What is considered over feeding

[Marchillo]

if I am feeding 3 times a day in small portions - flakes, pellets, and frozen and they eat every last bite is that considered over feeding?

I have a bunch of piggy fish in my tank. I have a lingering algae problem due to an auto feeder mishap a few months back but prior to that I didn't have algae issues. I just don't think I should limit feeding if they eat everything.

I am using gfo now to try and clear the issue.

Thoughts?

[scooter31707]

IMO, overfeeding is when you put in too much food at one time, meaning if the food reaches the sandbed, than that's overfeeding. Also when you see a spike in nirates and phosphates. Just my 2 cents, but you will hear a lot of different opinions on this subject. I also feed 3x a day, only for 30-45 seconds each feeding.

[ca1ore]

As long as you don't have food floating around the tank you're good. I feed my tank 4 times a day with all food consumed within about 30 seconds (except for the nori course which takes about 2 minutes). Remember that the build up of nutrients like nitrate and phosphate is a function of input/export. Too many fish, thus too much input food will do it; but so will inadequate export mechanisms. Thus, nitrates and phosphates isn't necessarily a function if just 'over feeding'.

[Marchillo]

Great this is what I figured. My problem I believe was from a single mishap and I'm working on correcting it. Food does not last long in my tank either so I think I'm good there.

I appreciate the quick feedback.

[heathlindner25]

Overfeeding to me is when you can't control nitrates or phosphates, some people are allowed to feed extremely heavy while other people can't.

[hkgar]

I think that Nitrate and Phosphate issues are more a function of how may fish you have. Sure you can over feed and have wasted food, but the CUC will usually take care of that. The food has phosphates and it gets into the water either without the fish ingesting it or after they ingest, digest and then poop it out. The PO4 is introduced from the food and needs to be exported via water change, GFO, carbon dosing or Algae Scrubber.

I have a lot of fish in my 180 and run GFO, Algae Scrubber and dose vinegar, plus I have an auto water change running and PO4 stays at about .02 to .03. I change GFO when it gets to .03. Nitrates hang at about 2

[heathlindner25]

Originally Posted by hkgar

I think that Nitrate and Phosphate issues are more a function of how may fish you have. Sure you can over feed and have wasted food, but the CUC will usually take care of that. The food has phosphates and it gets into the water either without the fish ingesting it or after they ingest, digest and then poop it out. The PO4 is introduced from the food and needs to be exported via water change, GFO, carbon dosing or Algae Scrubber.

I have a lot of fish in my 180 and run GFO, Algae Scrubber and dose vinegar, plus I have an auto water change running and PO4 stays at about .02 to .03. I change GFO when it gets to .03. Nitrates hang at about 2

Ya, so in my opinion you are not over stocked.... I say put them in there till they bump into each other ,without aggression ..lol as long as no3 and PO4 are in check.

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by heathlindner25

Ya, so in my opinion you are not over stocked.... I say put them in there till they bump into each other ,without aggression ..lol as long as no3 and PO4 are in check.

I don't think I am overstocked either, just need to add a lot of PO4 to keep them all well fed (that reduces aggression and territorial fights. I feed 6 grams of frozen home made food (6 pm), 3 grams (1 ring) New Era Marine Grazer (about noon), 7 sq inches of Nori (4pm), one pinch of flake and 1 pinch of pellets daily (2 pm).

[heathlindner25]

Originally Posted by hkgar

I don't think I am overstocked either, just need to add a lot of PO4 to keep them all well fed (that reduces aggression and territorial fights. I feed 6 grams of frozen home made food (6 pm), 3 grams (1 ring) New Era Marine Grazer (about noon), 7 sq inches of Nori (4pm), one pinch of flake and 1 pinch of pellets daily (2 pm).

I am currently running a 40 breeder acro dominant tank with a black spot Leopard, Blue Star leopard,twistii wrasse, dusky wrasse,3 red firefish, a sunburst anthias,barbershop goby, psychedelic Mandarin,and a Yashi.... I feed heavy I skim heavy and I vodka dose. No3: 2-3 ppm, Po4: undetectable on Salifert.... no aggression, so in my opinion I am not overstocked.

[shyerdj]

i believe you will know when you are over feeding when phos, nitrate and nitrite is gone up and algae is growing everywhere.

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by heathlindner25

Overfeeding to me is when you can't control nitrates or phosphates, some people are allowed to feed extremely heavy while other people can't.

As I noted earlier, it's about what you put in and what you take out. Even a few fish, sparingly fed in a large tank can be problematic if the export mechanisms are inadequate. Likewise a sizable fish population, fed frequently, will be fine if the export mechanisms are adequate. Rising nitrate/phosphate levels means you tank is out of balance; so either reduce the bio-load or increase the export. Simple in concept; not always so in practice though.

[laga77]

It would be a safe bet that at least 80% of all tanks are under fed. Most reef fish eat multiple times per day and should be fed that way in our tanks. I have seen many posts where people state they feed once a day or less. It`s all about the export.