Eric's "famous" coral food recipe
- Thread starter EricHugo
- Start date
This thread has remained so active and I apologize for not having gotten back here. Michael seems to have answered all the questions extremely much as I would have, and if there was anything I would have answered differently since my last post, I'd say it here...but there isn't.
As for the variation in size, that's up to you. If you leave it chunky, then you have lots of particles that are good for corals, and lots that are good for fish, too. Really fine pretty much makes it coral and invery food.
As Michael said, variation is normal - and good. A varied diet is generally a good thing. As an example, I did not have chow made up prior to my leaving for Bali, but had a bunch of Mysis and Brine which I figured would be fine for the month. My old scarred scopas tang started showing signs of his old HLLE for the first time since 1994 when I bought him near death in a store.
As for octopus and scallops, that pretty much a whole bunch of muscle tissue. Moderately good for fish, but probably not the best choice for corals. Its hard to get muscle fiber like that small enough for many small polyped mouths...scallops are possible. The point is to get a variety of nutrients into these animals, and in the form of high quality whole foods that they would be exposed to in nature (or a good facsimile thereof).
As Michael also said, you may shocked at a forty dollar or more grocery and aquarium food invoice until you make enough flats to be the equivalent of several hundred dollars of the cubes in the LFS freezer that, when thawed, is mostly water anyway. The cost savings alone is reason enough to do this.
As for the variation in size, that's up to you. If you leave it chunky, then you have lots of particles that are good for corals, and lots that are good for fish, too. Really fine pretty much makes it coral and invery food.
As Michael said, variation is normal - and good. A varied diet is generally a good thing. As an example, I did not have chow made up prior to my leaving for Bali, but had a bunch of Mysis and Brine which I figured would be fine for the month. My old scarred scopas tang started showing signs of his old HLLE for the first time since 1994 when I bought him near death in a store.
As for octopus and scallops, that pretty much a whole bunch of muscle tissue. Moderately good for fish, but probably not the best choice for corals. Its hard to get muscle fiber like that small enough for many small polyped mouths...scallops are possible. The point is to get a variety of nutrients into these animals, and in the form of high quality whole foods that they would be exposed to in nature (or a good facsimile thereof).
As Michael also said, you may shocked at a forty dollar or more grocery and aquarium food invoice until you make enough flats to be the equivalent of several hundred dollars of the cubes in the LFS freezer that, when thawed, is mostly water anyway. The cost savings alone is reason enough to do this.
I HOPE TOILET TANK 13 WILL READ THIS...
Toilet tank 13 where did you find that pick of a toilet with money above it about to be flushed?
Eric in your book on the coral recipe page you write that you use 30ml (2tbls) super selco. Is that a typo
Is selcon good to use alternativly I don't want to order online.
Oh and eric is it really true you don't use a skimmer.
my ETS 500 still aight broke in and for all that money it don't give foam like I'd like it to.
Oh yeah eric in your book you write that you once had a system that used five gallons of lime water plus 20 ml's two part. You said that you used 1 table spoons Kalk per gallon?
My ESV says to use 2 spoons per gallon.
It's not really that inportant but what's gonning on
Toilet tank 13 where did you find that pick of a toilet with money above it about to be flushed?
Eric in your book on the coral recipe page you write that you use 30ml (2tbls) super selco. Is that a typo
Is selcon good to use alternativly I don't want to order online.
Oh and eric is it really true you don't use a skimmer.
my ETS 500 still aight broke in and for all that money it don't give foam like I'd like it to.
Oh yeah eric in your book you write that you once had a system that used five gallons of lime water plus 20 ml's two part. You said that you used 1 table spoons Kalk per gallon?
My ESV says to use 2 spoons per gallon.
It's not really that inportant but what's gonning on
I HOPE TOILET TANK 13 WILL READ THIS...
Toilet tank 13 where did you find that pick of a toilet with money above it about to be flushed?
Eric in your book on the coral recipe page you write that you use 30ml (2tbls) super selco. Is that a typo
Is selcon good to use alternativly I don't want to order online.
Oh and eric is it really true you don't use a skimmer.
my ETS 500 still aight broke in and for all that money it don't give foam like I'd like it to.
Oh yeah eric in your book you write that you once had a system that used five gallons of lime water plus 20 ml's two part. You said that you used 1 table spoons Kalk per gallon?
My ESV says to use 2 spoons per gallon.
It's not really that inportant but what's goning on
Toilet tank 13 where did you find that pick of a toilet with money above it about to be flushed?
Eric in your book on the coral recipe page you write that you use 30ml (2tbls) super selco. Is that a typo
Is selcon good to use alternativly I don't want to order online.
Oh and eric is it really true you don't use a skimmer.
my ETS 500 still aight broke in and for all that money it don't give foam like I'd like it to.
Oh yeah eric in your book you write that you once had a system that used five gallons of lime water plus 20 ml's two part. You said that you used 1 table spoons Kalk per gallon?
My ESV says to use 2 spoons per gallon.
It's not really that inportant but what's goning on
Hi- sorry I didn't see this earlier. Most recent question-Yes they will. One of the things I tend to do is grind in stages, don't dump it all in at one shot and puree completely. Gives a much broader distribution of food sizes that way. Personally, I add selcon when thawing in a plastic cup. Couple drops each time. The kalk can be used either way 1-2 tbs. Usually 1 will get you to the point of saturation which is what you are looking for. Read through Randy's articles /forum on this and track down C. Bingman's Aquarium Frontiers series (available online) for the real lowdown on kalk. For further saturation, look into spiking the solution through the use of vinegar.
On your skimmer- I'd suggest keeping it running. Look into that model with a search, and you will likely find the optimal pump to run it with or other easy ways (and not so easy ways) of boosting the performance.
On your skimmer- I'd suggest keeping it running. Look into that model with a search, and you will likely find the optimal pump to run it with or other easy ways (and not so easy ways) of boosting the performance.
Eric, thanks for the recipe. :bounce1: :bounce2: :bounce3:
I only have a 75 gallon aquarium with assorted soft corals and 2 sps's. If i was to make your recipe, I would probably have enough food to supply my aquariums for years. I was wondering if there was just a really good over the LPS counter food for your reef?
I have alot of zoo's, xenia, capnella, grn sinularia, assorted polyps, assorted sarcophyton, mushrooms, few gorg's & a few others.
Thanks
Billy :fish1:
I only have a 75 gallon aquarium with assorted soft corals and 2 sps's. If i was to make your recipe, I would probably have enough food to supply my aquariums for years. I was wondering if there was just a really good over the LPS counter food for your reef?
I have alot of zoo's, xenia, capnella, grn sinularia, assorted polyps, assorted sarcophyton, mushrooms, few gorg's & a few others.
Thanks
Billy :fish1:
John:
yes, those corals will eat this food - at least parts of it, depending on the feeding response and the particle size.
On Selco, no its not a typo. Selco is the concentrate. Selcon is the highly watered down aquarium version. Selco pours like a thick milkshake. Selcon, by comparison, appears to have about 1/4 teaspoon of Selco in it mixed with water to make up the small bottle.
On the old tanks, see Michael's response. Yes, that was my regimen back then - many years ago already. As for skimmers, I have no skimmers on my bedroom tank, my lab tanks (including the stony coral tanks) and had not had a skimmer on any tank for many many years. Following a huge wipeout back in 1999 while I was in Australia, I decided to add a skimmer to my main tank for the times when I was out of town (which, as you guys know, is a lot). Problem is, i always forgot to turn it on when I walked out the door, so it was still unskimmed.
Then, after one of my Indonesia trips in 2001, I turned it on, and didn't get around to turning it off again for several months because I was going to be changing the tank soon as I set up the systems at my lab...figured I'd just keep it going. I made the change and, of course, ran the skimmer during the changes and then, after rethinking things in terms of oxygen at night (basically that i wanted lower flow at night but without compromising O2 from biomass), I ran it at night for about a year.
Then, I've also become more concerned about plant and animal chemistry in small volumes, so I have really upped carbon use in the past three years and for the past year, I have begun skimming the one system all the time. I have compensated by adding even more food to the tank than I already was, and feel that the health of the tank is still equal to what it was without skimming. I have far less filter feeders on the rocks than when I didn't skim, but still have a lot and good sponge growth. All in all, I guess my prlonged absences away from the tank, both at lab and in travels, has swayed me to this regimen for my main system. The other tanks are too simple to worry about skimming at all - only thing that hurts them is when someone forgets to add water for many days at lab and the salinity spikes.
My wife is a great tank keeper in my absence and is very observant of things. I have no doubt that the skimmer is simply my paranoia based on past nightmares. But, for now that's how I am doing things. I'm sure it will change again as my lifestyle changes - one way or the other.
I don't use ESV anymore...I think 1997 was probably the last time I ordered ESV - liked the product fine, but I had trace element concerns and no longer saw the need to pay the money for basic chemicals that could be had for a fraaction of the price. In fact, that was about the time I almost entirely stopped supporting the dry goods section of any fish stores with the exception of a very few things.
WM tasker...you lost me...what are you asking? over the counter LPS recipe?
yes, those corals will eat this food - at least parts of it, depending on the feeding response and the particle size.
On Selco, no its not a typo. Selco is the concentrate. Selcon is the highly watered down aquarium version. Selco pours like a thick milkshake. Selcon, by comparison, appears to have about 1/4 teaspoon of Selco in it mixed with water to make up the small bottle.
On the old tanks, see Michael's response. Yes, that was my regimen back then - many years ago already. As for skimmers, I have no skimmers on my bedroom tank, my lab tanks (including the stony coral tanks) and had not had a skimmer on any tank for many many years. Following a huge wipeout back in 1999 while I was in Australia, I decided to add a skimmer to my main tank for the times when I was out of town (which, as you guys know, is a lot). Problem is, i always forgot to turn it on when I walked out the door, so it was still unskimmed.
Then, after one of my Indonesia trips in 2001, I turned it on, and didn't get around to turning it off again for several months because I was going to be changing the tank soon as I set up the systems at my lab...figured I'd just keep it going. I made the change and, of course, ran the skimmer during the changes and then, after rethinking things in terms of oxygen at night (basically that i wanted lower flow at night but without compromising O2 from biomass), I ran it at night for about a year.
Then, I've also become more concerned about plant and animal chemistry in small volumes, so I have really upped carbon use in the past three years and for the past year, I have begun skimming the one system all the time. I have compensated by adding even more food to the tank than I already was, and feel that the health of the tank is still equal to what it was without skimming. I have far less filter feeders on the rocks than when I didn't skim, but still have a lot and good sponge growth. All in all, I guess my prlonged absences away from the tank, both at lab and in travels, has swayed me to this regimen for my main system. The other tanks are too simple to worry about skimming at all - only thing that hurts them is when someone forgets to add water for many days at lab and the salinity spikes.
My wife is a great tank keeper in my absence and is very observant of things. I have no doubt that the skimmer is simply my paranoia based on past nightmares. But, for now that's how I am doing things. I'm sure it will change again as my lifestyle changes - one way or the other.
I don't use ESV anymore...I think 1997 was probably the last time I ordered ESV - liked the product fine, but I had trace element concerns and no longer saw the need to pay the money for basic chemicals that could be had for a fraaction of the price. In fact, that was about the time I almost entirely stopped supporting the dry goods section of any fish stores with the exception of a very few things.
WM tasker...you lost me...what are you asking? over the counter LPS recipe?
Inosofar as I am aware, thee is no one stop, all purpose food for all corals...they are all too individual in what they require. I'd say of all the foods out there, though, the smallest size Golden pearls is likely to be the most appropriate for the most number of corals, although alone they do not elicit a very strong feeding response. Baby brine shrimp are also exellent, although Randy aricle on aluminum contnetn of brine shrimp has now given me some pause in my heavy long-term use of Artemia as part of a staple diet for fish and corals.
Eric,
I apologize if this was already answered somewhere but I could not find it. I am in the middle of compiling the ingredients for a batch of this food. Are each of the ingredients within each category (like within "dried aq. foods") used in equal parts/qtys? Or do you just use what you have?
Also do you have a source for the super selco vs. the selcon?
Thanks,
Marc
I apologize if this was already answered somewhere but I could not find it. I am in the middle of compiling the ingredients for a batch of this food. Are each of the ingredients within each category (like within "dried aq. foods") used in equal parts/qtys? Or do you just use what you have?
Also do you have a source for the super selco vs. the selcon?
Thanks,
Marc
Dear Eric
In your book you right "I have, however found that certain brands of high-quality dry marine food, available in tiny pellets, are especially suited to liquid vitamin absorptionbefore being fed to corals, and are also an appropriate size for many corals to capture. Proline and reduced glutathione (GSH) are both compounds that can be added to the water elicit a feeding response in many corals."
Are you still on the regiem?
Where can I find the product's?
More importantly can you give any info on what pellets work best, also what vitamins you use.
thanks
Johnny
In your book you right "I have, however found that certain brands of high-quality dry marine food, available in tiny pellets, are especially suited to liquid vitamin absorptionbefore being fed to corals, and are also an appropriate size for many corals to capture. Proline and reduced glutathione (GSH) are both compounds that can be added to the water elicit a feeding response in many corals."
Are you still on the regiem?
Where can I find the product's?
More importantly can you give any info on what pellets work best, also what vitamins you use.
thanks
Johnny
rev: in the freezer. Cyclop=eeze is new for me, too, but I like it lot.
Jon - no, that's an option. I just use the one food now, sans big algae for corals. For the dry foods, the cyclopeeze, Golden Pearls and Vibragro are my favorites. I'm not using vitamin supllements now...I think the food is high enough quality now...it wasn't it the mid 90's when I wrote that.
Jon - no, that's an option. I just use the one food now, sans big algae for corals. For the dry foods, the cyclopeeze, Golden Pearls and Vibragro are my favorites. I'm not using vitamin supllements now...I think the food is high enough quality now...it wasn't it the mid 90's when I wrote that.
kelhuffman
Premium Member
I have to say this about Cyclopeeze. I bought the frozen stuff and have been using it daily or twice a day for a month. I've read claims about foods making fish colors more vibrant and have tried ALL of those foods and never seen colors get better. Well, I'll be... my bartlett's anthias have colored up like acros after fading out over the past 9 months.
sans big algae for corals ???
what???
Is your recipe good for feeding a doughnut coral?? I've tried alot and mine won't take to anything?? I managed to get some in the opening last night but I clumsly hit a mattle hard and the thing spit out the pieces. dooh
Im sorry for writing things I read in your book on here somtimes I just don't think
Is the Vibragro that comes in a jar good too.
And finally, should I keep Caulerpa It's the only thing that's usally avialble around here,will it remove any heavy metals, any info would be appriated. thanks Johnny
what???
Is your recipe good for feeding a doughnut coral?? I've tried alot and mine won't take to anything?? I managed to get some in the opening last night but I clumsly hit a mattle hard and the thing spit out the pieces. dooh
Im sorry for writing things I read in your book on here somtimes I just don't think
Is the Vibragro that comes in a jar good too.
And finally, should I keep Caulerpa It's the only thing that's usally avialble around here,will it remove any heavy metals, any info would be appriated. thanks Johnny
If it is for fish in a reef, just leave out some of the big stuff along the way and hand chop to pieces appropriate for the fish (shrimp, fish, etc.). The nori should stay in an appropiate size, else just soak in saltwater and break up by hand. Super blend the first portion for the corals, then hand stir in the chunks, and there you have a mixed feed.
