Is coral feeding worth it?

[Cubman777]

I was just wondering if anyone has found beneficial effects from feading their corals? I know that my LPS and Xenia and anything else that people target feed seem to grow pretty fast in my tank anyway. I cant really imagine that theres much room for an increase in growth rate. Does anyone out there have any kind of empirical experience in favor of feeding?
To me it seems like the negative effects of pumping extra nutrients into the water dont outweight the positives of feeding.

 

[gobind]

HI WHAT I VE BEEN DOING IS TO FEED MY CORALS ONCE EVERY 2 WEEKS FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS AND IT HAS SHOWN GOOD RESULTS. IN THE WILD IF YOU IMAGINE CORALS DO GET A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FOOD APART FORM LIGHT.

 

[David Grigor]

Unless the coral in question is not photosynthetic, In most cases target feeding is not necessary. For my LPS dominate tanks, A coral may occasionally grab some fish food but other than that I do not target feed. Of course there are some corals that require feeding so research on the particular corals is required. Also exception should be made when a coral is damaged, small, or otherwise not looking healthy.

 

[duec22]

Well, I run a mixed tank with SPS and LPS. Since I've got to keep the water extreamly clean for the SPS, my LPS really need suplimental feedings to look their best.

 

[jessp]

i don't know if it is neccessary, but i make a cyclopeeze phytoplankton tea, and almost all of my lps opens to feed. they may not need it but they seem to enjoy the feeding. i dont have any sps so i don't have the concerns of prestine water. I don't over do it though, only once every couple weeks.

 

[BLANKENSHIP76]

I think softies will grow faster with coral feedings and I have noticed better growth from my frogspawn when I feed it twice a week. Other than that all the corals seem to enjoy it but grow at the same rate.

 

[ReefMonger]

I think it is totally worth it. Since corals have a feeding apparatus they obviously use it for something. Will they do fine without feedings perhaps but I have better growth when they are being fed.

 

[Cubman777]

wow, I am suprised. I didnt expect to recieve so many positives for feeding.

 

[duec22]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7940249#post7940249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefMonger
I think it is totally worth it. Since corals have a feeding apparatus they obviously use it for something. Will they do fine without feedings perhaps but I have better growth when they are being fed.

I totally agree with that statement. I even apply that to my SPS....they have poylps for a reason. Just like LPS have feeding tenicals for a reason.

 

[Cubman777]

could the same be said for our appendix. . .

 

[jessp]

if our appendix had a function like the feeding tentacles then the same could be said....

 

[duec22]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7944233#post7944233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cubman777
could the same be said for our appendix. . .

The appendix may not be as useless as first thought....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermiform_appendix
Just because we haven't determined it's function (if it has one), doesn't mean it doesn't have one.

 

[jrhupp]

I think when it comes to feeding your corals its a question of knowing the requirements of the animals you keep. No blanket yes or know answer. Many corals don't meet all their nutritional needs through photosynthesis, this is particulary true for many LPS. So, if my LPS will eat I feed them (same for Zoanthids and Corallimorpharians). I have grown a Fungia from about the size of a thumbnail (the product of someone else not feeding the parent) to a solid 4" in a little over a year with weekly feedings of chopped up shrimp.

Jay

 

[Cubman777]

The appendix may not be as useless as first thought....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermiform_appendix
Just because we haven't determined it's function (if it has one), doesn't mean it doesn't have one.

LOL

 

[bklynmet]

I've just started down the LPS myself and apologize if I'm going a little off topic. I tend to follow the logic (and agree) that targeted feedings are good for the LPS.

The thing that puzzles me is the type of food being fed and what it can actullay digest effectively. Should phytoplankton be fed or something meatier like shrimp? Consequently, I worry about the extra nutrients that different foods leave in the tank.

 

[t_wolf323]

I have been target feeding my Blasto's and have had both colonies add 6-10 new polips in the last 3-4 months. Seems to work for me.

 

[Cubman777]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I feel like I am not really getting the types of answers that I set out for. I agree that feeding corals can be beneficial to their growth etc., but is that worth the additional nutrients being introduced into the water?

 

[Justin74]

I think it is soo worth it. Ive been getting great results with PE Mysis, and reefnutrition Roti-feast

-Justin

 

[BLANKENSHIP76]

As long as you are skimming good, and don't overfeed your corals. The extra nutrients are usually used up or skimmed out. Also a lot of fish will eat some of the coral foods, like reef chili. My fish go nuts for this.

I would recommend getting a product like reef chili (Really is an all around product and reasonably priced), use it twice a week for a couple months. Check your level and once your comfortable with it not polluting you water feed more. See how the corals respond, I think thats the only way you will know.

 

[duec22]

It also depends a lot on how you feed. I don't just go randomly dumping food in the tank in the hopes that a coral might catch it (except for Roti-Feast). All the LPS are target fed though a syringe, so hardly any is left to decay.