Feeding Question

[JiminyCat]

Hi, I'm new to R2R; I'm not at my tank so cannot provide pics, but here is a brief description:

I have a 30G reef which is toward the end of it's cycle (NO3 @ 30 and dropping daily due to b/g algae growth... diatoms on the decline). I have a small cleanup crew comprising 10 turbo snails, two nassarius snails, one emerald crab, < 2 electric blue hermit crabs & 2 scarlet hermit crabs... two hermit crabs seem to have died after two days as they have not moved in 24 hours. Protein skimmer running, Tetra Whisper EX prower filter with a small bag of bio-pellet media, 1 powerhead directed accross length of tank and front of live rock (fairly strongly). I added one Royal Gramma on Monday 5/27/13.

Question- I've been feeding the Royal Gramma about six to ten grains of pellet food twice a day. It is feeding, but I'm not sure how many grains blow and fall to the bottom or into the rocks. So how do I know if I'm over feeding?

b/g algae is growing on the glass almost as quickly as I can squeegee it off, so naturally I'm concerned about nutireint overload.

 

[glb]

I'd feed it less pellets per day. I think it will affect your bioload. It's always better to underfeed than over feed.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[jesterisdead]

Observe your food and see how much it is eating versus how much is sinking. If you have dead cleaners be sure to get them out of the tank. Dont want to feed your cleaners as their job is to keep the tank clean for now. After your tank establishes you can then be sure your cleaners are eating as well. Keep cleaning the class with a simple magnetic glass cleaner and be sure you have a good circulation and flow going. Also if your using a filter you will need to clean it more than usual as your cleaning. Also be sure you siphon some on the sand to prevent to much build up. Getting a good water flow is another way to keep things from sticking to your glass. When did you/how often are you doing water changes?

 

[mike007]

Only feed him once a day and i would say only enough that can be consumed it 1-2 minutes. Feed slowly so no food ever hits the bottom.

 

[JiminyCat]

Thank you glb. Jester... have have done no water changes yet... I'm in my third week. Exception: I changed ~ two gallons back when I added the Royal Gramma after the acclimation drip. Mike: That's the tough part... the grains are rather quickly whisped away in various directions by the current, so it's difficult to see where they go. Out of the six to ten I put in, I see the Royal Gramma grab maybe two of the grains that blow toward it's territory.

If I put in less, how will I know if the Royal Gramma even sees them? If it doesn't, how can I guarantee it will locate them amongst the rocks & crevices?

 

[glb]

You could always turn off the powerhead for a few minutes while it eats.


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.

 

[JiminyCat]

:smile: good idea glb!

 

[glb]

You learn from making mistakes. Half of their food was getting swept into the filter before they could eat it!


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12g Nanoreef. Zooanthids, Ricordia, Star Polyps and two clownfish. CF Lighting, 75% actinic blue, 25% 10,000k white.