Coral Feeding

Mr Neon · 02/01/2013, 12:45 PM

I am curious after reading quite a few threads on RC regarding the feeding habits and patterns of those keeping corals. Mostly softies and LPS in particular about feeding and growth rates.

I have had my 60 for awhile now and it is stocked pretty well. Zoas, mushrooms, GSP, YSP, buttons, palys, dendros, duncans, ect...just recently introduced blastos and acans...I having fun with the amount of color and diversity of what I can keep. I also have 6 fish and one shrimp and a RTBA. I run 120watts of leds spectrum light and run a simple sump.

MY feeding habits are just once a day with a mix of either Reef Chilli, Rods, Mysis shrimp or homemade squid food. I usually put in about a nickle sized portion of Rods with a scoop or 2 of Reef Chilli or feed a half cube of shrimp instead of Rods. It is usually mixed on different days as I never really have any particular day I feed each brand. I have been doing this ever since day one with no dosing or any supplements added. I changed the water once a month with RO/DI. I run a bare bottom tank and I have no fuge just live rock in the sump and an SCA-302 skimmer. My parameters are all in check and rarely if at all move. I have had zero Nitrate and Phosphates pretty much from the start. I have had great growth and color with really no issues.

My questions is that all my coral grow but lately it seems that it is stunted or kinda on hold. No, I have added more coral through out the months from 1 to 4 pieces at a time but nothing that I would think cause issues with growth. Nothing is going bad, all things check, color is never better it is just growth rate. I know some coral grow slower than others but it seems everything has kinda slowed. Mostly my zoas and mushrooms since they were the fastest of all corals growing.

What I am getting at and wondering is if the amount that I have been feeding daily may not be enough nutrients for the amount of corals I have, plus the fish. (Fish are small, clowns, damsel, wrasse) My skimmer pulls good but nothing like it did when the tank was new. I got dark, filthy skim mate in the beginning but now I get maybe half of that. Could that be related to pulling out too much nutrients? I figured I could step up the feedings and go twice daily but just want an opinion on others who may have a large amount of coral in their tank and how they feed.

I seemed to rule out all other factors and I keep coming up with not enough food or feedings per say....

Saltydrip · 02/01/2013, 03:42 PM

Bump..

I'm also curious. I have bumped up feeding to "dirty" up my tank because it has been too clean and want to get things growing since I have mostly just frags on my tank. I don't feed every day because I'm still nervous about having another algae bloom, it got out of hand fast last time!!

NeilFox · 02/01/2013, 07:22 PM

I don't think you need to feed the corals more. For that size of tank it would seem you have plenty of food. You say you change the water once a month. How much? Do you dose anything?

Mr Neon · 02/01/2013, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilFox

I don't think you need to feed the corals more. For that size of tank it would seem you have plenty of food. You say you change the water once a month. How much? Do you dose anything?

I change about 8 to 10 gallons once a month. I always done this with great results in regards to parameters. I do not dose anything, never saw the need to supplement. I have no algae issues.

I turn off my vortex pump while feeding but leave the main and skimmer on for a few hours. Everything during feeding comes alive for the most part but then the growth seems stalled.

I just think multiple feedings may be beneficial. Once in the mornings and in the late afternoon is what will work with my schedule.

kissman · 02/01/2013, 08:18 PM

Have you tested Calcium, Alk and Mag? LPS and Softies don't need any where near as much as SPS but still need them to grow

Mr Neon · 02/01/2013, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kissman

Have you tested Calcium, Alk and Mag? LPS and Softies don't need any where near as much as SPS but still need them to grow

480 to 500 average monthly Calcium
1400 - 1500 average Mag

kissman · 02/01/2013, 09:46 PM

Alk? NO3? PO4?

Mr Neon · 02/01/2013, 10:59 PM

Alk 8

Phos 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0

NeilFox · 02/02/2013, 01:24 AM

Your parameters seem good. Almost too good! Have you tried doseing a little strontium. I am old school but I still think this is effective. I don't think you can test for it but if you do dose and follow the instructions you may see some results. I am not sure why but I don't hear much mention of strontium nowadays. I credit it with bringing back an Elegance that I had in 1989, that as far as I know is still alive today...

02/01/2013, 12:45 PM	#1
Mr Neon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 323	Coral Feeding I am curious after reading quite a few threads on RC regarding the feeding habits and patterns of those keeping corals. Mostly softies and LPS in particular about feeding and growth rates. I have had my 60 for awhile now and it is stocked pretty well. Zoas, mushrooms, GSP, YSP, buttons, palys, dendros, duncans, ect...just recently introduced blastos and acans...I having fun with the amount of color and diversity of what I can keep. I also have 6 fish and one shrimp and a RTBA. I run 120watts of leds spectrum light and run a simple sump. MY feeding habits are just once a day with a mix of either Reef Chilli, Rods, Mysis shrimp or homemade squid food. I usually put in about a nickle sized portion of Rods with a scoop or 2 of Reef Chilli or feed a half cube of shrimp instead of Rods. It is usually mixed on different days as I never really have any particular day I feed each brand. I have been doing this ever since day one with no dosing or any supplements added. I changed the water once a month with RO/DI. I run a bare bottom tank and I have no fuge just live rock in the sump and an SCA-302 skimmer. My parameters are all in check and rarely if at all move. I have had zero Nitrate and Phosphates pretty much from the start. I have had great growth and color with really no issues. My questions is that all my coral grow but lately it seems that it is stunted or kinda on hold. No, I have added more coral through out the months from 1 to 4 pieces at a time but nothing that I would think cause issues with growth. Nothing is going bad, all things check, color is never better it is just growth rate. I know some coral grow slower than others but it seems everything has kinda slowed. Mostly my zoas and mushrooms since they were the fastest of all corals growing. What I am getting at and wondering is if the amount that I have been feeding daily may not be enough nutrients for the amount of corals I have, plus the fish. (Fish are small, clowns, damsel, wrasse) My skimmer pulls good but nothing like it did when the tank was new. I got dark, filthy skim mate in the beginning but now I get maybe half of that. Could that be related to pulling out too much nutrients? I figured I could step up the feedings and go twice daily but just want an opinion on others who may have a large amount of coral in their tank and how they feed. I seemed to rule out all other factors and I keep coming up with not enough food or feedings per say....

02/01/2013, 03:42 PM	#2
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	Bump.. I'm also curious. I have bumped up feeding to "dirty" up my tank because it has been too clean and want to get things growing since I have mostly just frags on my tank. I don't feed every day because I'm still nervous about having another algae bloom, it got out of hand fast last time!! __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

02/01/2013, 07:22 PM	#3
NeilFox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DuPont, WA Posts: 947	I don't think you need to feed the corals more. For that size of tank it would seem you have plenty of food. You say you change the water once a month. How much? Do you dose anything?

02/01/2013, 08:18 PM	#5
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	Have you tested Calcium, Alk and Mag? LPS and Softies don't need any where near as much as SPS but still need them to grow

02/01/2013, 09:46 PM	#7
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	Alk? NO3? PO4?

02/01/2013, 10:59 PM	#8
Mr Neon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 323	Alk 8 Phos 0 Nitrate 0 Nitrite 0

02/02/2013, 01:24 AM	#9
NeilFox Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DuPont, WA Posts: 947	Your parameters seem good. Almost too good! Have you tried doseing a little strontium. I am old school but I still think this is effective. I don't think you can test for it but if you do dose and follow the instructions you may see some results. I am not sure why but I don't hear much mention of strontium nowadays. I credit it with bringing back an Elegance that I had in 1989, that as far as I know is still alive today...