Target feeding

I have a 14g, do a 2g water change every weekend. I want to target feed my candy canes and acans for some better growth. But will this kill my tank with nitrates?

 

Kill the pumps for a half hour so the coral gets all of the food. Yes, your nitrates will rise after the coral goes to the bathroom. However, if you are doing a water change every weekend, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

So turn off the pumps, feed them, turn them back one after 30 or so?

 

yep

 

agreed with everything said above!!

Your LPS are going to LOVE you for target feeding!!!! You should see extra PE a few days after your feedings. I always see enhanced PE on mine after a feeding. LPS by nature of their physiology are more dependent on supplemental feedings than SPS which have, by comparison, tiny polyps that can produce enough food by filter feeding and symbiotic zooanthalae production. LPS, however, because of their larger polyp size tend to need more supplemental feedings to support their comparatively massive fleshy parts.

 

My powerhead has a 'feed' button - I hit that, then target feed for a couple minutes. My sump pump is still going as is my skimmer, but I think most of it runs around in the display first.

I release right in front of the coral and look for polyp retraction when I do it to know it got some.

I try to feed at least 3 times a week. I had this Coral-Frenzy jar laying around from a trade-show I think and I started using that. I throw a 1/4 teaspoon in a shot glass (1/4 full) with tank water, mix and fill the pipette with it. I have noticed a big reaction from my acros in about 2 weeks time in regards to new growth shoots. I started to do this because I noticed one of my torts on the way out - since doing this, its base has noticeably expanded and has new shoots on top. I am psyched. Big fan of target feeding now.

matt

 

I would also add that they are probably good being feed every three days to once a week. That way you are not adding too many nutrients to your system too often. Rinse any frozen foods prior to target feeding. Use a simple turkey baster or equiv. Sometimes I feed a very small amount wait about 15 minutes for the corals to open further for feeding and then feed the rest.

 

Good point. I re-feed a couple times when I see the polyps come out again too.
I am probably over-feeding. But my fuge is packed and I do 1/3 water changes every 2 weeks now too so I am not sweating it too much.

 

When I feed my corals I turn off my skimmer and my canister for 2 hours I feed twice a week. I do have very good growth. Am I feeding wrong. I dose the tank instead of spot feeding.

 

If it is working for you I would not change it. Currently not running a skimmer but when I was the skimmer stopped producing any skimmate for about 2 hours.