My flakes are 39% protein, and my pellets are 30%, so I'll stick to the flakes. The problem with my pellets is that they are too big for the fish to eat, but if I crush them to a more manageable size, then they sink. So far I have noticed that the PS will eat off the surface or throught the water column, but as soon as something hits the bottom, they lose interest.
I'm planning to order an automatic feeder, because im not home enough to feed them more than once or twice a day. I found one on Amazon that will feed four times a day. I'll also turn the heater up to 77, I think the water was at 74 today.