What do you feed your corals?
- Thread starter Alex1524
- Start date
ERivera65
Member
one thing I will say on this subject of feeding corals is that some people will say its not necessary since corals in the ocean aren't target fed food or anything. while yes some corals can live on feedings from their zooxanthellae, corals in the ocean will get supplement feedings from the plankton/food matter in the water column in the ocean. I believe I have heard from experts that our tanks do not produce sufficient amounts of food matter or even plankton to populate the water column, especially ones without a refugium and that's why our tanks usually will benefit from feeding of coral foods. while's its not necessary, most tanks that get fed will always do better if fed in an efficient way and a sufficient amount. ever since I started to feed my corals in an efficient way, my coral growth has been way better and polyps and colonies have grow in size and numbers. I have also not lost a coral which I have lost some before when I was not feeding with coral foods.
Alex1524
Member
^^ Well said! Nothing can mimic the ocean especially the phyto and zooplankton and any other food in the water column. As hobbiest we are restricted to a closed system and there's only so much fish poop can do. I've never really fed my corals before that's why I was wondering what everyone is feeding. I would say the majority of my friends who have tanks feed something whether it be frozen food or food specifically for corals. It's scientifically proven that when feeding Reef Chili for example, growth rate and color were positively impacted. Furthermore, the Reef Chili had the best results amongst whatever other products they compared it to with the smallest dosage. When everyone keeps saying "a little goes a long way" is the truth. Can't wait to start using it when my tank is ready. I'm sure ill see results!
AquamanE
Active member
I feed the S$it out of my tank. Frozen, reef chilli, reef roids, coral frenzy, Zoo plan, phytoplan, any thing i can get my hands on. and BTW i just pour it in. No feed mode on powerheads, etc.... I vary it up. One day this combo, the next another.
We truly dont know what our tanks inhabitants need on a given basis since we have a number of different species in our tanks at any given time, so i choose to vary it up a bit.
However this mean a good export option needs to be in place, ie good protein skimmer, WC, etc....
We truly dont know what our tanks inhabitants need on a given basis since we have a number of different species in our tanks at any given time, so i choose to vary it up a bit.
However this mean a good export option needs to be in place, ie good protein skimmer, WC, etc....
^^ This.
I was always the opposite as Eddy in that I never fed corals only fishes, but I also had great colors and success. I attributed it to feeding the fishes heavily and heavy skimming. I think it's more about the availability of some food (and nitrates :: gasp :: ) to get your colors up.
AquamanE
Active member
Dude- when you coming home?- you've been on the college plan now a good 8 years, Whats up with that?????
IMHO- Feeding is feeding, but you have to do it. I like to mix it up. Although many feed cyclops/zooplankton for corals, many fish love it too.
Lol I'm in NYC for the forseeable future. I just stick around cause FMAS was always my reefing family. It's amazing to see how far the group has come as a group and as a bunch of individuals, so I want to keep engaged, especially now that I'm getting back into the hobby.
I was good about my college plan. 4 + 1 + 1 and came away with a handful of degrees, thank you very much.
I always feed cyclops and other frozen foods (Roggers and PE mysis were favorites), and the corals got fed that way. I'm having to be extra careful these days though, because skimmers aren't efficient enough in a 29g tank to cover up your feeding mistakes.
I was good about my college plan. 4 + 1 + 1 and came away with a handful of degrees, thank you very much.
I always feed cyclops and other frozen foods (Roggers and PE mysis were favorites), and the corals got fed that way. I'm having to be extra careful these days though, because skimmers aren't efficient enough in a 29g tank to cover up your feeding mistakes.
