How offten do you feed your SPS?

[MrPike]

Just an FYI, SPS corals are carnivores and do not eat algae.

true, but phyto feeds pods and such which in turn are eaten by sps corals. Also, phyto is really nutritious so those pods are basically gut-loaded.

[fishdoc11]

FWIW I have three very healthy growing clams(Squamosa, Deresa and Crocea) and I have never fed them. I also run a UV

From what I gather feeding phyto is like adding PO4 to your tank.

Chris

[concept3]

I used to feed phyto when my clams were under 2 inches. I stopped phyto and now all they feed on is light and whatever goes in the water column when I feed my fish.

Clams+shrimp+Garlic+mysis+krill+bloodworms all in a blender.

[easttn]

Do not feed them. The tiny environment we place them in has plenty for them to eat. Now, go clean that skimmer.

[birdman204]

Originally posted by AlgaeMan
"Poop" is that brown stuff that comes out of fish.

Someone doesn't feed cyclopeeze very much

[newmoon]

Never. Excellent growth and excellent colors.

[mortenN]

Never, only light an w/c 10% week. (kalstirrer and kalkreactor)

[Bomber]

I have my fish trained to feed them.

[SeanT]

Originally posted by MrPike
true, but phyto feeds pods and such which in turn are eaten by sps corals. Also, phyto is really nutritious so those pods are basically gut-loaded.

If you have a ton of critters you have a ton of nutrients. If you have a ton of nutrients...you have a nutrient problem.

[MrPike]

If you have a ton of critters you have a ton of nutrients. If you have a ton of nutrients...you have a nutrient problem.

If you have a ton of critters, they eat the ton of nutrients

[SeanT]

However, the phosphorous remains in the sytem.
Get the P out, no pods.
P stays in lots of pods and P is still there.
Not really that hard.

[GraviT]

I feed my SPS light, clean water and money!

[MrPike]

P stays in lots of pods and P is still there.

Your saying that since pods contain phosphate, you dont want them in your system? Seems to me thats taking a clean tank to the extreme. The pods eat the detritus, the corals eat the pods. There is probably a bit more phosphate released after this, but it can easily be skimmed out or eaten by macro algae and then harvested out..

[broe33]

i feed mine money too!

[ClamLover]

Our tanks are just too small compared to the real sea.

There are many factors that we will have real difficulty to maintain an "acceptable environmental balance" if we try to replicate in our "miniature" systems e.g. the level of food availability as found in the seas.

I don't usually feed, just keep many types and numbers of shrimps, they feed on the critters in the rocks, they breed and hopefully some of the zoos feed the acros (besides the poo and light).

Using a different model, in the past I was running a skimmerless system, with LR and LS. The system was self generating i.e. it generates food e.g. marine snow from critters in the rocks, critters also breed, corals breed etc), initially I introduced Phyto and stopped once I got the system running (sponges and critters established all over the rocks and tank). I knew there was sufficient food as I could see my Tubastrea blooming during twilight after the MH's and actinics powered off, it happens every evening, a nice event to watch for the occupants of the house, watching "Sun flowers" bloom in the evenings, an irony.

Phyto is Phosphate rich, need to balance with massive amount of water changes if you are really into Phyto dosing. Unless of course, if you don't mind the unsightly development of green hair algae etc, which again is not usually found in the seas.

Enjoy the balancing act! If that is what you are into.

[GreshamH]

I feed several million rotifers a week(daily dose of 600K+), as well as some Phyto-Feast for my clams every other day. I do it for the growth Guess it's working as I never get hair algea in my main tank, only a bit on my new acrylic frag racks (which will go away with age). Most SPS only get about 70% of their energy budget from light, which is basicly junk food. It's like an opposite Atkins diet, all carbs, no protien

[grimmjohn]

I feed mine Ca/Alk and money () : )

[Omar H]

Originally posted by 29reef
I dont feed my SPS unless you count zeovit AA ( I dont use the zeovit system but like their AA best)

OT:For all of you who feed your clams:

Why do you do it? Or do you all have a bunch of tiny farm raised clams? If your clam is over 3'' it does not need to be feed unless you are running ozone and a UV, then you would want to add it because it will not be present in the water. I have raised clams for going on 4+ years with the same 3. They straight up dont need it. and nether do the SPS as stated above by Sean.

Out of the 5 clams I've got, only one exceeds 3". that's why.

I have a bit of algae, but not so much as to be concerned.

Omar

[BrokeColoReefer]

I feed once ounce of DT's every other day with rotifers and brine in the turkey baster. I turn everything off but the powerheads in the tank. I leave it like this for a hour or so. I havent had any hair algae issues just the occasional dusting on the glass. Every thing seems happy but from the sound of this thread i may be wasting my money.

[phishlipripper]

nice trout.

I feed mine light and lots of lovin, oh yeah money too.

[bogg]

I like to get some fresh oysters, blend and serve, turn off return pump for a few hours. once in a while.