Feeding bottom feeders with MTS in tank

Jayme · 06-17-2012, 04:38 PM

I'm noticing a growing problem in my tank. I want to make sure my Corys and Otos are getting enough to eat but shortly after I put the food in it's covered with MTS and they don't seem to try very hard to butt in and get to it.

I bought some glass petri dishes and I put pieces of Rapashy Soilent Green and also Hikari algae wafers in them but the snails just hop on in and cover the food. I also put a piece of cucumber with a weight on it that the Otos have enjoyed in the past and I've only seen the MTS on that as well.

I was thinking about trying to find a little suction cup soap holder or something for the bath and putting the petri dish in there up above the substrate but I'm not sure if the Corys would be up for finding it and getting in to eat.

Does anyone else have this problem and if so what sort of solutions have you found?

I should also note this happened in the old tank with filthy old substrate and lots for the MTS to eat and not just this newly set up one with clean sand.

Thanks!

angelsword · 06-17-2012, 04:59 PM

I have the same problem. I haven't come up with a solution though. Your idea of a feeding platform sounds good but it would have to be shaped so that the food didn't just fall off once the fish start eating it.

Edub · 06-17-2012, 05:46 PM

Pick out the snails and chuck em. It'll take a few times until you make a dent in the population (if they're like mine haha) but eventually you'll notice less snails competing for the fish's food.

angelsword · 06-17-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edub

Pick out the snails and chuck em. It'll take a few times until you make a dent in the population (if they're like mine haha) but eventually you'll notice less snails competing for the fish's food.

Easier said than done

shrimp pliskin · 06-18-2012, 02:42 PM

I had a similar issue with MTS covering everything especially the babies. I had to set up lettuce traps and start feeding the fish less.

**acitydweller** · 06-19-2012, 01:51 PM

If there are that many MTS, you are likely overfeeding. try feeding smaller portions and more infrequently.

Another method would be to split the portion into two feeding areas.

Jayme · 06-20-2012, 02:30 AM

Well for now I got a suction cup soap holder and put a glass petri dish with Repashy Soilent Green in it. So far 2 Otos and 2 Corys have found their way in to eat and it's about 9 inches off the substrate. I think I'll need to move it down because the Bettas and the Rasboras and taking quite an interest in it also.

I figured 100 or so MTS in a 50 gallon wouldn't be too much considering what I've heard as far as how many other people have in their tanks but I'll be trying to find homes for some locally to thin the herd.

wendyjo · 06-20-2012, 02:36 AM

Mine find the food no matter where I put it, and those suckers can move fast too when they know food is nearby.

06-17-2012, 04:38 PM	#1
Jayme Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Woodburn, Oregon Posts: 276	Feeding bottom feeders with MTS in tank I'm noticing a growing problem in my tank. I want to make sure my Corys and Otos are getting enough to eat but shortly after I put the food in it's covered with MTS and they don't seem to try very hard to butt in and get to it. I bought some glass petri dishes and I put pieces of Rapashy Soilent Green and also Hikari algae wafers in them but the snails just hop on in and cover the food. I also put a piece of cucumber with a weight on it that the Otos have enjoyed in the past and I've only seen the MTS on that as well. I was thinking about trying to find a little suction cup soap holder or something for the bath and putting the petri dish in there up above the substrate but I'm not sure if the Corys would be up for finding it and getting in to eat. Does anyone else have this problem and if so what sort of solutions have you found? I should also note this happened in the old tank with filthy old substrate and lots for the MTS to eat and not just this newly set up one with clean sand. Thanks!

06-19-2012, 01:51 PM	#6
acitydweller ओं मणिपद्मे हूं (View User Tanks) PTrader: (123/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,036	If there are that many MTS, you are likely overfeeding. try feeding smaller portions and more infrequently. Another method would be to split the portion into two feeding areas. __________________ Namaste ओं मणिपद्मे हूं My life extends far beyond the limitations of me Keeper of the LIST

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06-17-2012, 04:59 PM	#2
angelsword Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 421	I have the same problem. I haven't come up with a solution though. Your idea of a feeding platform sounds good but it would have to be shaped so that the food didn't just fall off once the fish start eating it.

06-17-2012, 05:46 PM	#3
Edub Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Missouri Posts: 190	Pick out the snails and chuck em. It'll take a few times until you make a dent in the population (if they're like mine haha) but eventually you'll notice less snails competing for the fish's food.

06-18-2012, 02:42 PM	#5
shrimp pliskin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 96	I had a similar issue with MTS covering everything especially the babies. I had to set up lettuce traps and start feeding the fish less.

06-20-2012, 02:30 AM	#7
Jayme Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Woodburn, Oregon Posts: 276	Well for now I got a suction cup soap holder and put a glass petri dish with Repashy Soilent Green in it. So far 2 Otos and 2 Corys have found their way in to eat and it's about 9 inches off the substrate. I think I'll need to move it down because the Bettas and the Rasboras and taking quite an interest in it also. I figured 100 or so MTS in a 50 gallon wouldn't be too much considering what I've heard as far as how many other people have in their tanks but I'll be trying to find homes for some locally to thin the herd.

06-20-2012, 02:36 AM	#8
wendyjo Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: DC area Posts: 2,814	Mine find the food no matter where I put it, and those suckers can move fast too when they know food is nearby.