Over Feeding?

[GlassReef]

I've just about completed my new 500gal + system. In the past, like many of us, I always made sure to feed sparingly. My DT has a fish load of 18. I decided to undertake an experiment - I've been feeding like crazy, but my PO4 and NO3 are both zero! So, I'm wondering, can we feed as much as our fish/corals would like as long as our params stay low? Or do we have to stick to the general rule about feeding as little as possible? If so, why?

 

[Untamed12]

I would say that the only downside to heavy feeding is the accumulation of NO3 and PO4....and then we do a lot of things to keep those under control. So as long as NO3 and PO4 aren't a problem, feed away!

Maybe those twin skimmers are doing a great job for you.

 

[GlassReef]

LOL! They seem to be! Actually, I was trying to start a bit of a discussion on the subject of overfeeding. I think we are a little too fearful when it comes to the amount we should feed. I intend to feed until the fish stop eating or the params start rising.

 

[Reefer Steve]

Im wondering as well

 

[ludnix]

I figure if you're not fighting any nuisance algae and the parameters are good then you can go ahead an feed more, I know I have to limit my feeding or else I start to see large diatom blooms and cyano.

 

[Eldredge]

I am not an expert, but I believe in adequate feeding. I feed three times a day without a good skimmer (I improving it though), and my nitrates have been zero for a long time. I do fight algae though. I like the idea of getting something that eats whatever I don't like (a sea hare in this case). I don't have a lot of stony coral, but I do have a few acroporas, a couble of montis, some lps etc. everything seems to do well. I only have five fish right now (and one in qt), so that might help.

Anyway, I am very interested in this topic too. I am not willing to starve my fish. It amazes me how tanks seem to develop into unique bio-systems. I am detertmined to make mine one that is capable of dealing with adequate feedings.

 

[crvz]

Feeding definitely depends on the systems ability to handle bioload. If you have a lot of fish, but bad nutrient export, feeding sparingly is definitely needed to avoid long-term nutrient build up issues. If you design the system to handle as much as you can throw at it, then by all means there's good reason to feed enough to keep the fish from begging. to me, this is the beauty of a barebottom setup. high flow and good skimming allow you to dump as much food in the tank as you want without it becoming trapped in live rock, the sandbed, or other low-flow areas that will collect these wastes and allow them to essentially rot, which release the phosphate and can definitely be a nitrate issue. Some folks utilize other nutrient export means (macro algaes, siphoning wastes, filter socks, ATS, etc.), but ultimately, as long as you have a good way to remove wastes and can keep up with them, feed all you like.

 

[redfishsc]

I'm with the above... if you can get away with it... feed'em!


There was a thread around here of a guy with a huge tank (not quite 500g I think) full of non-photosynthetic corals and a TON of fish. The fish poop provided some nice food for the corals. That would take a lot of fish turd.

So long as your fish and CUC are actually eating all the food within an hour or two of you putting it in there, I see no reason to skimp.


I would move slowly, however, as in everything in this hobby...

 

[GlassReef]

When I set up my new system I tried to make sure that I get rid of excess nutrients as quickly as possibe. I installed dual skimmers, dual filter socks that are changed each day, a large CUC that keeps algae at a minimum. I do have a sand bed but it's very shallow - max 1". So far it all seems to be working out very well. I really like the effect that the heavy feeding is having on the fish. Of course I'll have to keep a very close watch at what's happening with my params, etc. But so far, so good. It's good to get such positive feedback on the feeding issue. I thought I might be heading in the wrong direction.

 

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14707718#post14707718 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
When I set up my new system I tried to make sure that I get rid of excess nutrients as quickly as possibe. I installed dual skimmers, dual filter socks that are changed each day, a large CUC that keeps algae at a minimum. I do have a sand bed but it's very shallow - max 1". So far it all seems to be working out very well. I really like the effect that the heavy feeding is having on the fish. Of course I'll have to keep a very close watch at what's happening with my params, etc. But so far, so good. It's good to get such positive feedback on the feeding issue. I thought I might be heading in the wrong direction.

Assuming you keep up with the husbandry, a tank setup as you describe should be able to handle a huge amount of food/wastes. Good luck!