Pellets getting stuck in the overflows..

[Mudfrog]

When I try to feed pellets in my 120g they will usually get trapped in the overflow strainer. I guess my fish don't realize they are there so I end up having to net out nasty soggy pellets. Anything I can do to keep this from happening?

 

[tonymofo]

When I try to feed pellets in my 120g they will usually get trapped in the overflow strainer. I guess my fish don't realize they are there so I end up having to net out nasty soggy pellets. Anything I can do to keep this from happening?

I have the same problem in most of my tanks. What I do is use sinking pellets and I put a powerhead near the overflow blowing in the opposite direction to blow the pellets to the other side of the tank. Other than that I just use sinking pellets.

 

[Mudfrog]

I've got overflow in both back corners so that wouldn't work. I guess I can just unplug the pump but not really what I want to do each time I feed. I do use sinking pellets for my bottom dwellers but I'd like to be able to feed my little cichlids the cichlid gold and I don't think thats available in a sinking pellet.

 

[tonymofo]

I've got overflow in both back corners so that wouldn't work. I guess I can just unplug the pump but not really what I want to do each time I feed. I do use sinking pellets for my bottom dwellers but I'd like to be able to feed my little cichlids the cichlid gold and I don't think thats available in a sinking pellet.

Yeah they do have cichlid gold sinking. It comes in a blue bag!!!!

 

[Bderick67]

I use a plastic plant. Weave the plant in and out of the overflow slots, this keeps the pellets suspended in the plant and the fish are to retrieve most of them.

 

[tonymofo]

Cichlid Gold Sinking

 

[Mudfrog]

Cichlid Gold Sinking

I did not know that

Now to see if any LFS sell it.

 

[polish]

Can you put some plastic mesh over the over flows?

 

[Oddball]

Depending on the tank/fish size, I use feeding rings in reverse. A feeding ring is normally used in ponds to keep floating foods from entering the skimmer. Floating food is placed in the middle of the ring and stays there until the fish have eaten it. I snip the rings to the size of my overflows and make a cofferdam barrier that keeps floating food outside of the ring and away from the overflows.