Need advice on feeding mixed SPS--- target or broadcast?

[redfishsc]

I know this is an opinionated type answer, so opinions are welcome!


I have a 3-tank setup that's about 80g total water volume (at least). The display tanks are a 25g SPS/LPS tank, a 20-long soft coral/LPS tank, and a 15" cube that will be a frag tank once it's lighted.


Anyhow, I want to feed the SPS tank without wasting SPS food on the soft coral tank or having it diluted into the sump and the 29g fuge.

I have a medium fish load--- 9 fish in the whole system, none of them bigger than a half grown percula clown (a few damsels, gobies, and half grown percs). I feed lightly 3X a week. The equivalent of a cube and a half at the most.

I dose Vitamin C and get great results (cannot detect nitrate/phosphate on the Salifert and Seachem kits, respectively).


So here's where I'm looking for opinions:

1) Do you recommend I increase the fish load in the SPS tank for fish poo food, and just dose more aggresively on the Vitamin C (and maybe use some vodka)?

2) Would I be better off dosing amino acids? Can you recommend a good brand that works for you?

3) Would I be better off using a particulate food like Rod's food or BRS Reef chili?

4) Combination of two or three?



Finally, how long would you say it's fine to shut off the system pump so that ONLY the 25g tank gets the majority of the food? I could shut if off for a few hours at a time when I'm at home, and maybe do this twice or 3X a week?


In case you wonder what kinds of SPS I have, it's mostly a lot of frags of bird's nest varieites, 8-10 acro species, 6-8 different monti species (cap, digi, encrusting, elkhorn), hydnophora, and turbinaria. Only a couple are any bigger than a 2" frag.

 

[luther1200]

I think Oyster Feast and Roti Feast are the best for deeing SPS. I have never seen a better feeding response with anything else I have tried.

 

[seminolecpa]

I think Oyster Feast and Roti Feast are the best for deeing SPS. I have never seen a better feeding response with anything else I have tried.

Agree. I usually add a small amount of Oyster Feast in the tank, wait a little bit and then add the Roti Feast. It seems that many of my SPS and LPS in the tank will send out feeding sweepers and/or have greater polyp extension after I add the OF. I probably do it once or twice a week. Otherwise fish poo for everyone.

 

[Mick213]

Well I might not have the Post's. I feed my corals and fish @ the same time I like to use Oyster feast, Coral Amino from Brightwell Aquatics, And also Oceans Blend Coral Vibrance.Let that sit in some tank water for about 10 Min.Then I turn off the Skimmer and main pump and turn my MP10 to feed mode and dose the tank once a week I have a 90 Galolon Reef tank no pick's just yet I'v had it for years.

 

[Mick213]

I'v never tryed Vitamin C ...How dose that Work anyhow?

 

[redfishsc]

Thanks for all the tips, y'all!

How much would you say, of the Oyster feast and Roti-feast, would you put in a 25g tank? I know this is somewhat dependant on stocking levels. Also, do you target feed or broadcast feed?

I'v never tryed Vitamin C ...How dose that Work anyhow?

It's not really a food, it's more dosing a carbon source for bacterial consumption of nitrate and phosphate.... aka vodka dosing. I have excellent results with it.

If you do a search on it, you'll probably dig up the main thread on Vitamin C dosing--- it's in the Zoanthid forum. The big disclaimer here is that you need to use a buffered powder form, and most people order it from www.iherb.com (buffered sodium ascorbate powder).

 

[luther1200]

I target feed sometimes, and broadcast sometimes. Depends what I feel like. I usually turn off my return pump for 30 minutes or so also. I would add about 1/3tsp or aq 1/4tsp for a 25g.