Feeding Corals

[sillysidewinder]

So I don't really feed my corals ever, however I feed my tank missis shrimp and I figure the corals get some residual feed at the same time. Every once in a while I put a little bit of phytoplankton in the tank. What could I feed my corals? I know that there are such companies as Rod's food which have gotten quite a lot of praise. What does Phytoplankton do for the corals, and what should I be feeding in general? I don't really ever spot feed although I've been told that it will help speed up the growth, however, it is not essential by any means. Also, what is the best way to feed the corals? :iamwithst

 

[KathyC]

Easier question to answer if you tell people what types of corals you have

 

[NanoPerson67]

well im just like you.. when i feed my fish mysis i figure the corals get some =).. most corals are photsyentetic so it depends what you feed and how often and if you even have too. the corals are getting some of the mysis shrimp but it wont make much a difference. Theres additives you can add to feed your corals, and dosing calc is a good diea if you have a tank full of corals, otherwise if you have a few frags like me your fine. zoas and mushrooms and leathers really dont NEED to be feed. if you have lps you can feed, but it all depends on your tank and your corals. i am not a expert but i know simple and general things from asking on this fourm. you dont need to spot feed unless you have comething that requires spot feeding like some lps. zoas and mushrooms dont need spot feeding really and so for leathers. I believe the phytoplankton gives the corals nutrients and such but i could be wrong, i never feed phytoplankton or nothing. i just feed mysis to my fish and do weekly changes. i have a 10 gallon running sucessfully for 4 months now. The mysis should be fine

 

[SaltyFlip]

I think you've got the basic idea of what to feed your corals and like KathyC said, it would help to know what you have. As for the "how", I always find it best to turn off all pumps and use a pipette to squirt food half-inch to an inch above them.

 

[sillysidewinder]

My Corals:

Two different types of Hammer Coral
palys
zoas
mushrooms
candycane (soon to come)
small favia frags (hopefully will be trading away soon)
large 75 polyp favia frag
large leather coral

 

[SaltyFlip]

IMO
Hammer, CandyCane, Mushroom and Favia would probably love some mysis and tiny bits of raw shrimp.
Zoas and Palys (perhaps leather too) could have some cyclops or sorts.
As you said, feeding any of them isn't really necessary and if you ever do try to do it night or when the feeder tentacles are out; feed sparingly.
I had a leather and mushroom coral before that I never fed and they still propagated quite fast.

 

[Jzhou]

IMO
Hammer, CandyCane, Mushroom and Favia would probably love some mysis and tiny bits of raw shrimp.
Zoas and Palys (perhaps leather too) could have some cyclops or sorts.
As you said, feeding any of them isn't really necessary and if you ever do try to do it night or when the feeder tentacles are out; feed sparingly.
I had a leather and mushroom coral before that I never fed and they still propagated quite fast.

+1
I also mix in some rotifers and daphnia with my mysis and use a syringe and inject them directly at the coral. My dendros and duncans have developed this habit of opening their mouths once the inside of the mouth is tapped and i just inject the food right in.

I feed my coral first and the residual is what the fish gets.