spot feeding corals??

[moonie]

I'm new and I thought that most corals just live off the light. That's why we buy MH lighting. Now I put DT"s in my tank 3 days a week and that's about it maybe a brine shrimp floating around that my fish missed. But now I hear that they should be spot fed? I have a bunch of zoos, pallys and couple of frogspawn and a elegance. Now I'm getting scared that I have to feed each head. Is this true or will the light and DT's keep everybody happy and growing. Please advice and Thanks

 

[t316]

How often are you feeding the fish? What are you feeding?

 

[zoie2]

It depends on the corals you have. Some corals BENIFIT from spot feedings, but don't need them, (mushrooms, polyps, zooos, etc.) But some corals NEED spot feeding ( sun coral, every head/ mouth whatever HAS to be fed 2-3 times a week or it will die.)
I it sounds like the corals you have will be fine with out spot feeding, but they would benifit from it.
I spot feed most of my corals.

 

[ci11337]

dont bother feeding softies but most LPS grow better with meaty food ever once in a while

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by ci11337
dont bother feeding softies but most LPS grow better with meaty food ever once in a while
Sorry I disagree with this statment...
General advice given for all soft coral species...
quoted by Bob Fenner.
Though various authors have stated that the various soft coral groups can "get by" with chemical supplement feedings and "correct" lighting (though many are non-photosynthetic). Be aware that all species investigated are known planktivores, some consuming more zoo- others more phyto-plankton in the wild. All soft corals should therefore be periodically offered such small foodstuffs.
Whether you culture a mix or buy it bottled, tubed, frozen or dried, directing ground up nutritious matter onto the tentacular surfaces when opened, with your particulate filtration temporarily suspended (leaving the complementary recirculation-only pump(s) running) ensures growth and health. A few times per week to daily regimens are practical per species, sizes and system.
There are others but to be more specific here is another about Zoanthids specifically.
Even the "green" zoanthids with internal algae helping them make their food require supplemental feeding. Most successful reefers feed their zoanthids every day or two with either a mash of small zooplankters blown over the animals with a turkey baster or some solid, meaty foodstuff placed on the polyps. It’s best to subdue circulation at this time; done practically with a timer.

 

[petjunkie]

The elegance will probably take meaty foods like mysis or chopped silversides once or twice a week but elegance are pretty difficult to keep so you may want to read up on that. It depends on the coral what they eat and how much light they need so reseach the corals before you get them, several corals commonly sold are next to impossible to keep or require frequent feeding. Phyto isn't necessary for any of your corals really.

 

[moonie]

thanks for all the advice the salesmen at the the LFS says don't worry they take care of themselves just like in the ocean but I knew I get the correct info here. Thanks again

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by moonie
thanks for all the advice the salesmen at the the LFS says don't worry they take care of themselves just like in the ocean but I knew I get the correct info here. Thanks again
The problem is you are not simulating the actual ocean in your tank. So while your LFS is correct, (partially) they are also incorrect. The amount of food offered to corals in the ocean is far more than we can offer them in our tanks. The ocean has a constant and never ending supply of all types of micro organisms, and plankton to offer a variety of coral species. We cannot even begin IMO to compare to that in our tanks. So spot feeding on a schedule is recomended.