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Feeding corals

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by jstngates, Dec 23, 2012.

  1. Dec 23, 2012 #1
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Everytime I feed my corals I use a cyclop and mysis shrimp. I under feed what the directions say and the next few days my nitrates are always between 10-20. Is this normal? What do I do? Its a 90 gallon with a 30 sump.
     
  2. Dec 23, 2012 #2
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    when you feed, do you shut your pumps and skimmer off? Typically what I do is turn my return and skimmer off, then turn the return back on after a couple hours and leave the skimmer off all night. This keeps my food from being removed before the coral get a chance to eat.

    Also do you spit feed or broadcast feed? personally I have never been a fan of spot feeding as I have always felt this lends to a lot of waste although I know many swear by it.
     
  3. Dec 23, 2012 #3
    Big John

    Big John Inactive User

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    I couldn't agree with you more Mike--- just exactly how I fed---- Happy, Happy Corals!
     
  4. Dec 23, 2012 #4
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I shut stuff down for an hour. Also I used to to spot feed but I havent in months.
     
  5. Dec 25, 2012 #5
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Came home after 2 days for Christmas and I didnt have them fed in those 2 days. Nitrates doubled since last time around 60 now. Nothing dead. Whats going on again?
     
  6. Dec 25, 2012 #6
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    wait. You said you didnt feed those 2 days. How often are you feeding your coral?
     
  7. Dec 25, 2012 #7
    Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    Yah once or twice a week feeding is PLENTY. Some people don't feed their corals at all (and they swear by it). I prefer to feed, I think there are many merits and advantages to doing so. That being said....you might be overfeeding. Did you read Jasons thread about nitrates? You have been shaking the nitrate test bottles thoroughly before testing right? Many people are unaware that this is nessessary, and think they have 0 nitrates for a long time until they realize....I have tons of nitrates, and then they realize "ive been doing this test wrong." I did it wrong for a couple years myself! lol
     
  8. Dec 25, 2012 #8
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Me too Im doing it right now. I feed my fish once if not every other day. As for corals maybe once every 2 weeks lol. I just dont get it. Well I think I have way too much live rock maybe 200 plus pounds in my 90. And when I feed I think it just sits in the live rock.
     
  9. Dec 26, 2012 #9
    Tickyty

    Tickyty Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    How much rock is too much?
     
  10. Dec 26, 2012 #10
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Well my thinking about too much is there is too many dead spots on my live rock. Cant get enough flow.
     

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