nutrition for corals

[jacksonpt]

I know that most corals are primarily, if not entirely photosynthetic. But I'm wondering how important it is to provide additional nutrition for those corals that also filter feed. I've got a 12g tank with the following corals:
- mushrooms (red, watermelon, and hairy)
- ricordia
- blastos
- zoos
- leather
- gsp
- frogspawn
- xenia
- toadstool
- candycane
- capnella/kenya tree
- orange monti cap
- green monti
- 2 types of acros (millipora and digitata)
So, that first group I'm pretty sure are primarily if not entirely photosynthetic. The second group I think is mix, the last group I'm not sure about (still learning my SPSs). If I'm wrong on any of this, please let me know.
So, my question is how important is it to dose for filter feeders? I do a 3g water change every 10 days or so, everything seems to be doing well, but there isn't the growth I was expecting. If it's advisable to dose, what do you recommend? I was at the LFS the other day and saw DTs (whcih I know is popular), and several offerings from Kent.
TIA.

 

[reefkprz]

there are no entirely phtosynthetic corals that I know of, the closest would probably be xenia, all corals eat or absorb nutrients.

 

[jacksonpt]

Originally Posted by reefkprZ
there are no entirely phtosynthetic corals that I know of, the closest would probably be xenia, all corals eat or absorb nutrients.
Really? I thought most were primarily photosynthetic. Good to know. So, so different corals absorb different nutrients? I'm not talking about spot feeding, I'm really only focusing on the filter feeders at this point.

 

[albfishin']

I add DT's once a week and all my coral are doing great. I also spot feed my zoo's mysis and other assorted goodies. From what I understand, you should feed them, even the one's you think are photosynthetic.
You also may need to check calc. levels and supplement as needed for your hard's. Good luck, hope this helps. :happyfish

 

[yosemite sam]

This is a really broad topic, and there's lots to say. Photosynthetic corals do get a lot of their food supply through photosynthesis, but they do require other 'feedings'. Most, if not all, eat bacteria for starters, then it varies from species to species. Some don't require other food, and get all their nutients through photosynthesis and amino acid absortion directly from the water column.
One thing I was surprised to learn recently is that corals can't produce some of the most important amino acids they need, such as aspartic acid. Its found in large quantities in coral flesh, but they get it all from bacteria or other food sources.

 

[reefkprz]

well here is some info on the diets of the corals you have listed
all the corals listed absorb at least calcium if not several other elements as well.
-mushrooms- you can spot feed some meaty foods
- ricordia- same as mushrooms
- blastos- spot feed zooplankton
- zoos- can be fed several meaty food types
- leathers-(I could be wrong on this) plankton, bacteria
- gsp- (not sure) plankton and bacteria
- frogspawn- plankton, meaty foods
- xenia-photosynthesis-absorption
- toadstool-same as leathers
- candycane-meaty foods
- capnella/kenya tree-bacteria (not sure about plankton)
- orange monti cap-oyster eggs,
- green monti-oyster eggs
- 2 types of acros (millipora and digitata)oyster eggs
Note: this is not nearly a complete or total list of what these corals injest, and a couple I'm not 100% about, but its a start, maybe get you headed in the right direction. all benifit from good calcium levels and proper amounts of trace elements, wich can be maintained with consistent water changes with a good salt mix. some actually consume minute amounts of nitrate, (suprising eh.)
I hope this helps you out. I dont have time to research them all right now, or I would, the info above is just what I pulled from memory so definatly double check all of it before you take it as gospel.

 

[jacksonpt]

wow, that's some great info... waaaay more than I was expecting to get - thanks.
I've tried spot feeding my zoos mysis, but they've never showed any interest. I'll try some brine in the next couple of days. I'll also pickup some sort of plankton additive, as that seems to be all but a staple for corals.
One final question... what exactly do you mean by "bacteria"?
Thanks again for all the info.

 

[reefkprz]

some corals eat free floating bacteria out of the water so do sponges.
in my quest to provide you with soem nutrtition information I forgot to add a side note, feeding plankto is good when you have a lot of corals for a couple reasons lots of the corals will eat some of the plankton and with the steady feeding of plankton your population of rotifers that consume plankton will increase, a wide variety of corals consume rotifers.