Best Food For Corals? And Times?

[TaknByD]

I was wondering what do you guys think is the best food for coral. Not only to keep them happy but for growth as well... The few pieces I have in my tank right now seem to be doing very well... But I'm not sure as to what I should be feeding them. Right now I am giving them KENT Marine stuff... One is called "ZooPlex" which is a Marine Zooplankton for planktivorous fish and inverts and I dose every other day. The other is called, "Coral Accel" which it stimulates the growth of hard and soft coral. I dose this twice a week (on days that I am not dosing the zooplex). I also have been adding purple up twice a week.

I am extremely new to the coral side of things and was just wanting some input on what was some good stuff to get in order to make my corals grow and be healthy. Also what would be the best times to feed and whatnot? Thanks in advance...

PS. I have heard some talk about Coral Frenzy? Didn't know if this stuff was worth getting? Thanks again...

[tebstan]

What kind of corals do you have? That's a Big factor.

[tebstan]

I know some people that use strictly Kent products out of brand loyalty... they've used it for years and have no problems, so stick with what works for them.

Personally though, I like to try a little bit of everything. Coral Frenzy is a staple in my coral diet. I also use a ton of other stuff. The truth is, there is very little about what certain corals need or 'like.' So I toss a bunch of stuff at them, hoping they get they what they need, and take care of the mess afterward through CUC, bio pellets, and water changes. I feed a large variety, in small quantities, but frequently. I used to feed just in the dawn/dusk periods since the corals seem to react better, but now that I feed almost constantly, they seem to eat almost constantly.

Purple up isn't harmful but long term might not be your best option for increasing calcium. It depends on how many SPS, LPS, clams etc you end up with. Coral Accel is just a vitamin/amino acid supplement right? You might want to add some phyto into the mix.

I have clams and LPS, no SPS, a few NPS, and a bunch of softies and weird filter feeders. I feed 12 different dry foods, 10 different frozen foods, and 5 different refrigerated foods. If I ever go out of town I feel sorry for the person put in charge of my feeding regimen.

[TaknByD]

Thanks for the info Tebstan. I have some waving hands, a few zoas, an acan, and a colony of candy cane. I also have a torch and am getting a frogspawn from Mr.Cob... I seem to have been doing some serious shopping with Mr. Cob lately. LoL

[Scream311]

(If I ever go out of town I feel sorry for the person put in charge of my feeding regimen.)

No kidding lol

[tebstan]

Waving hands, is that anthelia or xenia? Eh, both are hardy and you don't need to worry about them. Same with *most* zoas. I've seen my zoas close up on food bits, but you don't have to worry about them either. When I was trying to encourage growth I sprayed them with tiny micron sized food - careful not to use to much force or they close up in defense, not feeding. Acans will catch food on their own, but may benefit from target feeding depending on how your fish behave and how much you feed. (Fish and shrimp like to steal from slow eating LPS.) They'll be more likely to feed naturally at night, but you can 'train' them on daytime feeding too. Candy Canes will benefit from target feeding, they sometimes have a slower feeding response. The torch will spread those tentacles to grab what it needs, so I've never had to target feed. I assume the frogspawn should be the same. If you broadcast feed enough food to send hermit crabs scattering, you shouldn't need to target feed.

[TaknByD]

Wow, sounds awesome! The waving hands are the Anthelia kind. So pretty much everything I have will do good with what I have on hand already? Oh and I also have some rics now. I forgot to mention those. Thanks for the prompt responses. I really appreciate it.

[stoneroller]

I also have been adding purple up twice a week.

If you are adding supplements like Purple Up to maintain calcium or alkalinity, then you should also be testing to see what effect you are having on water chemistry. You can easily overdose your tank with serious consequences. IMO two-part solutions are about right for your size of tank but don't dose unless you test. PS. I use Coral Frenzy (well worth it IME), frozen cyclop-eeze, mysis, Tropic Marin LPS pellets, and others -- I feed at all hours of the cycle and probably overfeed -- but I have a good skimmer, remote deep sand bed and fuge. Good luck!