Why are flake foods bad for salt water tanks?

[chris009]

I tried to research this, but I couldn't find any concrete answers. THanks.

 

[nwdyr]

I feed flake food as a treat a couple tiimes a week , never had a prob

 

[dragonboy]

I think because they break apart and dissolve in the water so they pollute the water much quicker.

 

[socal57che]

Many contain phosphates. (algae meal, kelp)
Processing foods reduces the nutritional value.
Read the ingredients. Fish do not naturally feed on rice, soybeans, wheat gluten, potato protein, dried yeast, blue dye#2, red dye #3, yellow dyes #5 & #6, not to mention ethoxyquin preservative. (what exactly is that crud?)

 

[socal57che]

I just googled the stuff.
Wacko-pedia says...
"There has been some speculation that ethoxyquin in pet foods might be responsible for certain health problems. To date, the US FDA has only found a verifiable connection between ethoxyquin and buildup of protoporphyrin IX in the liver, as well as elevations in liver-related enzymes in some animals. It has been shown to cause mortality in fish."
It's the last sentence that got my attention.

 

[fattony]

Yes.. to valid reasons. Ethoxyquin is harmful... but the major reason is Phosphates. The flake food is LOADED with phosphates. Not only does it contain items that already have high levels of phosphates naturally (ie nori/seaweed) but they add phosphates for binders and preservatives.
Personally I only used Rods in my tank..

 

[bang guy]

All fish food is loaded with Phosphates. IMO the problem is that flaked food releases the nutrients, including phosphates, directly into the water column very quickly. If it's dissolving into the water then it's not going into your fish.