Feeding the Reef-New To The Hobby-3reef Forums

Snafu · 12-02-2006, 01:50 PM

What should I be feeding my reef ???

I have this some food that the lfs gave me, a brown bottle made by Kemps I think, and a red bottle I believe it's Iodine and that's it.

I feel that I should be doing more.

How often should I feed the reef ?

amcarrig · 12-02-2006, 02:02 PM

Less is more. With what you've got, I don't see a need to feed anything as the corals will eat whatever you feed your fish and whatever algae you scrape off the glass. Now, that being said, I notice that you have a gorgonian. Do you have any idea what color the polyps are?

Snafu · 12-02-2006, 02:09 PM

Green ,and Yellow

amcarrig · 12-02-2006, 02:16 PM

Any chance you can post a picture of the coral with the polyps open? Most of the gorgonians I've seen in the hobby have either white or brown polyps so I have no idea what kind you've got.

Snafu · 12-02-2006, 04:26 PM

[color="Red"][/CSorry I was thinking of the wrong things.
YES mine are white

OLOR]

amcarrig · 12-02-2006, 04:40 PM

If the polyps on the gorgonian are white, the chances of survival in aquaria are dismal. Heavy feedings of zooplankton, enough to foul your tank at times, are usually necessary to keep it alive. How long have you had this particular gorgonian?

Not to get away from the subject but, other than your gorgonian, I don't see anything else in your tank that requires supplemental feeding. You could feed the anemone some meaty foods every month or so but only if you want it to get very large or split. I don't see the need for you to add any iodine if you're doing regular water changes with a quality salt mix.

Snafu · 12-02-2006, 04:54 PM

I've had the gorgonian About three mos. not as many polyps are comming out as before, but still looks good.

For water changes I do about 10% every 2 weeks.
I use Instan Ocean salt

amcarrig · 12-02-2006, 05:00 PM

You should not have to add any additional iodine with that water change routine and when it comes to feeding, as I mentioned before, I don't see much that requires supplemental feeding EXCEPT MAYBE the anemones, if that's something you feel the need to do. The gorgonian, like I mentioned, doesn't have much of a chance but if you wanted to try to feed it, target feed it when the lights are out (when the chances of its polyps being open is greater) with cyclops or another type of small-ish zooplankton. Expect to see a decline in water quality, however, if you do decide to target feed the coral as often as it would need to feed in the wild inorder to stay alive.

Snafu · 12-02-2006, 05:06 PM

WOW Thanks for the Tips. Like I allways say you people are GREAT!!!

Snafu · 12-02-2006, 05:07 PM

By the way Nice PIC. of the Love Bird