Corals which respond well to feeding?

[hockeyhead019]

So I was just curious if anybody has done observation/studies about which corals respond best to target feeding. I know there are a couple fantastic youtube videos showing which corals respond to feeding, however I was curious if people have examined growth of the same (or similar) species under the same lighting with one being target fed and the other not.

I'm just curious if feeding my micros and duncans is only going to be satisfying because they love to eat, or if I'll see some rewards to from target feeding them?

Now granted, I know that water chemistry has a part to play in this in terms of the LPS building their skeleton. I'm not 100% they're seperable but I am curious if anybody has done research/studies on the topic.

 

[Flippers4pups]

So I was just curious if anybody has done observation/studies about which corals respond best to target feeding. I know there are a couple fantastic youtube videos showing which corals respond to feeding, however I was curious if people have examined growth of the same (or similar) species under the same lighting with one being target fed and the other not.

I'm just curious if feeding my micros and duncans is only going to be satisfying because they love to eat, or if I'll see some rewards to from target feeding them?

Now granted, I know that water chemistry has a part to play in this in terms of the LPS building their skeleton. I'm not 100% they're seperable but I am curious if anybody has done research/studies on the topic.

I don't target feed mine, but broadcast feed the tank. Let's see what others have to say.

 

[JoshH]

No studies here but I target feed my acans, blastos and Duncan's. First time I've cared for corals, they all seem to like it and are growing well. I'll have to stop feeding one of them and see what happens. I'm also curious/worried I over feed them, I get the feeling my blastos would eat endlessly if I let them

 

[ca1ore]

I feed my fish .... and they seem generally better for it! Fish then 'feed' everything else. I actually don't want my corals to grow faster.

 

[saltyhog]

My duncans have a more vigorous feeding response than my RFA's! I fed the ones in my nano and didnt feed the ones in my big tank. The ones in the nano grew much faster. Of course two different systems but it was a noticeable difference.

 

[JoshH]

My duncans have a more vigorous feeding response than my RFA's! I fed the ones in my nano and didnt feed the ones in my big tank. The ones in the nano grew much faster. Of course two different systems but it was a noticeable difference.

How often did you feed? And I agree Duncan's definitely have a vigorous feeding response my blastos aren't far behind though.

 

[saltyhog]

How often did you feed? And I agree Duncan's definitely have a vigorous feeding response my blastos aren't far behind though.

I feed them every day. When the barnacle blennies have had enough I feed the rest to the duncan colony.

 

[hockeyhead019]

I feed my fish .... and they seem generally better for it! Fish then 'feed' everything else. I actually don't want my corals to grow faster.

Any reason you don't want them to grow quicker? Just upkeep/fragging work?

My duncans have a more vigorous feeding response than my RFA's! I fed the ones in my nano and didnt feed the ones in my big tank. The ones in the nano grew much faster. Of course two different systems but it was a noticeable difference.

Any major differences between the two tanks? Maintenance schedule, lighting etc?

 

[ca1ore]

Any reason you don't want them to grow quicker? Just upkeep/fragging work?

I just dislike that overgrown, 'thicket' appearance. Fragging on a large tank can be arduous as well. My big green slimmer colony, for example, probably grows 3/4' per month - I don't need it to grow faster.

 

[hockeyhead019]

I just dislike that overgrown, 'thicket' appearance. Fragging on a large tank can be arduous as well. My big green slimmer colony, for example, probably grows 3/4' per month - I don't need it to grow faster.

Makes sense that fragging would be more difficult. I have a smaller tank so it wasn't a concern of mine. I think the original question could also be interesting from a person who owns/uses a frag tank to propagate some coral for trade or sale.

 

[ca1ore]

I think the original question could also be interesting from a person who owns/uses a frag tank to propagate some coral for trade or sale.

Yes, of course. If the goal is to grow and sell (which I do not do), then more growth is more better!

 

[saltyhog]

I just dislike that overgrown, 'thicket' appearance. Fragging on a large tank can be arduous as well. My big green slimmer colony, for example, probably grows 3/4' per month - I don't need it to grow faster.

I know what you mean on the slimer. Beautiful coral, tough as nails and grows like a weed. I think it should be everyone's first SPS coral....just put it some where accessible to fragging. Everyone in my reef club has a frag of mine. LOL

 

[saltyhog]

Any major differences between the two tanks? Maintenance schedule, lighting etc?

Same maintenance schedule as far as water changes. Larger tank is 72x24x21 and lit by 3 Hydra52, nano is a 10 gallon IM Fusion lit by an AI Prime. Lighting schedules are very similar.