G
Guest
Guest
How long can you keep flake food before it loses nutritional value?
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an interest in aquariums or fish keeping!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
tropicfishman
Aquarium Advice Addict
honestly it last forever, flake food is like twinkies, it will last forever and survive anything, I've bought coffee can sized containers of fish food and had it for over a year and it was still fresh as the day I bought it, I hopnestly don't think it goes bad lol
rich311k
Aquarium Advice Addict
I try to never use it for more than 6 months after I open it. I have read in magazines and on line that once dried food is opened it loses it nutritional value after 6 months or so.
QTOFFER
Aquarium Advice Addict
Two things happen to fish food once it's open: oxidation and accumulation of moisture.
You can't see the effects of oxidation, but be assured that it robs food of flavor and nutrition.
To be safe, I would toss food that has been open for more than a year. If it's in a vacuum sealed can that has never been opened, it is good for several years.
Oh, and tropicfishman is right about Twinkies. They're so full of chemicals that they never go bad...which is why I don't eat them anymore!
You can't see the effects of oxidation, but be assured that it robs food of flavor and nutrition.
To be safe, I would toss food that has been open for more than a year. If it's in a vacuum sealed can that has never been opened, it is good for several years.
Oh, and tropicfishman is right about Twinkies. They're so full of chemicals that they never go bad...which is why I don't eat them anymore!
CompMage
Aquarium Advice Freak
IMO, flakes are bad when you buy them.
But, moisture is a major problem since most people store the fish food by the fish tank that filled with water around 78-80 F and making anything around it humid.
I got around the problem by using the Tetra pro flakes. Much thinker and less messy in the tank. And storing everything in a air-tight canister set I had free.
1 month is all the longer I would keep normal flakes for. 4 tanks later I'm happy if I can keep food around for them that long.
But, moisture is a major problem since most people store the fish food by the fish tank that filled with water around 78-80 F and making anything around it humid.
I got around the problem by using the Tetra pro flakes. Much thinker and less messy in the tank. And storing everything in a air-tight canister set I had free.
1 month is all the longer I would keep normal flakes for. 4 tanks later I'm happy if I can keep food around for them that long.
OP
OP
Guest
Guest
I was worried because I got a can in August and still have it. It lasts so long because I vary the diet and dont feed flakes every day, and when I do, it's small pinches.
joannde
Aquarium Advice Addict
I only buy the smallest containers of flakes foods because I was concerned about shelf life after opening also.
I do wonder about the freshness of some of the other foods I have - pellets, freeze dried bloodworms and baby shrimp, etc. Some of those aren't available in smaller sizes and I really hate to waste it.
I do wonder about the freshness of some of the other foods I have - pellets, freeze dried bloodworms and baby shrimp, etc. Some of those aren't available in smaller sizes and I really hate to waste it.
Jchillin
Aquarium Advice Addict
Good idea!
But, storing food on top of the lights is also not a good idea! The lights warm the food. I can't remember exactly what happens to it from there, but I do remember it being discussed in a conference lecture and being warned against it.
But, storing food on top of the lights is also not a good idea! The lights warm the food. I can't remember exactly what happens to it from there, but I do remember it being discussed in a conference lecture and being warned against it.
Jchillin
Aquarium Advice Addict
LOL, the jar was placed there for posing only. It is stored in another location. My wife would kill me if I left food on top of the light strip. 
rhansme
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I put my flake food in plastic baggies stored in the freezer and return them after every feeding.
Jchillin
Aquarium Advice Addict
No problem Mosaic, your observation is sound. Since glass can conduct heat pretty well, the food within the container will definitely be affected.
7Enigma
Aquarium Advice Addict
Moisture is definately the worst affector of shelf life. Most flake foods have dessicant packets that remove moisture. In order for these to be effective you need to keep the containers sealed at all times. Even a day or two uncovered might be enough to let moisture spoil the food. I've had my Big Al's staple flake food since late-January of this year and it has no moisture yet. I plan on using it for quite a while. I will put in another order for a replacement next time I'm ordering from Big Al's however..
hc8719
Aquarium Advice Addict
7Enigma said:
you must be buying top notch food, ive only ever had moisture packets in freeze dried brine shrimp and tubifex cans
7Enigma
Aquarium Advice Addict
hc8719 said:
Big Al's big bag of staple flake food. 1/2 pound for $4.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18349/si1381862/cl0/bigals12lbstapleflakefood
Similar threads
