OCEAN NUTRITION

QUESTIONS & TIPS

General Questions

How to Hatch Brine Shrimp
For details on how to hatch brine shrimp: View PDF | Download PDF
Do I need to remove the carbon from my filter when using Betta Spa?

It is recommended to remove carbon filtration when using Betta Spa. Use of betta spa with activated carbon filtration will diminish effects and you will need to increase dosage.

What is the best way to feed my fish?
How you feed your fish can vary greatly depending up on the variety of fish you are attempting to feed, and the kind of Ocean Nutrition food that you are offering (flakes, pellets, wafers, or frozen cubes). For example, a predatory marine fish (i.e., a lionfish) that can gulp down large pieces of food should be fed differently than a community coral reef aquarium in which the fish might prefer smaller bits of food. We recommend following the feeding directions on our online product pages and/or product packaging. Be sure to check out our “Feeding Frenzy” Feeding Accessories, which are useful tools for reducing waste and stimulating natural feeding behaviors in many kinds of fish. If you have questions on how to feed a particular species of fish, see our Feeding Guides for Freshwater Species/Marine Species or just e-mail us!

Frozen Products

What is gel binder and why do you use it?

The new Frozen Formula Foods™ binder which is a unique combination of cross-linked ingredients of both marine and plant origin is 95% digestible and contains soluble dietary fiber, which replaced traditional hard fibrous ingredients that are nutritionally disadvantageous.

The combination of these three binders creates a new hydrocolloid binding gelling system that is a good stabilizer. It holds particles together without disintegration, but at the same time maintains the quality and individual property of each ingredient in the product. Our formulas have a unique floating/sinking ratio that enables them to be used both as a floating and sinking food source.

Trace particles of the binders dissolve slowly, leaving no residue in the aquarium that would cause water pollution or aquatic toxicity, therefore, reducing the mortality rate. The water soluble polysaccharide that we use in our binding system offers an excellent immune enhancing component, as well as an anti-inflammatory effect that helps promote health of the fish.

Is it harmful to feed my fish frozen food while it is still frozen?

It is not harmful to feed your fish frozen fish food while it is still frozen. In fact our frozen cubes are designed to be fed to fish while they are still frozen. Our formula foods have a unique floating/sinking ratio that enables them to be used both as floating and sinking food source, allowing fish to feed at there natural levels in the aquarium.

What do I do if my frozen fish food thaws out?

Remember that all frozen foods are perishable and can spoil quickly if thawed. Spoiled foods can be toxic to aquarium animals.

Frozen food that has thawed can be safely refrozen if: a.) the food still contains ice crystals, or b.) the food is cold to the touch and has been kept below 45°F for less than two hours. If the food has thawed completely and the temperature has risen above 45°F, throw it out! Use common sense: If any food have a foul or questionable odor, do not feed them to your fish! Ocean Nutrition™ is not responsible for replacing frozen products that have thawed due to improper storage or handling.

Dry Products

How long can I continue to feed flakes or pellets after I open them?

Our Ocean Nutrition formulated pellets and flakes generally do not spoil unless excess moisture gets into the container (from wet hands, splashing, etc.). As long as product smells good and has no visible mold or bacteria growing on it, the fish should eat it.

Keep in mind, however, that dry foods lose their freshness after they are opened because air oxidizes nutrients found in the food. Vitamins, proteins, etc., begin to break down as soon as the package seal is broken. Vitamin C, for example, loses approximately 50% of its potency every 30 days. This being said, you can see why it is a good practice to buy only what your fish can eat in a 30 to 60 day period. Purchasing larger containers may leave a little extra in your wallet but not much is gained for the fish. We recommend keeping dry products in a cool, dry place to help preserve them longer after they have been opened.