Continuous feeding NPS filter feeders
- Thread starter uhuru
- Start date
I can't post the amount though, it's a trade secret, sorry 
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
I was afraid of that. Can't blame me for trying.
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
Nah, I'm trying to replicate the effects for keeping other foods from settling. I'll just have to go with trial and error.
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
Ok, different question for Gresham. I know we shouldn't mix Reef Nutrition products together or dilute them as that will affect their shelf-life. However, is there a problem with mixing dry food into Rotifeast? Would that have some kind of negative effect?
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
I tried it with the Fauna Marin food. I tried it both in saltwater and RO water. The amount of alginate needed to keep the food suspended seems like more than I would want to add. I have another idea for using something else. I'll update if it works.
The Fauna Marin food will stay suspended in Rotifeast, so they must do something special...
The Fauna Marin food will stay suspended in Rotifeast, so they must do something special...
Sure would. The mix is designed for a certain "bio-load" and by increasing it you defeat the longevity of the mix.
My continuous feeding filter gets awfully smelly by the end of a week, and needs a scrub down. I am wondering if a bottle with a air line for suspension and peristaltic pump for dosing would not be less maintenance and stench? Any thoughts, tips? My guess is this is one of the reasons you switched to syringe dosing pumps.
uhuru
New member
I don't know if you are addressing that to me, but I didn't switch to syringe pumps. I use both syringe pumps and kalk reactor. I will explain my current routine in a bit. I have been having very good results and the reactor doesn't get nearly as stinky as when I first tried it.
You could use a peri pump but you will have to clean out the tubing regularly. Once bacterial growth starts to occur in the tubing it will capture the particles in the food and form a vegetation, thereby impeding flow. This happens with the kalk reactor too but its 1/2" clear tubing and its easier to clean out and cheaper/easier to replace.
You could use a peri pump but you will have to clean out the tubing regularly. Once bacterial growth starts to occur in the tubing it will capture the particles in the food and form a vegetation, thereby impeding flow. This happens with the kalk reactor too but its 1/2" clear tubing and its easier to clean out and cheaper/easier to replace.
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
Very nice Uhuru! I have always been envious of your collection.
On the subject of continuous feeders, here's something I recently put together:
It is also a reactor to keep the food in continuous suspension. I decided to go with a magnetic stirrer instead of a pump in the hopes that it will not need as much cleaning. I added an Iceprobe chiller in order to keep the food cold in the reactor. It keeps the food in the high 30's. I haven't set it going yet as I'm waiting on one part, the o-ring gasket to keep it well sealed.
On the subject of continuous feeders, here's something I recently put together:
It is also a reactor to keep the food in continuous suspension. I decided to go with a magnetic stirrer instead of a pump in the hopes that it will not need as much cleaning. I added an Iceprobe chiller in order to keep the food cold in the reactor. It keeps the food in the high 30's. I haven't set it going yet as I'm waiting on one part, the o-ring gasket to keep it well sealed.
uhuru
New member
Thanks guys. Ninja - someone had brought up that very concept to me but they had the idea of putting the iceprobe on a kalk reactor. It looks like yours is similar to a very short kalk stirrer, correct? Due to the small size I think the stirrer would work fine. I'm looking forward to see how that works out for you! I'm hoping to get a custom food reactor built in the near future.
aninjaatemyshoe
New member
It would really depend upon the NPS coral. For some of them, it is definitely a must. For things like Tubastrea and Dendrophyllia, you don't really need a continuous feeder. However, all NPS corals will benefit from a continuous feeding setup.
ReefMonger
New member
Beautiful setup Uhuru
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