Feeding you coral

[Jon]

I have a 58 gallon mixed reef tank. I used to feed my coral DT's every other day and my tank is very healthy. Today I went to buy more DT's and they were out. The guy at the LFS told me about cyclopeze and I am going to give it a shot. He said to feed it to my tank about once a week and everything should be fine. Does this sound right? What are your thoughts on cyclopeze and how have the results been. This is all that I am going to feed my coral besides dosing calcium, alkalinity and magnesium to keep them at the proper levels.

Jon

 

[calaxa]

I use cyclopeeze regularly for my non photosynthetics as well as rotifers. Many fish/shrimps/crabs/snails eat it as well. I used to add phyto but not sure what was eating it except for copepods. In the past, I didn't even do additional feedings. I couldn't tell you whether my corals grew slower or faster with or without the supplemental feedings. I can tell you algae grew faster with additional feedings.

 

[Jon]

Calaxa how many times a week do you use cyclopeze?
Jon

 

[calaxa]

Jon,

Since I have non photos, I need it daily, sometimes 2x a night. I don't recommend that feeding regimen to anyone who doesn't need it though. It's very hard to balance that and cyano/algae blooms.

 

[Jon]

Calaxa, would you consider a small mout once every other day excessive. I hate cyano/algea blooms and just got my last one under control. I don't want it to reappear.
Jon

 

[calaxa]

Jon,

It's hard to say. I cannot give you a good answer or any type of reassurance. I can only say start off with very little. Try to see if the corals are actually feeding (this is gonna be subjective too). See if they will extend polyps when you do it. See if any fish/inverts help in eating the stuff. I am starting to see traces of cyano again after 3 months with this routine but the non photos leave me little choice unless they all get moved to a lagoon style tank (which I thought about). Sorry if this wasn't helpful.

 

[Jon]

Calaxa, thanks for your thoughts.

 

[rafal07013]

this is a very intersting topic and i hope other could share their experience. i was wondering myself how much extra should i do. I try to feed corals/fish with more food a day before doing water change. so they get a little bit of garlic veggie/meat pallets every day and once a week heavy frozen food of multiple varieties.

 

[mgonz]

Hello everyone. I think it all depends on your clean up crew also fish and coral. Filtration as well. I have a 75 gal fully stocked with sps and lps. I feed my fish twice a day and feed my coral every night. I alternate between Rotifer, cyclopeze, and reef chili. And I really dontvsee the crazy alge blooms. I started off light but now I feed that way. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Build up to it and see how your system reacts to it. Always start lightly.

 

[qwik]

I read someplace that corals take up much more nutrients after lights are out for at least an hour (dont quote me ) . Besides the coral feeding more it also leaves less of the food in the water because it is being consumed. I think I read it in the brightwells neo pdf file but not sure .
I add all my supplements after lights out and also feed coral frenzy at least twice a week . I also have a healthy fish load (fish poop )and dont prewash my foods . I believe you wash away too many nutrients that way . I just stick the frozen food right onto my Vortech screen and let it dice and deliver it for me . Now all my fish just stay in front of the vortech with there mouths open getting force fed. I dont know if there smart,lazy or both .Just be carefull,coral frenzy will case a bloom really fast if overdosed .

 

[mgonz]

yes I do feed the coral rotifer cyclopeze and the rods coral blend about two hours after lights go out. That is when feeder tenticals are most fully extended.