feeding vs. overfeeding

[dclegern]

trying to figure out why I have so much waste in the tank.
5-6 fish at any time in a 75 gallon tank w/ a decent clean up crew.
I feed sparingly every other day, and my sump filter picks up any extras.

Maybe being overly clean freak about things???

[KING]

well i wouldn't say your over feeding..i feed 3 times a day..an i know a few that do as well with no problem..im not a big fan of the every other day feeding but so do as well..just imo..they r hungry ever day like my self..lol.

[dclegern]

I'm dealing with heavy detritus and random algae issues, and all other parameters are in check.

[Sherita]

Sounds like not enough random flow in the tank to keep the grot suspended. Might try moving some powerheads around, or moving your returns.

The other thing you can do is use a turkey baster to blow the rocks off just before you do a water change, that helps get the nasties out too.

Don't worry about your feeding schedule, I also feed every other day, my fish are fat and happy. If your fish are in good health, and you are already fighting algae and detritus buildup, the last thing you want to do is add more problems by feeding heavier. What do you feed your fish? It's been my experience that flakes and pellets seem to cause more algae issues and trash buildup than frozen.

Tell us more about your tank and it's inhabitants, then maybe someone can offer more extensive advise. Be sure to include your latest water parameters, and what filtration you are using (sump, canister, etc).

[Europhyllia]

It depends on the type of fish how easily you can get away with this feeding schedule. Since fish are not warmblooded most are able to survive on this convenience diet kind of approach for a long time, others will definitely not have enough reserves in times of stress. Just please don't ever get seahorses. ;)

Here's an article that has (in my opinion) a lot of excellent info in it in regards to both food as well as algae management:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/eb/index.php

[dclegern]

thanks for the article Euophylia.
Sherita....
I've got a 75 gal drilled at the back, w/ 20 gal sump. Mag 9.5 running 1" pipe so roughly 10X turnover. + 2- koralia 3 power heads.
Roughly 80lbs of life rock staggered in a shallow crushed coral bed
skimmer, phosphate trap/sponge slanted in the sump to pull particulates after skimmer.
300w of halides on top.
Inhabitants are all softies.... 15+ snails of various demeanor, a few snails, and 5 fish(puffer, hawk, damsel, clown, and a chromis)

[Sherita]

dclegern - I would start by upping your water changes, and before you do your changes use a turkey baster or small powerhead to blow the detritus off the rocks and get it into the water column so you can remove some of it with your water change. How deep is that crushed coral bed? I'm just curious, since I have heard from more than one source that cc is bad about trapping detritus and causing nuisance algae.

How old are your halide bulbs? Sometimes older bulbs can cause nuisance algae. And I still suspect that your detritus buildup is due to a lack of turbulent water movement in the tank. You might try relocating a couple of powerheads, or maybe using a small wavemaker.

Karin -"Just please don't ever get seahorses." That wasn't necessary. I have pipefish, and I am well aware of their feeding needs. The tank having the problem does not have pipefish, or seahorses, and additional food load right now will just make things worse.

[Reefer madness92]

I'm with the power head idea but I think u need a couple barely Disturbing the sand on both ends and the middle I know it seems like a lot but w/e works right?