Can I feed corals this way???

[goodreef]

I have a propagation tank attached to my sump, and the sump connects to my main tank. My main tank is 5 x 2.5 x 2.5 ft, and my propagation tank is 4 x 2 ft, filled with about 2 inches of crushed coral chips. Currently, there is nothing in my propagation tank, except the crushed coral chips.

I read that bacteria and micro algae will coat the surface of sand, and by stirring up the top layer of sand, these bacteria and micro algae will act as foods for corals. So, every 2 times a week, I will thoroughly mix up the coral chips in the propagation tank, and clouds of “dust” will flow into the sump, and into my main tank. The main tank will usually remain “cloudy” for about 1 hour before clearing up.

My imagination is that these “dust” will be feeding my corals, but I am really not sure.

I’ve been doing this for about 1 month. Comparing to before, my SPS has become much more colorful!!! However, during this time, I’ve also changed my PO4 media, added activated carbon, and increased other types of feedings.

Can anyone advice if I should continue stirring up the coral chips in the propagation tank, or just siphon out the “dust” on the coral chips during my water change???

 

[seapug]

the dust from the chips isn't what feeds the corals, the detritus and microfauna that gets kicked up does, so you need a source for it. A few pieces of live rock will seed the propagation tank with some life that will spread into the display if they are plumbed together. At that point you have created a refugium.

 

[goodreef]

Yep, I also think that the "dust" I'm getting is basically detritus and microfauna ... and yes, it is a refugium of sorts. I do get pods there.

Hoping to be more specific:

1. Will the "dust" (detritus, microfauna, and actual dust from coral chips rubbing against each other) harm my main tank? Specifically, I've also got Deep Sand Bed and Live Rocks in my main tank. Will the additional detritus from the propagation tank dirty the Deep Sand Bed & Live Rocks, causing them to become unhealthy?

2. I am assuming that my SPS & other corals are taking in this "dust", and that it is beneficial. Anyone knows any negative points?

3. What is the nutritional value of these "dust"? I guess it is impossible to know, but, can I use it as a PRIMARY source of food for my corals, or should I continue to feed commercial coral foods?

4. In summary, should I continue to do what I am doing? If so, how frequent should I do so?

Thanks!!!

 

[seapug]

1. if you have nutrient issues it can liberate algae "fertilizer" into the water column.
2. SPS will feed on microscopic zooplankton in the detritus, soft corals will feed onthe bacteria and some liberated nutrients.
3. Light and calcium are probably more reliable sources of food, but if you have a lot of pods in the debris, it can be enough for the corals. I personally never "target feed" my corals and they do fine.
4. If you are getting good growth and don't have algae problems, it probably won't hurt to keep doing what you are doing.

 

[goodreef]

Thanks for the advice ... I've got Deep Sand Bed in main tank, and another big size remote Deep Sand Bed attached to the sump for redundency. With this setup, NO issues at all with NO2 & NO3 ... even with increased feeding.

Good to know ... However, I think not much pods (visually at least) are released to the main tank, as they will quickly hid out of thew way.

OK ... I will continue and see what's the reaction of the corals in the main tank!! After all, this is the easiest method to clean the propergation tank!!!

 

[ConsultantERP]

A negative point might be stirring to hard. I have read that some of the particles if too large can actually irritate corals. Alot of people are stirring their sand bed for all the reason stated in the above posts, but it seems someone always speaks up about large particals that could irritate corals.

 

[goodreef]

One of my friends reminded me that by stirring up the coral rubble so frequently, I may be releasing more coral dust then detritus & bacteria into the main tank.

This may crash my Deep Sand Bed & potentially harmful to my SPS. It may also cause equiptments to break.

I agree on the above points, and feel that I should not stirr the rubble so often (1 or 2 times a week) in order to allow more accumulation of bacteria and detritus.

I also agree that this should not be the primary food source, due to potentially low nutritional values.

But, generally, I still think that it might be a good idea to release the detritus & bacteria accumulated in the sump back into the main tank.

Any comments and thoughts are very welcome!!!

 

[ConsultantERP]

I think we can all agree that in the ocean, the sand is almost always being stirred to some extent, especially in the shallower areas ( at least I think we can).

This seems to be something being done by those who have corals requiring nutrients, and even frequent stirring might be good, but IMO it needs to be a light stirring. If I were using a pencil to stir the sand ( and I would never stick a pencil in my tank) I would stick only the eraser in the sand and make a small circle until I could see a little bit of fog rising from the sand, then stop.

The idea (I think) would be to stir waste, not finer particles of sand, as best you can.