What is the best food for Corals?

TurboRobert · 07/27/2008, 10:16 PM

I have been wondering what everyone uses to increase the growth rate of their corals.

What do

Zoos?

Acros?

and any various corals like best when it comes to growth.

I have read that some people feed per polyp but they didn't say what it was.

This would be a good thread for many.

Please Help.

kau_cinta_ku · 07/27/2008, 10:19 PM

acros eat zooplankton along with many other SPS corals.

as for the other corals I will put in some cyclopeeze and mysis shrimp for the fish and the corals get what they can catch. I have never really spot fed.

crsswift70 · 07/27/2008, 10:21 PM

light

TurboRobert · 07/27/2008, 10:32 PM

I have plenty of light but I just want to see growth. What is the best zooplankton?

OAD · 07/27/2008, 10:33 PM

I feed:
Coral Frenzy (the tank goes apes)
Roti-Feast on occasion
Arcti-Pods
Silversides + PE Mysis

centipede · 07/27/2008, 10:37 PM

I feed my corals fish poop. They love it!

crsswift70 · 07/27/2008, 10:40 PM

OK, well other than light, i use reef chili for the SPS and polyps. I feed the LPS pellets, mysis and brine shrimp (whichever one i'm treating the fish to). I have my own mix of chopped seafood that i feed the fish with normally. I'm sure some of that makes it to the corals as well.

jpitts101 · 07/27/2008, 10:40 PM

i second the poop!! I've never fed a coral in my tank, just the fish.

weluvfish54 · 07/27/2008, 10:54 PM

dts

gulfstream · 07/27/2008, 11:20 PM

Coral food can be
Reefroids,Phytoplacton,cyclopeeze.
To name a few....However keep in mind lights,calcium,magnessium
etc.......Just food alone won't make corals grow faster.

TurboRobert · 07/27/2008, 11:24 PM

I my chemistry and Lighting to the T but I was just wondering how well the corals grew with certain foods and patterns. Over feeding can harm the tank and kill the corals. If anyone could tell me how much they feed or how often it would also be helpful. Pics of growth from this process would be great.

abulgin · 07/28/2008, 05:32 AM

I don't think you're going to get what you ask for, at least in any reliable form. Growth depends just as much, if not more on lighting--both intensity and color--so food is just one piece.

That said, I broadcast feed my SPS Golden Pearls 5-50 (1 scoop about 1-2 times per week). I never feed the few mushrooms I have. I feed my Candy Canes thawed mysis soaked in Selcon once or twice per week. Many LPS need to be fed weekly--I almost killed my Open Brain because I listened to someone tell me "all it needs is light." Common sense should have dictated--"then why does it have sweeper tenticals?" I feed the Open Brain silversides soaked in Selcon. I feed my Duncans mysis, black worms and silversides. I feed my Capnella Cyclop-eeze.

Just remember--there are as many coral foods out there as there are opinions on Reef Central. Just buy a few you read about (that's how I started using Golden Pearls) and see how your corals respond. Keep in mind that SPS need very small particle size (which is why I like Golden Pearls 5-50 micron).

TurboRobert · 07/28/2008, 02:12 PM

Thanks for your reply abulgin. That is more the answer I was looking for. Golden Pearls is a first for me. I have never heard of them before. Is it a common food in the LFS or is it one that I have to special order.

My question to food is because I have lost some very expensive SPS as they slowly die with polyp extension. I have three MH 250 watt bulbs and 4 VHOs. Lighting is not the reason for their death. I have two Korilia 4's and a Great skimmer. Also I have a geo calcium reactor.

abulgin · 07/28/2008, 02:17 PM

http://www.brineshrimpdirect.com/c11...-Diet-c32.html

I bought the 11 oz package, and they sent me two 6 oz jars that contains enough food to last a lifetime. You might want to try the 5oz jar first.

reefworm · 07/28/2008, 03:28 PM

Eric Borneman's fish and coral food recipe:
http://www.reefchat.org/Library/Arti...od-Recipe.aspx

abulgin · 07/28/2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefworm
Eric Borneman's fish and coral food recipe:
http://www.reefchat.org/Library/Arti...od-Recipe.aspx

I have tried this, but my experience is that you can't get the particles small enough for SPS. I blended, blended, blended, but still not small enough.

TurboRobert · 07/28/2008, 08:09 PM

I am totally going to try it out. You say it lasts forever... Does it have an expiration date? About how much do you use per scoop?

OAD · 07/28/2008, 08:12 PM

Also interested. What kind of changes have you noticed abulgin?

abulgin · 07/28/2008, 08:24 PM

I use one scoop for my 110g. I turn my return pump off and just let my power heads do the work for about 1/2 hour. I just got this product 2 weeks ago so I can't say whether it's a huge hit but I read a lot of reviews on Reef Central from people who were really happy.

I'm sure it expires after a while, but I personally feel that this freeze dried stuff lasts a long time if you keep it in the refrigerator. Again, though, the 5oz jar will be plenty for a long time.

07/27/2008, 10:16 PM	#1
TurboRobert Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wall, NJ Posts: 70	What is the best food for Corals? I have been wondering what everyone uses to increase the growth rate of their corals. What do Zoos? Acros? and any various corals like best when it comes to growth. I have read that some people feed per polyp but they didn't say what it was. This would be a good thread for many. Please Help.

07/27/2008, 10:40 PM	#8
jpitts101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ardmore Posts: 1,176	i second the poop!! I've never fed a coral in my tank, just the fish. __________________ J.D. Pitts when in doubt pull it out!!!! Current Tank Info: 180 sps dominant

07/27/2008, 11:20 PM	#10
gulfstream Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa,Ontario.Canada Posts: 110	food. Coral food can be Reefroids,Phytoplacton,cyclopeeze. To name a few....However keep in mind lights,calcium,magnessium etc.......Just food alone won't make corals grow faster.

07/28/2008, 05:32 AM	#12
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	I don't think you're going to get what you ask for, at least in any reliable form. Growth depends just as much, if not more on lighting--both intensity and color--so food is just one piece. That said, I broadcast feed my SPS Golden Pearls 5-50 (1 scoop about 1-2 times per week). I never feed the few mushrooms I have. I feed my Candy Canes thawed mysis soaked in Selcon once or twice per week. Many LPS need to be fed weekly--I almost killed my Open Brain because I listened to someone tell me "all it needs is light." Common sense should have dictated--"then why does it have sweeper tenticals?" I feed the Open Brain silversides soaked in Selcon. I feed my Duncans mysis, black worms and silversides. I feed my Capnella Cyclop-eeze. Just remember--there are as many coral foods out there as there are opinions on Reef Central. Just buy a few you read about (that's how I started using Golden Pearls) and see how your corals respond. Keep in mind that SPS need very small particle size (which is why I like Golden Pearls 5-50 micron). Last edited by abulgin; 07/28/2008 at 05:46 AM.

07/28/2008, 03:28 PM	#15
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	Eric Borneman's fish and coral food recipe: http://www.reefchat.org/Library/Arti...od-Recipe.aspx __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

07/27/2008, 10:19 PM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	acros eat zooplankton along with many other SPS corals. as for the other corals I will put in some cyclopeeze and mysis shrimp for the fish and the corals get what they can catch. I have never really spot fed.

07/27/2008, 10:21 PM	#3
crsswift70 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Spanish Fort, AL Posts: 1,032	light

07/27/2008, 10:32 PM	#4
TurboRobert Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wall, NJ Posts: 70	I have plenty of light but I just want to see growth. What is the best zooplankton?

07/27/2008, 10:33 PM	#5
OAD Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 507	I feed: Coral Frenzy (the tank goes apes) Roti-Feast on occasion Arcti-Pods Silversides + PE Mysis

07/27/2008, 10:37 PM	#6
centipede Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 35	I feed my corals fish poop. They love it!

07/27/2008, 10:54 PM	#9
weluvfish54 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: inland empire Posts: 771	dts

07/27/2008, 11:24 PM	#11
TurboRobert Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wall, NJ Posts: 70	I my chemistry and Lighting to the T but I was just wondering how well the corals grew with certain foods and patterns. Over feeding can harm the tank and kill the corals. If anyone could tell me how much they feed or how often it would also be helpful. Pics of growth from this process would be great.

07/28/2008, 02:12 PM	#13
TurboRobert Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wall, NJ Posts: 70	Thanks for your reply abulgin. That is more the answer I was looking for. Golden Pearls is a first for me. I have never heard of them before. Is it a common food in the LFS or is it one that I have to special order. My question to food is because I have lost some very expensive SPS as they slowly die with polyp extension. I have three MH 250 watt bulbs and 4 VHOs. Lighting is not the reason for their death. I have two Korilia 4's and a Great skimmer. Also I have a geo calcium reactor.

07/28/2008, 02:17 PM	#14
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	http://www.brineshrimpdirect.com/c11...-Diet-c32.html I bought the 11 oz package, and they sent me two 6 oz jars that contains enough food to last a lifetime. You might want to try the 5oz jar first.

07/28/2008, 08:09 PM	#17
TurboRobert Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wall, NJ Posts: 70	I am totally going to try it out. You say it lasts forever... Does it have an expiration date? About how much do you use per scoop?

07/28/2008, 08:12 PM	#18
OAD Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 507	Also interested. What kind of changes have you noticed abulgin?

07/28/2008, 08:24 PM	#19
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	I use one scoop for my 110g. I turn my return pump off and just let my power heads do the work for about 1/2 hour. I just got this product 2 weeks ago so I can't say whether it's a huge hit but I read a lot of reviews on Reef Central from people who were really happy. I'm sure it expires after a while, but I personally feel that this freeze dried stuff lasts a long time if you keep it in the refrigerator. Again, though, the 5oz jar will be plenty for a long time.