Coral Food

[cbianco]

I have never feed my corals anything. Till now I have relied on lighting and what ever else may be in the tank.

MattK gave me some Kent phytoplankton, that I have been regurlarly feeding to the aquarium. There is no rhyme or reason to my feeding, I have been squirting in 1 ml a day.

I have two questions.

1. What would be the most appropriate food to add to my tank, for the corals to eat? (i.e. type, specific brand, etc...)

2. How should I feed the corals? (i.e. can I just squirt it into the tank, no worries?)

I look forward to varied responses. Thanks in advance.

Christopher

[cpreefguy]

I really like Marine Snow by Two Little Fishies. Ive used Kents phytoplex, and DTs plankton, but I think this stuff is way better based on my corals' reacton to it after adding it to my tank
HTH

[Ross]

I agree with Sean, i only use phytoplex or phytoplankton to feed my clams.

[cbianco]

I really like Marine Snow by Two Little Fishies. Ive used Kents phytoplex, and DTs plankton, but I think this stuff is way better based on my corals' reacton to it after adding it to my tank
HTH

Marine Snow (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=TL3111)

Sean, how do you feed the Marine Snow? Do you turn off the pumps? Do you have any idea how much the Marine Snow fouls your water?


I agree with Sean, i only use phytoplex or phytoplankton to feed my clams.

Are you saying that a phyto- based product is not proper for corals? or is this just a personal prefrence?

The reason that I ask is; When corals are in their natural environment they (for the most part) filter feed. Since the ocean is filled with flora (and of course fauna) this would constitue a majority of their diet. So my assumption would be that corals would eat this.

Thanks guys :)

Christopher

[cbianco]

Double Post

:P

[cpreefguy]

The marine snow needs to be put into turbulent water so I keep my pumps on. According to the label, you cant overfeed marine snow, so thats one of the reasons I lean towards it

[cbianco]

I went to the Two Little Fishes website and I was not able to find the "ingredients" for the Marine Snow. Could you give a quick run down of what is in Marine Snow please.

Sean, I like the idea of not having to turn off of any of my pumps to feed. It makes life so much easier, lol.

Christopher

[JeremyGlen]

When I was feeding the marine snow all the time, I did notice quite a difference in the health and color of my hard corals. You just add it in a very strong current of water and it breaks up and disperses throughout the aquarium. I like to add mine right where the return pump sucks the water from my sump. I also was adding/overdosing the superconcentrated Chromamax from Kent to help with the color as well.

[mkengr45]

Sean, do you turn off your skimmer when you dose marine snow? I havent dosed any coral foods in a long time, but I used to use DT's and would always turn off the skimmer. It seemed like everytime I got a bottle of DT's it smelled horrible like it was all dead already, so I stopped buying it. Does the marine snow smell like a bad bottle of DT's? Last, have you noticed any good effects on yuor rics using it....

Randy

[cpreefguy]

Hey Randy,
Im with you. Everytime I would buy a bottle of DTs it always smelled rotten. The marine snow can be stored at room temp, but once you open it you have to refridgerate it. I didnt notice incredible results from any one coral, but I did notice the polyps on my SPS go crazy after adding it.
The rics look sweet though, I want more! ;)

[cbianco]

Does anyone know what Marine Snow is made up of?

Christopher

[hobogato]

here's what i add twice a week - i know, most of it is too large for my sps, but i have lots of lps and zoas, not to mention clams. i add this stuff into the clam tank so they get first shot at it.

three capfulls (15mL)coral stimulator from CB pets

one capfull of each of these:
phytoplex, zooplex, microvert, and chromaplex

4 drops of ZoeCon (this shuts down my skimmer for a few hours, so the liquid food isnt pulled out immediately)

keep in mind, i have about a 400 gallon system, so it isnt as much as it seems.

on the days i add this stuff - some of my sps have 1/2" long polyps - im not kidding.

[cbianco]

three capfulls (15mL)coral stimulator from CB pets


I have never heard of this. Does CB Pets make this in house? I am assuming that this is coral food, not just a stimulator.


...coral stimulator from CB pets...
phytoplex, zooplex, microvert, and chromaplex...
4 drops of ZoeCon

Ace, your confusing me here. :wacko Stop adding so much. :D

Sounds good! Do you know what is in Marine Snow, lol.

Christopher

[Ram_Puppy]

cbianco,

coral stimulator is something CB pets carries, but they don't mix it up. :)

I can't confirm it, but I think this product is based on the concept of carbon dosnig (sugar/vodka). it's got a sweet apple cider vinegar smell to it. if it's a carbon source, then the dosing is pretty light, and it will simply cause the bacteria in your tank to bloom slightly while they eat the excess nutrients out of your water.

I have noticed my live rocks ejecting waste out of the the pores when using the product, which I expect is bacterial waste being pushed out by more bacteria growing, and thus perhaps unclogging the rocks pores? I don't know, I just know that when I use it, everything has looked happier. :) (granted i am only keeping a coco worm and a feather duster right now but that will change soon.)

I actually use Tahitian Blend, which i think is comparable to DT's but bottled locally so it's fresh.

[JeremyGlen]

Marine snow is just what the bottle says. It is all the crap that floats around in the water naturally. I think it has kelp in it too.