Feeding Frequency for a FOWLR tank?

edaskalos · 08/18/2009, 06:18 PM

I was wondering if my once daily feedings are adequate or should I be doing it twice a day? I have only had my few fish and iverts for a week now, but I want to make sure that I am properly feeding (not over or under) them. THANKS!

Agu · 08/18/2009, 07:34 PM

Depends on how much you feed each time ...........

I feed my 10 gallon nano tanks with clowns and corals twice a day. Most people say that's too much but I control the amount fed by using a wide bore plastic syringe and only feeding 1 or 2 cc's of food/water mix for each feeding. Most of it gets eaten so there's very little left over to foul the tank.

Sisterlimonpot · 08/18/2009, 07:51 PM

I used to feed twice a day but I simply don't have the time to do that any more so one big feeding in the evening is what I do. but if you have the time I would suggest 2 times a day like Agu said.

Mike31154 · 08/18/2009, 09:03 PM

Depends on the type of fish you have as well. If you think of the critters in their home, the ocean, many of them likely feed all day, again, depending on the species and what the food is. A tang will prefer to graze all day, but they seem to do fine with a single daily feeding as well.

I use an Eheim dual auto feeder all the time and have it set for 3 feedings per day. One compartment has primarily flake while the other has mostly pellet & granular food. The flake side runs in the morning & evening, the pellets at around noon. Whenever I'm home for the evening feeding cycle, I supplement the auto feeder stuff with some frozen mysis, brine shrimp, krill, etc... I also have a veggie clip that holds a piece of nori which my tang & angelfish appreciate. Three of my inhabitants eat virtually all day, two dragonets & a lawnmower blenny. The larger dragonet takes the odd bit of pellet if it lands on the substrate, but other than that, those 3 fish take nothing that comes out of the feeder, they live off the pods and algae in and on the rocks & glass.

Since you've had your guys for just a short time, the best advice is to carefully observe how they eat and how much they eat. In time you'll get a good handle on the quantity and frequency that works best for you and your tank inhabitants.

08/18/2009, 06:18 PM	#1
edaskalos Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 81	Feeding Frequency for a FOWLR tank? I was wondering if my once daily feedings are adequate or should I be doing it twice a day? I have only had my few fish and iverts for a week now, but I want to make sure that I am properly feeding (not over or under) them. THANKS! __________________ 37 Gallon FOWLR

08/18/2009, 07:34 PM	#2
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Depends on how much you feed each time ........... I feed my 10 gallon nano tanks with clowns and corals twice a day. Most people say that's too much but I control the amount fed by using a wide bore plastic syringe and only feeding 1 or 2 cc's of food/water mix for each feeding. Most of it gets eaten so there's very little left over to foul the tank. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

08/18/2009, 07:51 PM	#3
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	I used to feed twice a day but I simply don't have the time to do that any more so one big feeding in the evening is what I do. but if you have the time I would suggest 2 times a day like Agu said. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

08/18/2009, 09:03 PM	#4
Mike31154 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,555	Depends on the type of fish you have as well. If you think of the critters in their home, the ocean, many of them likely feed all day, again, depending on the species and what the food is. A tang will prefer to graze all day, but they seem to do fine with a single daily feeding as well. I use an Eheim dual auto feeder all the time and have it set for 3 feedings per day. One compartment has primarily flake while the other has mostly pellet & granular food. The flake side runs in the morning & evening, the pellets at around noon. Whenever I'm home for the evening feeding cycle, I supplement the auto feeder stuff with some frozen mysis, brine shrimp, krill, etc... I also have a veggie clip that holds a piece of nori which my tang & angelfish appreciate. Three of my inhabitants eat virtually all day, two dragonets & a lawnmower blenny. The larger dragonet takes the odd bit of pellet if it lands on the substrate, but other than that, those 3 fish take nothing that comes out of the feeder, they live off the pods and algae in and on the rocks & glass. Since you've had your guys for just a short time, the best advice is to carefully observe how they eat and how much they eat. In time you'll get a good handle on the quantity and frequency that works best for you and your tank inhabitants. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 77g sumpless sw with rock, sand, a few critters, fishes & polyps. Lights, pumps.....