My new mushrooms, and My 1 flake a day method!

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 06:56 PM

Well, through out time, many people have been questioning how are my clown fish living if i only feed them 1 flake a day? I have done this for the past 8 months. Now lets see how they are.

My Big One.

My Small one.

Now Both together.

Those stomaches dont look "Pinched" to me

Ok, and now i was wondering how are my mushrooms doing? I had to move them from the first spot even though it looks better there because of the current hitting them, but im planning on a chnage of all corals, once i get those yellow polyps, and some type of red coral.

-That algae is killing me...

New spot

demonsp · 04/17/2008, 07:01 PM

I see many threads from you and you dont seem to learn from them. Ok your fish which is a omnivore ( meat and veggie eater) may have survived your poor feeding habits but the coral never will. Most like smaller meater bits of frozen and good flow and in a well fead tank they will do fine.1 flake a day is far from a well fead tank.
Save these link for coral care and please ask and research before you add anything for water problems or add any new stock.
Your in for a huge money lose at the rater your going.

http://www.asira.org/caresheets

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 07:03 PM

Im not feeding my mushrooms flakes, im feeding them Live Marine Phytoplankton.

demonsp · 04/17/2008, 07:10 PM

Look at the site i left you and you will never see this added in the feeding needs.None. This may help but they want smaller bits of food that you add for the fish. Thats why you balance the stock slow and easy so as you increase food addeded the other coral will get enough. Also feeding more times a day is great. I feed flake in the morning about waht they can eat in 1 or 2 min then frozen at night what they can eat in 3 or 4 min.Then they need flow so the food source can pass by them a few times for capture.
Im sorry to say but 1 flake a day means your very uneducated of your stocks needs and either dont care or your budget is so tight you cant afford there right diet,if so then back out of the hobby and get a gold fish tank. This is a need to do it right hobby or youllalways spend unneded money and have unwanted problems.

seanb1 · 04/17/2008, 07:19 PM

most people overfeed their fish.

fish dont even get a chance to digest their food, its pushed through them so fast.

but 1 flake a day is rediculous, might as well make them happy in there and let them chow down a couple times a day.

you can easily make up for it with a waterchange every couple weeks.

ive raised alot of types of freshwater fish so i dont really know if this applies to salt.

take a discus for instance, to grow it to its maximum adult size, it must be done within 1 year, so that means feed the crap out of them.
thats hy you very rarely will see a large discus in a home aquarium unless its been raised by a competant breeder and sold as an adult.

most fish in their first year need more vitamins and minerals that they wont use in adult life just to get good bone growth so they can look like the fish they are supposed to look like.

its just better to feed them the routine 3 times a day as much as they will eat in a couple minutes.

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 07:25 PM

ok, ill feed them once in the morning, and once at night. Just trying to keep those nitrates down. I do 2.5 gallons every week too for those nitrates. They are at 10.5 right now. Getting there

demonsp · 04/17/2008, 07:35 PM

Nitrates can be from overfeeding but not in your case. Your pods seen and unseen pods would like food and then the coral will like to eat.Its also best to mix the diet for better results. Cylops works great for pods , coral , and fish but 3 or 4 frozen and then flake and pellet also very usefull. But you need a good mix of CUC and fish and coral and LR and flow and ect.. Its all about control and balance.The more you have the better.
I guess nitrates from water flow or water source or lack of CUC. Can you list these things and get things under control please.Also adding as much tank info in your profile reduces guessing and more related responses. Your here asking so you must care.

Echo'sMom · 04/17/2008, 07:40 PM

Why feed them so little to begin with? Not being rude, just asking?

demonsp · 04/17/2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Echo'sMom
Why feed them so little to begin with? Not being rude, just asking?

He says to control nitrates.This alone means he needs more research on water quality and buy a water test kit with Nitrate,Nitrite,Ammonia,PH,Phospahte,calcium.Alk.,salinity and tempature the start from there.

shleprock30 · 04/17/2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imanz0

Ok, and now i was wondering how are my mushrooms doing? I had to move them from the first spot even though it looks better there because of the current hitting them, but im planning on a chnage of all corals, once i get those yellow polyps, and some type of red coral.

-That algae is killing me...
[/B]

Wow, 1 Flake a day.. That is the equivalant of giving a lab 10 nuggets of food a day.

As far as your nitrates.. 10.5 and? You say you have an algae prob and are making livestock decisions based on color. You might want to be careful with the "yellow polyps" as they might need to be feed everyday.

What is the water source, because food is not your problem...

Man I hope this is a joke....

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 07:55 PM

Ok, well about 2 months back, i had 2 fish die(Came down with an infection), nitrates zoomed up to 35. Then they have been getting lower. Anyway, now

Nitrates-10.5
Nitrites-0
Ammonia-0
Ph-8.3
Salinity-1.24-5
Temp-79.5
24w 10,000K Lamp
24w Actinic 03 Lamp
14 gallon cube
RO/DI Water ONLY

The shop keeper said for the xenia, polyps, and mushrooms i have, those are are all i need. I asked him if i needed calc, alk, or phos tests, and he said if i just stick with softies, like the ones i have, i dont need.

demonsp · 04/17/2008, 07:59 PM

Get rid of the xenia. All readings are important but depnding on stock other might be more important.Its your water readings that help maintan the best water quality.The smaller the tank the more water quality and maintance are important.

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 08:00 PM

The store keeper said that they are the most durable type of coral, and he recomends those, and mushrooms to start with.

demonsp · 04/17/2008, 08:02 PM

You will be either weeding back that xenia forever or endup with a xenia only tank.They will survive in newer tanks and mean an easy sale to the LFS.

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 08:04 PM

Wait, why cant i keep xenia? They seem to be thriving, and a new little "hand" starts every 5-6 days! I love them!

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 08:05 PM

Im hopeing that it crawls over all of my main rock! That is the whole reason that i started with corals, I like them the most. Started with a head with 11 heads, now i got 13!

Love em.

demonsp · 04/17/2008, 08:07 PM

You can have them.But i think you have a 14 gallon and if so then with hundreds of other coral to chose from youll be spending all your time checking out your xenia everyday. Sounds like your in a hurry to get some life in there and this is a top 10 no no.

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 08:10 PM

What do you mean i would have to check it every day?

demonsp · 04/17/2008, 08:12 PM

I mean in time all you will have is xenia in your tank and this is all you will look at everday.

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 08:13 PM

Im only planning on what i have, a red mushroom, and the yellow polyps, with maybe these neon looking ones. But im only adding 1 new coral to my tank every 2-3 weeks. Dont wanna rush more than i already have.

D to the P · 04/17/2008, 08:13 PM

I would be willing to bet that those clown fish will have a stunted growth because of the lack of nutrients. You should be controlling what you feed by taking your time while you're feeding. Too many people just throw it in and go. You should be allowing your fish to eat a whole flake, and when they are done with it you add another. The fish probably won't be able to get all the food they should be eating with just one big dump in because water flow will carry it away, some will sink and go behind a rock etc. Feeding your fish is essentially your only time for interaction with the fish (can't pet em, can't walk em, can't groom them) so you mind as well dedicate time to it. This way you will know exactly what your fish are getting all of their food. As far as your nitrates go, it might be from the phytoplankton that you are dumping in there that nothing but your pods are using, and while they do end up being a food source for corals, you shouldn't put phytoplankton in there more than like once a week or even once every other week IMO. But it could also be from something that is dead inside of your live rock, not the rock work, but the actual live rock. how long did the rock get to cure?

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 08:14 PM

My xenia is going to be my background type of thing, and im going to have my other corals being in the front. Gunna look awesum!

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 08:17 PM

It was cured in the store for 2 months, and i let it sit in my tank for 3 weeks.(Just that new one) The rest are from my old tank, which have been in there for 6 months. Ill try to get a full tank pic later.

Imanz0 · 04/17/2008, 08:18 PM

Yeah, i use 1/2 of a cap every week, 3 hours after i do a water change.

D to the P · 04/17/2008, 08:19 PM

I think what demonsp is getting at is xenia grows like a weed. while it is cool to have, and there is no problem with having it, it usually out grows all other corals and takes away the other corals space to grow. In a situation like this you will need to do some gardening, remove the xenia that is taking space away from your other corals, and if you're lucky your LFS will take, and maybe even pay you for it. So while you will still have it in your tank, it will just be in the areas that you want it, and that is best for all the corals in the tank ie not on top of them.

04/17/2008, 06:56 PM	#1
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	My new mushrooms, and My 1 flake a day method! Well, through out time, many people have been questioning how are my clown fish living if i only feed them 1 flake a day? I have done this for the past 8 months. Now lets see how they are. My Big One. My Small one. Now Both together. Those stomaches dont look "Pinched" to me Ok, and now i was wondering how are my mushrooms doing? I had to move them from the first spot even though it looks better there because of the current hitting them, but im planning on a chnage of all corals, once i get those yellow polyps, and some type of red coral. -That algae is killing me... New spot

04/17/2008, 07:19 PM	#5
seanb1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: bettendorf, iowa Posts: 668	most people overfeed their fish. fish dont even get a chance to digest their food, its pushed through them so fast. but 1 flake a day is rediculous, might as well make them happy in there and let them chow down a couple times a day. you can easily make up for it with a waterchange every couple weeks. ive raised alot of types of freshwater fish so i dont really know if this applies to salt. take a discus for instance, to grow it to its maximum adult size, it must be done within 1 year, so that means feed the crap out of them. thats hy you very rarely will see a large discus in a home aquarium unless its been raised by a competant breeder and sold as an adult. most fish in their first year need more vitamins and minerals that they wont use in adult life just to get good bone growth so they can look like the fish they are supposed to look like. its just better to feed them the routine 3 times a day as much as they will eat in a couple minutes. __________________ he who knows how, will always work for he who knows why..... David lee Roth. Current Tank Info: 125 reef/29 gal sump/29 gal fuge 3- 175w 20k xm mh/4 65w actinic, octopus nw-200 skimmer3 k-4s mag-12. 2 returns. 2 phosban reactors, GFO/carbon.

04/17/2008, 08:13 PM	#21
D to the P Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Amishville, USA Posts: 2,047	I would be willing to bet that those clown fish will have a stunted growth because of the lack of nutrients. You should be controlling what you feed by taking your time while you're feeding. Too many people just throw it in and go. You should be allowing your fish to eat a whole flake, and when they are done with it you add another. The fish probably won't be able to get all the food they should be eating with just one big dump in because water flow will carry it away, some will sink and go behind a rock etc. Feeding your fish is essentially your only time for interaction with the fish (can't pet em, can't walk em, can't groom them) so you mind as well dedicate time to it. This way you will know exactly what your fish are getting all of their food. As far as your nitrates go, it might be from the phytoplankton that you are dumping in there that nothing but your pods are using, and while they do end up being a food source for corals, you shouldn't put phytoplankton in there more than like once a week or even once every other week IMO. But it could also be from something that is dead inside of your live rock, not the rock work, but the actual live rock. how long did the rock get to cure? __________________ Nature V.S. Nurture: Nature Always Wins. Current Tank Info: 12 gallon Aquapod reef with LED's, multiple nano's at work.

04/17/2008, 08:19 PM	#25
D to the P Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Amishville, USA Posts: 2,047	I think what demonsp is getting at is xenia grows like a weed. while it is cool to have, and there is no problem with having it, it usually out grows all other corals and takes away the other corals space to grow. In a situation like this you will need to do some gardening, remove the xenia that is taking space away from your other corals, and if you're lucky your LFS will take, and maybe even pay you for it. So while you will still have it in your tank, it will just be in the areas that you want it, and that is best for all the corals in the tank ie not on top of them. __________________ Nature V.S. Nurture: Nature Always Wins. Current Tank Info: 12 gallon Aquapod reef with LED's, multiple nano's at work.

04/17/2008, 07:01 PM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	I see many threads from you and you dont seem to learn from them. Ok your fish which is a omnivore ( meat and veggie eater) may have survived your poor feeding habits but the coral never will. Most like smaller meater bits of frozen and good flow and in a well fead tank they will do fine.1 flake a day is far from a well fead tank. Save these link for coral care and please ask and research before you add anything for water problems or add any new stock. Your in for a huge money lose at the rater your going. http://www.asira.org/caresheets

04/17/2008, 07:03 PM	#3
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	Im not feeding my mushrooms flakes, im feeding them Live Marine Phytoplankton.

04/17/2008, 07:10 PM	#4
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Look at the site i left you and you will never see this added in the feeding needs.None. This may help but they want smaller bits of food that you add for the fish. Thats why you balance the stock slow and easy so as you increase food addeded the other coral will get enough. Also feeding more times a day is great. I feed flake in the morning about waht they can eat in 1 or 2 min then frozen at night what they can eat in 3 or 4 min.Then they need flow so the food source can pass by them a few times for capture. Im sorry to say but 1 flake a day means your very uneducated of your stocks needs and either dont care or your budget is so tight you cant afford there right diet,if so then back out of the hobby and get a gold fish tank. This is a need to do it right hobby or youllalways spend unneded money and have unwanted problems.

04/17/2008, 07:25 PM	#6
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	ok, ill feed them once in the morning, and once at night. Just trying to keep those nitrates down. I do 2.5 gallons every week too for those nitrates. They are at 10.5 right now. Getting there

04/17/2008, 07:35 PM	#7
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Nitrates can be from overfeeding but not in your case. Your pods seen and unseen pods would like food and then the coral will like to eat.Its also best to mix the diet for better results. Cylops works great for pods , coral , and fish but 3 or 4 frozen and then flake and pellet also very usefull. But you need a good mix of CUC and fish and coral and LR and flow and ect.. Its all about control and balance.The more you have the better. I guess nitrates from water flow or water source or lack of CUC. Can you list these things and get things under control please.Also adding as much tank info in your profile reduces guessing and more related responses. Your here asking so you must care.

04/17/2008, 07:40 PM	#8
Echo'sMom Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: In My House Posts: 60	Why feed them so little to begin with? Not being rude, just asking?

04/17/2008, 07:55 PM	#11
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	Ok, well about 2 months back, i had 2 fish die(Came down with an infection), nitrates zoomed up to 35. Then they have been getting lower. Anyway, now Nitrates-10.5 Nitrites-0 Ammonia-0 Ph-8.3 Salinity-1.24-5 Temp-79.5 24w 10,000K Lamp 24w Actinic 03 Lamp 14 gallon cube RO/DI Water ONLY The shop keeper said for the xenia, polyps, and mushrooms i have, those are are all i need. I asked him if i needed calc, alk, or phos tests, and he said if i just stick with softies, like the ones i have, i dont need.

04/17/2008, 07:59 PM	#12
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Get rid of the xenia. All readings are important but depnding on stock other might be more important.Its your water readings that help maintan the best water quality.The smaller the tank the more water quality and maintance are important.

04/17/2008, 08:00 PM	#13
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	The store keeper said that they are the most durable type of coral, and he recomends those, and mushrooms to start with.

04/17/2008, 08:02 PM	#14
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	You will be either weeding back that xenia forever or endup with a xenia only tank.They will survive in newer tanks and mean an easy sale to the LFS.

04/17/2008, 08:04 PM	#15
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	Wait, why cant i keep xenia? They seem to be thriving, and a new little "hand" starts every 5-6 days! I love them!

04/17/2008, 08:05 PM	#16
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	Im hopeing that it crawls over all of my main rock! That is the whole reason that i started with corals, I like them the most. Started with a head with 11 heads, now i got 13! Love em.

04/17/2008, 08:07 PM	#17
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	You can have them.But i think you have a 14 gallon and if so then with hundreds of other coral to chose from youll be spending all your time checking out your xenia everyday. Sounds like your in a hurry to get some life in there and this is a top 10 no no.

04/17/2008, 08:10 PM	#18
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	What do you mean i would have to check it every day?

04/17/2008, 08:12 PM	#19
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	I mean in time all you will have is xenia in your tank and this is all you will look at everday.

04/17/2008, 08:14 PM	#22
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	My xenia is going to be my background type of thing, and im going to have my other corals being in the front. Gunna look awesum!

04/17/2008, 08:17 PM	#23
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	It was cured in the store for 2 months, and i let it sit in my tank for 3 weeks.(Just that new one) The rest are from my old tank, which have been in there for 6 months. Ill try to get a full tank pic later.

04/17/2008, 08:18 PM	#24
Imanz0 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 404	Yeah, i use 1/2 of a cap every week, 3 hours after i do a water change.