Storing Fish Food Pellets

[Hamish]

Hi all,

I purchased a 15kg sack of fish food pellets a couple of days ago.

Speaking to the guy at the warehouse he said the food will keep for 12 months in a fridge or indefinitly if kept in a freezer.

I only have a small freezer on top of my fridge so I started thinking about how to store this big sack of food.

Breaking it into smaller containers to stack in the freezer seemed like the way to go. Also makes for easier feeding out from small containers.

So again started thinking about what containers to use that wouldnt cost me anything.

Came up with the idea of using plastic milk bottles. I had 2 x 3L bottles that I rescued from the recycling bin - and a few 2L bottles as well. Plus a couple from the cupboard and a couple from the neighbours.

Filled them using a large plastic funnel that I cut down so the neck was shorter (to stop the pellets clogging in the funnel neck).

Use a cup to scoop them from the sack into the funnel until the bottles were all full then screw the lid on.

Then stacked them in the freezer. Neat and tidy - and easy to feed from as well.

Making use of waste bottles is fun. I hope this tip helps someone.

[DaveOponic]

I use bottles to store my fish pellets. The V8 vegetable juice bottle is a good size. I never thought of recycling milk cartons. Probably because there would be too much rinsing involved. I used to use them for seedlings by cutting the tops off and filing them with compost.

I have now started using coconut husks as we have a small stall near our house that sells "kelapa parut" fresh grated coconut. They sell the husks in 20 kg rice bags. Most people here grow orchids in the coconut fibre.

Dave

[Hamish]

I had never thought of using the bottles for seedlings - great idea! And also good idea using the more robust fruit juice bottles. Although I dont buy fruit juice but others will find this useful. Recycling and reusing things is great - especially when you find something that almost seems made for its second use. I also use coconut coir - it is really good stuff.

[djs-sa]

what food are u using hamish?

I wouldnt freeze any pellet food, do u buy it out of the freezer, no !!!

So a cool dry place like what i use is an old fridge (notworking) and i have room for plenty of feed. stable temp too

The lauke pellet tho, they need freezing to stay together because there cheap and nasty.

[Hamish]

It is grobest pellet. I have kept all my food in the freezer since I started in AP and it works well for me.

I purchased direct from growbest so I figure they would know how best to store their product.

They store it in a giant refrigerated container - but say freezing is even better for long term storage.

The farm where I purchased my Jades also recommend keeping the food in the freezer.

[djs-sa]

well I just checked with the grobest label and it has nothing about storage,
At the hatery they have a cool room set-up but it has no refridgeration!
can u please check hamish that they actually do chill their food, or at the fish farm that they do frezze it?

Reason of my doubt is the cost to running freezer's and etc. on that scale.

at the farm where i get my food their storage room is past the tanks and when u enter the storage room it feels cool because the tank area is heated, but no refridge. unit

this is my food supplies

[Hamish]

Yes I saw with my own 2 eyes the fridge and freezers they use at the hatchery. And I spoke to the owner of growbest and he recommended to freeze for long term storage.

But then whatever works for you. I guess it depends how quick you use them as to how fresh they stay.

I am freezing because I dont know how fast I will use up the 15kg bag.

[djs-sa]

hamish i'm wondering if ur climate up there plays a roll with frezzing it?

the power costs would be large for not much benefit, can't saw it vaible to me

[djs-sa]

whos the contact at grobest i might contact him and see

[djs-sa]

well mine is in the fridge and freezer so i'm sweet just not plugged in lol

did u get a 15kg bag Hamish? I get 25kg bags and guess what size their web says? 20kg bags lol

for ur amount hamish its ok to freeze it but i just can't get my head around the power useage on large scale operations