greatest advantage is that it comes with the magnetic clamp that can last very long time.

Overall, AquaSyncro wave maker HWM 2000 has the almost same size and power rating, it comes with magnetic clamp that will last for a long time. As for price, it have a slightly more expensive about S$5 more than a Resun one. AquaSyncro is definitely a value for money product and is built to last. I strongly recommend this product over the Resun one as it is a more lasting product, for just a few dollar more.

Battle with diseases - part 2

Lost my Sailfin Tang... Yellow tang started to eat a little.... Everything is back to normal but still under observation.

Battle with diseases

Last two weeks to now, I am still frighting with deadly diseases that taken my purple tang, brown tang and sweetlips. Now, my yellow tang, and sailfin tang are in danger, stop eating....  I suspect it is internal bacterial disease/inflection......

Declare war!!!!.......

3 feet Marine Tank as at 26 May 2012

After some fish transfer from the 2 feet tanks

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQzXI2ks9BE

During the transfer, I did suffer some losses.......

Nice videos from Bubblevision.com Part 16 - 21

Part 16:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB7tqiL-Eqs

Part 17:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fE2gIARQWA

Part 18:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rSlA_ywEec

Part 19:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4eqoV-0VaE

Part 20:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om3OloWXZKo

Part 21:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1JMkPi3_oE

3 feet Marine Tank updated at 16 Apr 2012

This is my 3 feet tank at 16 Apr 2012 after 2+ months of cycles. I used filter media from the old tanks. Lost the threadfin butterfly as it simply stop eating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAw6y-E4nJQ

Pico Tank (More than 9 month ago) as at 4 Aug 2012

It have been more than 9 months since I started the pico tank from seahorses to my present.

All the 6 fishes are with me since last December. Maindrain fish,  Singapore angel, pink skunk clown, Ocellaris clown, yellowtail demsal, Banggai Cardinal and Chromis. Plus one Hermit carb with me from previous two feet tank, more than a year now. Just add two anemone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JABirThlIco

Peppermint Angel

My most wanted fish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKJ8EKxlaJQ

Hailea Chiller with External Temperature Controller without modification to the chiller and without DIY risk (Part 3)

From the post part 2, I have brought another type of temperature controllers from the Internet, http://www.taobao.com/ .


Let me review this temperature controller.

It have the same functions as the first type, except now the upper and lower temperatures can be set separately. Advantage is that it can set a wide temperature difference so that the chiller will not kick in so often.

It have two outputs that switch on together. I connect one of the output to the chiller and the other to the exhaust fan to cool the chiller. So the exhaust fan did not need to on all the time.

Overall, it is a good product to have and no need to DIY at all. It have features that you need in the temperature controller you brought from Sim Lim Tower. Best of all, it is about $50 included shipping cost. This cost is much cheaper than DIY the temperature controller from Sim Lim Tower, three pin socket (about $10) + all the wire and three pin plug.

DIY Fish Foods

I found some DIY fish foods from fellow reefers for their fishes. Just to share:

From http://www.melevsreef.com/food.html

Click on the links:

http://theprodigalcube.blogspot.com/2010/01/diy-fish-food.html

http://www.melevsreef.com/food.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/fish-food/diy-homemade-fish-food-51006.html

http://www.reeftime.com/diy-reef-projects/diy-fish-food/frozen-reef-food-recipe/49.htm

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?140943-DIY-Frozen-Fish-Food

Great video from Bubblevision.com

This is also one of great video to learnt the name of the fishes in the reef.

Enjoy the video. Big Thanks to the bubblevision.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AStqevNCprE

Nice videos from Bubblevision.com Part 11 - 15

Part 11:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDa2HctD8cs

Part 12:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVcJBLmaVH8

Part 13:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYWtj5q_MVc

Part 14:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WkkJUDD4ao

Part 15:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9p_5uUDYKI



Please thanks the www.bubblevision.com . More videos to see from them.......

Nice videos from Bubblevision.com Part 6 - 10

Part 6:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIcMKe30e5M

Part 7:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2QVSzreZhY

Part 8:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhHSRdQ439I

Partc 9:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0liBnH0xlr0

Part 10:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFAY8kSYvOo

Nice videos from Bubblevision.com Part 1 - 5

I come across some very nice videos from Bubblevision.com.

It is very interesting and very well taken. Part 8 is one of my best video I liked.

Enjoy yourself.

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk_oULwpyhc

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khvzyYLLlA8

Part 3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6lpDsBYX6A

Part 4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzhZslpCstA

Part 5:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOkkAMclvJ4

My last video on the 2 feet tanks on 5 Mar 2012

Last video taken on Mar 2012 (few months back) on before decom, many things have changed except my love for FOWLR.

Top tank:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoVWAqIiHJc

Bottom tank:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBF-Fukkbc0

Hailea Chiller with External Temperature Controller without modification to the chiller and without DIY risk (Part 2)

I brought two different types of temperature controllers from the Internet, http://www.taobao.com/ .

Let me review the first type of temperature controller, it is a very simple one. I have been running it for one to 2 months since the end of May. So far, no problem and very reliable.

It have three buttons only, and you just set the kick in temperature. When the temperature is above the set temp + 1 degree C, it turns on the switch and turns on the chiller.

It have a 3 meters temperature sensor, that is long enough to put into anywhere in the tank, eg in sump or main tank.

3 buttons only

With external temperature probe/sensor

at my home installation:

It have an output of 2000W (about 8A output current) which means it can be used for 1HP chiller.

The best is it is about Chinese Yen 35 to 50 plus shipping cost. I paid about S$15 for it included shipping cost. Cheap or not ......


Cons:

1.   There is a large temperature offset for my unit, I set to 32 degree C to get the tank temperature of 30 degree C. So two degree difference, Offset is not a problem at all. That means if I want to get tank temperature of 28 degree C, I need to set the unit to 30 degree C.

2.   Another thing I find is that the temperaturen difference to turn on and turn off is only 0.5 degree C not 1 degree C. That means more kick in. :(

I have another type of temperature controller that can set the temperatures to turn on and turn off. It is much more expensive than this one. Will do a review when I have run in the controller.

Overall, I still find it useful for chiller with demage controller. It is value of money and it is reliable until now.

2 feet marine tanks updated - 29 Jan 2012

If you wonder what happans to my 2 feet tanks, this is what it looked  at 29 Jan 2012. It is five months ago, many things have changed since then.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTAHAVQUBrE



Pico tank as at 24 Jun 12

Everything went well after the UV light is turned on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyZmRLMJqoE

@24 Jun 2012

Hailea Chiller with External Temperature Controller without modification to the chiller and without DIY risk (Part 1)

Finally, solve the chiller problem without any modifications to the chiller and without DIY the external temperature controller. And this equipment is very resonable in price. I am using Hailea HC-300A chiller.

Will do a review in near future, so let the equipment run in for a fair review.

So happy now......

Sad day/week (Pico tank as at 10 Jun 12)

What a sad week! Loss a clarkii clownfish in the pico tank... ,  the clarkii clownfish is from the 2 feet tank and it is with me for more than 9 months to a year. It comes very sudden. Its body developed white spots, then started to breathing heavily. The next day, I changed 40% of the water and put a UV light to the tank. After a day, she is gone..... Indeed, the marine Ich or could be marine velvet are very deadly.

Now, turn on the UV light and hope it will not spread to other fishes. Until today, all the fishes look healthy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WiUvCLiXXM

Always a challenge in keeping marine fishes in pico tank.................

DIY Chiller with External Temperature Contoller

I come across a video on DIY a temperature controller. The controller can be brought from ebay easily. There are several models of temperature controllers. I suggest use All-purpose Temperature Controller STC-1000. It is about S$30-35. The challenge is to DIY the connections, it is not so difficult. But you must know what you are doing, if you are not sure, then donot do it!

The advantages is normally the external temperature controller have more features such as the delta difference in temperature for the chiller to kick in beside the normal 1 degree C.

Hope you can learn some things from the video.

Enjoy the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I-iwFLykxs

My Mandrain Fish

One of the very unique fishes is the mandrain fish. It is one of the challenging fish. It is very dificult to get it to feed. Very very slow eater. Its movement is so graceful and the color is incredible beautiful.

I have one Green Mandrain fish since last year december. It have been with me for coming to 7 months.

I am not sure what it eats. Every morning, I put one cube of mysis shrimp and one cube of brine shrimp into the pico tank plus some pellets. I only feed pellets at the evening. I did saw it pecks on some pellets and shrimps.

Hope next time I try to take a video when the fish is feeding....

DIY Hailea Chiller with External Temperature Probe/Sensor

In this few weeks,the weather is very hot, my chiller keeps on turn on and off very frequently and nowadays the electrical cost per KWh is also rising. As the coming few months will be also very hot, I decided to look for ways to reduce the kick in of the chiller, hoping reduce the cost of electrical bill.

I found a DIY to connect an external temperature probe to Hailea chiller. The pictures are from a forumer named gryphon in www.arofanatics.com.  He wrote a very detail method of connecting a external temperature probe to a Hailea chiller. I summarised the steps.

1. Buy a NTC based plastic temperature probe/sensor from Sim Lim Tower (shop near the escalator that sell FOX temperature controllers) I think about 2 - 3 meters is the best. There are different types of temperature probe. Make sure it is NTC type.

Picture from gryphon in www.arofanatics.com

2. Remove the front panel by pulling from the bottom of the panel

Picture from gryphon in www.arofanatics.com



 3. Use your finger to reach and press down the two tabs that hold the display panel of the chiller

Picture from gryphon in www.arofanatics.com

Picture from gryphon in www.arofanatics.com

Tabs refer to the circled one:

Picture from gryphon in www.arofanatics.com

4. See the pair of red and black thin wire, that is the wire connect to the internal temperaure sensor in the chiller.

Picture from gryphon in www.arofanatics.com

5. Disconnect and solder or connect to the external temperature probe. (there is no polarity you need to follow)

6. Calibrate your chiller to match your tank's temperature by pressing and hold the Up and Down arrows together.

For more information and show of appreciation to the author please go to the link below and thanks the author:

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=470139

Jellyfish Lake at Palau

Jellyfish Lake in Palau is a very interesting place to go see the Jellyfish without strings. If you have money. should visit this place. Not sure in Singapore, any LFS import fishes from there......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEzkM-CWC9k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CBJKqURZLQ

More information about the golden Jellyfish:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/golden-jellyfish/


Beside the Jellyfish, there is many more nice underwater fishes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOEg3gFNlEw

Pico Tank updated as at 18 May 2012

A few changes are made,  the high-fin (blue lips) angel have been transfered to bigger tank, a clarkii clownfish is added, it is from the 2 feet tanks.

A number of fishes have been sold and given away to my friends. My present Pico tank is now have

a) 1x common clownfish
b) 1x Pink skunk clownfish
c) 1x green Chromis
d) 1x yellowtail damsel
e) 1x Banggai Cardinalfish
f) 1x Singapore angel
h) 1x Green Mandrain
h) 1x clarkii Clownfish

Pico Tank as at 18 May 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxH2WQvjees

My triggerfishes

Triggerfish is one of the hardy fish to keep in the aquarium, it can adapt well in the tank. Initially, it will hide that is why the tank need to provide ample hiding place. Through time, it will start to move around. As for food, it will take some times before it starts to eat pellets. It likes market pawn more than pellets.

I have three different types of triggefishes in my tank. Each have its own characters.

1. Niger Trigger (now around 3 inches)
I got it a very small size (less than 1 inch), it is a easy going character that does not bored about other fish in the tank. It does not attack other fish at all. Do not like to move rocks. The colour of the fish changes from day to day between purple, blue and blue/green.

2. Picasso Triggerfish (now around 3 inches)
I got it a very small size (less than 1 inch). It is an interesting one, like to run 100m dash from the side to side non-stop for many times. Like Niger Trigger, never like to bore other fishes in the tank. It have a unique pattern in the body, that is why I brought the fish.

3. Undulate Triggerfish (now around 4 inches)
Indeed one of the aggressive fish in the tank, like to attack the Picasso trigger. Also like move the small rocks around initially. But now, it stop moving the rocks after realising I keep putting back the rocks to the original positions.. Like to hide in his territory area. Always alert and his eyes fellows around with you without moving his body. Very intelligent fish. I got it at round 2-3 inches about 9 months ago

Niger Trigger

Picasso Triggerfish 



More Photos on my Lionfish

As I am going to sell away my lionfish, I will like to keep some photos. This morning, I took some photo of him, swimming and looking at me....

My Lionfish

Lionfish is one of the unique fish to have. I have a Volitian lionfish with me for more than 9 months, it started as a very small fish about 1 inches, now it grows to 6 -7 inches. Very nice to have as it does not attack others fishes like tangs, angels, triggerfish and clownfish except small fishes (Chromis), very intelligent fish.

Initially it may be difficult to get him to feed dead fishes or pawn, through time it can be trained to eat frozen pawn and also pellets. Pellets only if there is no choice.

Product review: Resun Wave maker WAVER-2000 Updated

I have been using Resun Wave maker 2000 in my pico tank for more than 3 months, my one does not come with the magnetic clamp fixer. It comes with suction cup.

The suction cup now is giving way, it is not suitable for marine tank. Now the wave maker hung by the wire not by suction cup. I am very disappointing with suction cup one

I strongly strongly recommend if you want to get Resun Wave maker 2000, get a magnetic clamp one. The magnetic clamp is actually available in China through www.taobao.com

Pico Tank updated as at 7 Apr 12

During the last three water changes, I changed too much of the water more than 40% to 60%, the fishes show some stress, breathing very fast. I donot know why. That resulted my cleaner shrimp died in the next day. After a few days, all the fishes recovered.

The following next water change, I decided to check on the ammonia and nitrite levels found that the ammonia level remains at zero but the nitrite level went up to 0.25ppm to 0.5ppm after the water change. The large volume of water change have killed a lot of beneficial bacteria for ammonia to nitrite conversion portion.

Pico Tank as at 7 Apr 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_-aeNm2ZCA



For nitrite level spike, there is no quick solution in the market to remove the nitrite effectively that is what I found out. The products such as Nite-out II will help to reduce the nitrite levels but it takes time (more than 2-3 days) to grow the bacteria before the nitrite level starts to drop.

As for ammonia spike, I always keep a bottle of Kent Marine Pro-Ammonia Detox for emergency. I found that it is very effective to bring down any ammonia spike.

3 feet Marine Tank updated at 30 Mar 2012

Update:

Add the the Chromis and my butterflies fishes from the 2 ft tank to the tank, the nitrite spikes up to between 0 to  0.25ppm for the last few days. However, the ammonia remains at 0 ppm.

It is common, when you start to add fishes to your newly completed fishless cycled tank, it will increase either the ammonia level or the nitrite level or both due to increase in bio-load to the tank. Fishless cycle will grow certain amount of beneficial bacteria (BB) as the BB needs constant supply of ammonia to survive. The more ammonia in the tank, the more the BB will grow provided there are enough filter media in the tank.

Present tank:

Work hard to bring down the nitrite level, it is quite difficult. I am dosing Microbe-Lift Nite-out II to see whether this product helps to bring down the nitrite level.

Unitl now, fishes look alright. Will continue to monitor the nitrite level everyday. I am thinking of adding Microbe-Lift Special Blend if the nitrite level still maintains at 0.25 ppm.

Cycling my new 3ft by 2 ft by 2ft marine tank - Seeded by Ocean Free A-Z Super Beneficial Bacteria

Last month, I brought a 3ft x 2ft x 2ft cabinet tank with sump from a fellow reefer.

Until now, it has cycled for almost three weeks with live rocks and bio-home filter media.

I seeded the cycle with Ocean free A-Z Super Beneficial Bacteria and added a piece of market pawn into the sump.

To further assist the cycling process, I added the used filter wood from my present 2 ft tank. The used filter wool contains a lot of beneficial bacteria, it can greatly reduce the cycle period. The only worry is to make sure the old tank which the wool comes from is free of ich.

Yesterday, I checked ammonia and nitrite are all zero. It means the tank are fully cycled. Will be adding some Chromis this weekend to test the water and do a small water change. I like to use Chromis to be first fishes to add to the new tank because they are hardy fish and it is very easy to see if the water condition has any problem from the Chromis. Just look at their breathing and the color of the fish, you will know the condition of the water.

Popeye Treatment - Hypodermic Needle Method

Popeye Treatment - Hypodermic Needle Method
A diabetic syringe is used to pierce the skin around the eye of a blue-stripe clownfish and then the plunger is pulled to remove the gas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vNl-6SEdao

T95 Location - Supreme Aquarium - Updated

Today 8 Mar 2012, lunch time, finally found T95 loacation. It is the last building, just walk all the way in from the slope. The building photo below:

My impression is their fishes are very stable, however the fishes are normal marines fishes. They are open in weekdays and weekends and close at 5pm.

Pictures are countesy of Google maps

Pico Tank updated as at 5 Mar 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnaDoN7rHc0

@ 5 Mar 2012

Cost of the Pico Tank Setup:
Fishes:
a) 1x common clownfish - $1
b) 1x Pink skunk clownfish - $5
c) 3x green Chromis - $3
d) 1x yellowtail damsel - $2
e) 1x Banggai Cardinalfish - $5
f) 1x bluelips angel - $20
g) 1x Singapore angel - $8
h) 1x Green Mandrain - $10
i) 1x flame angel - $50

Invertebrates:
a) 1x cleaner shrimp - $8
b) 2x tube worm - $6
c) 2x snails - $8
d) 1x soft coral - $5

LS = $131

Equipments:

1. 1 x 1 ft cube Ocean Free Tank - $20

2. 1 x Gex Hang on filter (large) - $25

3. 1 x ADA nano internal filter (~200l/hr) - $8

4. 1 x Boyu nano Skimmer (WG308) - $20

5. 2 x Aqua Zonic (Super Slim LED Clamping Lamp, black - 32 white + 8 blue Bulb) - $45

6. 3 kg of black sand - $25

7. 1 x 1ft plastic partition + holder- $10

8. 2 x  live rocks - $10

9. 2 bags of bio-home filter. - $20

10. 1 x Resun Waver 2000 - $25 

11. 1x 9W UV light - $20

12. 1x Cooling fan - $20

13. Top cover - $10

Equipment = $258

Total cost: $389 in Sing Dollars

This is an estimate costs, it does not included marine salts mix and the live stocks that do not make it.......

So be prepared for more money if you are going to keep marine fishes.

T95 Location - Supreme Aquarium

Yesterday (1 Mar 12) after work, went to find where is T95 (Supreme Aquarium). Went to Seaview (indicated by A in the google map)  to buy some fish foods. After that, topo the T95 from there.

Finally found T95 but it is quite late about 7.05pm. The outside the main gate, there is a sign wrtten "Marine fish" and "T95" words on the sign. So decided to walk up the slope to find which building is T95.  There is three buildings in the site.  Was greeted by two big and angry dogs, therefore, decided to end the adverature before any incidents. So do not know which buidlings is T95 and are T95 still operating? Would find out some other days.


Address:
Supreme Aquarium (T95)
Lot T95, Seletar West Farmway 1.
S(790000)

Pictures are countesy of Google maps

Marine LFS in the central or south part of Singapore

There is a few LFS in the central or the south part of Singapore.

AquaMarin:
298 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534931

Sea Life

240 Balestier Road, Singapore 329702 - Shfited to Blk 107, Jalan Bukit Merah

Marine Life  
178 West Coast Way, Hong Leong Garden Shopping Centre, Singapore 127086 - shifted to  Blk 354, Clementi Ave 2, #01-203 Singapore 120354

 

Golden Octopus
472 Upper Serangoon Road Singapore 534509

Pictures are countesy of Google maps

Marine Foods

There are many different types of marine fish food available in markets, ranging from Live, frozen, home made recipes, flake, pellet, etc. Each type of foods has its positive attributes in term of nutrition.



Home made recipes
Everyone have its own home made recipes when it comes to feeding their fishes.  One of the most famous home made recipes that are selling in Singapore is the Henry food from Marine Life.



Live foods
I do not in flavour of live foods, this is because live food runs the risk of bringing disease into the marine system. There is always some chances, but I will not take the chance unless I have no other choice.


For me, unless the newly introduced fish is not eating for a few days, then I will try live foods to get the fish eating. Slowly feed it with more and more pellets. Overall, it will be more easy to get the fish to eat  with live foods as it recognises the foods as it is natural especially live mysis shrimps, however live mysis shrimps are difficult to find in Singapore.




Frozen Foods
Frozen foods I used are normally from the brand Hikari mysis shrimp and Brine shrimp. One advantage is it is a natural food that is frozen, so it has almost the same nutrition as the live foods. Therefore, it is the best food to use to feed the newly introduced fish. It is relatively easy to get the new fish to eat using frozen foods. Mandrain fish normally only feeds on frozen foods. Lastly, it is easy to find and buy. 


Although freezing a sea food will kill most larger parasites, flukes, worms, etc. (but not all pathogenic bacteria). So it is important to buy a brand product. Some of the home made recipes may not be purely sterilised as the ingredients are from the seafood market, such as pawn, etc..




Flake and Pellets
This is a processed food that vitamins, wheat, etc are added to make a balance diet and enhance the health of the fish.  The only disadvantage is that it will take some time before the fish start to eat them. But before the fish starts to eat the pellets, the fish dies due to poor health.


Each types of foods has pros and cons, it is advised to feed your fishes will all the different type of foods at different percentage, maybe live foods 5%, seaweed 10%, home recipes15%, frozen foods 20%, pellets/flake 50%. There is no right or wrong percentage, it depends on yourself, as long as the fishes are healthy and thriving (no loss of color), you are on the right path.


Next posting  I will discuss the pellets foods that I feed my fishes.