How and what to feed Softies (Zoanthid's, Paly's, Mushrooms, Ricordea, Toadstool)? fo

[that Fish Guy]

I was wondering if there was a way to feed Soft Corals (Zoanthid's, Paly's, Mushrooms, Ricordea, Toadstool)?

So is there a way to feed them to get better growth?

And if so how and what do you recommend feeding them?

 

[mfinn]

Years ago I tried alot of the commercial coral foods that said they were for softies.
It seemed like I was always battling one kind of pest algae or another.
I stopped about 10-11 years ago and the algae problems just faded away.
I only do regular water changes, and add food for my fish.

 

[reefergeorge]

Fish poop. My experience is the same as above, just less time.

 

[MediTank]

i have used what is called "Reef Roids" or "Reef Snow".... you simply put a bit in water, suck it up in a turkey baster, they spray each colony or mushroom with the mixture.... it is basically ground up plankton, mysis shrimp, and other essential nutrients.... the zoanthids and palys will grow slowly... its just in their nature, but the mushrooms will expand quickly allowing you to cut them and make more! just make sure you turn off your pump before so all the dust doesnt get blown into the overflow. HAPPY REEFING :bounce3::bounce2::bounce3:

 

[that Fish Guy]

i have used what is called "Reef Roids" or "Reef Snow".... you simply put a bit in water, suck it up in a turkey baster, they spray each colony or mushroom with the mixture.... it is basically ground up plankton, mysis shrimp, and other essential nutrients.... the zoanthids and palys will grow slowly... its just in their nature, but the mushrooms will expand quickly allowing you to cut them and make more! just make sure you turn off your pump before so all the dust doesnt get blown into the overflow. HAPPY REEFING :bounce3::bounce2::bounce3:

So what is the difference between Reef Roids and Reef Snow?

 

[Bpb]

I've asked this same question to people I've met who have spectacular massive zoa colonies. These people are also running mostly sps dominant tanks with zoas occupying their entire sandbeds. Best tanks I've seen in person. The owners answers? "Nls pellets for the fish, that's it. Fish poop feeds the corals. Aggressive nutrient export combined with heavy fish feeding". Easy enough.

 

[ExploitedSanity]

I used to feed mysis directly to my hairy mushrooms and various polyps and they loved it.

 

[LouisianaReefer]

I fed my ricordia very small pellets designed for LPS corals. Ricordias are able to migrate the pellets to the center mouth. They seem to be very healthy.

 

[SushiGirl]

For my softies with small polyps, I just squirt them with the water I thaw the mysis in. I don't bother with the zoas. Tons of growth with my leathers and the zoas just take time, a couple of kinds are growing like crazy (cheap ones LOL). Time with consistent parameters is the most important factor. There is no magic way to make stuff grow fast. The longer it's healthy in your tank, the faster it will grow once it starts.