Feeding times?

R

RFL

Member
What time of day (or when after the lights go on) does everyone feed their fish? I'm trying to feed small portions several times/day, but feeding before work, and then after requires me to leave the lights on 14+ hours/day. Having said that, it isn't MH for 14 hours, but is the short dark period a problem. My sps seem to extend their polyps mostly at night. Short nights, limit their feeding period. Perhaps I'm nervous over nothing, but it seems as thought that is the name of this game.
 
I have know some that have their lights turn on right before they come home from work and stay on until right after they wake up. I don't know where your tank is set up but for some, lights on the tank is not a good sub. for a nightlight.
 
IMHO, you're not going to be able to get the polyps of an SPS coral to really take food. As for LPS, they feed better at night (as that is when zooplankton is out and about. And as for fish, anytime they are awake, they'll likely eat. :)
 
I don't think it makes any difference what time they are fed, but I think consistence here is key. You can actually train your corals to eat at a specified time. Takes time and patience but It can be done.
 
RFL, if it helps any, my Actinics are on 12 hours a day, but my MH is only on 8. But, that's partially because my MH is way over powered for my tank. But, that's what happens when future upgrades don't go as planned :)
 
RFL I also run my MH for about 14hrs I wouldn't suggest going any longer possible bleaching. I don't know why I do this, but ever since I have had a Reef it has been like this it just works for me no problems (6 years and going). But again its what I have gotten use too. How long have you been running yours 14+? But if you change the amount of time that they are on I would do it slowly maybe give them time to adjust.
 
The light times have been constant since the setup (20 months). As I said earlier, everything seems fine, I just got worried
 
My fish know when I feed them. They generally fear me and hide if I get too close. But around the time I feed, they swim at the top of the tank whenever I get close. And I'll put the turkey baster in the tank to get some water to mix with the frozen food and they move out of the way, but then start swimming towards the top after it is out. It's really neat to watch.

-Chris
 
I feed when I get a chance which is usually at lunch time, and 7 ish when I get off work.

Now corals on the other hand, micros, acans etc seem to fee alot better when lights are out. Tenticles swaying etc.
 
It's a zooplankton thing.

Actually, I think LPS corals are the coolest in the world. During the day, they puff up nice and big to increase their surface area so that more light can be caught by zooxanthellae. And at night, when they don't need the light, but also when more zooplankton are out, they puff down and put out their feeding tentacles to capture prey. Way too cool! :)
 
Right O' Paul and if you can get your sun coral to come out when lights are on you will have a nice little display of color...
 
While on the feeding topic, what is everyone feeding their fish? I'm using a compination of pellets and frozen brine shrimp.
 
I feed nori, formula 2 flakes, and PE mysis (the really high protein mysis). I'm not plugging PE mysis or anything, but when I started using it my fish colored up a lot. My virigated rabbitfish looked really gray and bland all the time. Now he is a beautiful striped color (when he isn't mad at me).
 
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