Coral Care and Feeding -Live Reef Chat Sunday 11/22- 9-11p EST

[jimsflies]

This thread will be opened for our Live Topic Reef Chat at 9 pm EST.

To best use this forum technology, set your user options to allow you to view the maximum posts per page (40). Occasionally, you may still need to refresh your page view to catch up in the conversation. Live Topic Reef Chat will automatically update the thread as if it were a live chat as people reply to the topic.

This weeks topic is "Coral Care and Feeding". Bring your questions and we can discuss our experiences to figure out what works and what doesn't.

[jimsflies]

Thread is open and ready. I might be a couple minutes late getting back here, so start without me and I'll be back soon.

[MizTanks]

Newb here, ya'll ready? Do I need to feed my zoa's en palys?

[whitetiger61]

zoa's no palys yes

[jimsflies]

Hi Jamie...good question. In my experience, no. Rarely do any of mine have a feeding reaction when food is added to the system.

[whitetiger61]

Jamie you can post quicker if you use quik reply

[whitetiger61]

i mix 1 part formula 1 and 2 parts formula 2 pellets to my palys..formula 2 has more veggies in it

[jimsflies]

You want to use the quick reply with the live topic chat. The posts will stream as we go. Once in a while you may need to manually refresh. This also seems to work better if you set your user options to display more posts per page.

[jimsflies]

Do you notice them taking the food? Other than the green weedy ones I have, I never notice them actually grabing anything.

[MizTanks]

My palys are pigs~add a little brine shrimp and they go nuts

[whitetiger61]

my zoas show no response to food.my palys will take the food and close up then they open back up except my blue one and we all know the problems im having with them

[jimsflies]

Do you get improved growth that you can tell?

[whitetiger61]

they seem to like the veggie formula but feed the regualr also hince the mixture

[MizTanks]

with my green implosions I do~those guys grow/walk like crazy!

[whitetiger61]

my greens have 3 new polyps in 2 weeks

[MizTanks]

They're like little Venus fly traps!

[whitetiger61]

waiting for my blues to open up to feed them..they were feed the same formula i feed here

[Rabidgoose]

That is why I stopped feeding as much, I see little difference in growth with added feeding other than my non-photo coral I do spot feed

[whitetiger61]

i think thats why im getting the growth im gtting out of my purple deaths

[MizTanks]

I thought gimplosions were palys?

[jimsflies]

I haven't actually fed my tank in over 3 months....even the dendros. I cut back in hopes of slowing the bryopsis. It didn't work...but that's another story.

[jimsflies]

Yes, your implosions are palys. Those grow like a weed for me. So much so, I actually have to yank them by hand (eg. weed them) to keep them from taking over my tank.

[Rabidgoose]

Jim....have the dendros showed any ill effects?

[whitetiger61]

i take a long clear tube long enough to get to the furthest paly and crimp one end..i stick the crimped end over the colony and drop the pellets into each individual polyp

[jimsflies]

No, they are still doing their thing. I noticed a new sprout the other day.

I still give the fish pellets twice a day or so. I suspect they catch a pellet once in a while or some fish poo.

[Rabidgoose]

Wow Rick, I applaud your dedication

[jojo22]

Jumping in late BUT

Jamie, avoid brine shrimp, they are the nutritional equivalent of you eating cardboard, it will fill you up but do nothing for your body.

[jimsflies]

Wow...we need to get our rare palys to Rick so he can hand feed them

[whitetiger61]

its fun to watch them eat

[MizTanks]

It's the only thing my Pj Cardinal will eat! Whatever she don't the palys do but I turn off the flow so I can more or less spot feed.

[jimsflies]

Rick you need to get some dendros...they eat like crazy! Very fun to feed.

[whitetiger61]

Jamie try formula 2 pellets

[jojo22]

I would still withhold, most fish like PJ's will eat something else.

My 2 year old would eat potato chips all day, but if I don't give them to him he eats dinner, same idea

[whitetiger61]

Jim i have 3 heads of it but they arent doing so good

[jimsflies]

Yeah, I agree it will get hungry and eat anything.

[MizTanks]

And where can I get those? Not here that's for sure. She wont starve?

[whitetiger61]

i get mine at Prueses Pets

[jimsflies]

Mysis is a better bet for fish nutrition. I bet you could go a week or more and not feed and it would be okay in a reef tank.

[jojo22]

I also have found that my z's and p's would go nuts when I added reef roids, don't know if they are still available but I LOVED them

No if she holds out for a full week I would give one meal and resume withholding

[jimsflies]

Yeah, they still sell reef roids. You can also use golden pearls, and coral frenzy. All very similar. But I never noticed much response with my z&ps.

[MizTanks]

I have to say for a newb I've been very blessed with my zoa's and palys. I also have a Kenya Tree that's doing wonderful and just got my first piece of Xmas Tree Favia. Any info on the Favia would be greatly welcomed

[jojo22]

What do you guys feed your brains, my open brain use to eat whole krill, 2-3 at a time

[jimsflies]

I should mention that our reef club, Midmichigan marine club make a reef stew that has all this stuff in it. It is a one stop shop for feeding your tank. We will be making our annual batch in January that we sell at the big swap (1/31/10).

[jojo22]

Yeah, how about a recipe for those of us unable to go, this is a national board now, not some MR crap

[whitetiger61]

Jamie
my favia eats cyclopsezze

[Rabidgoose]

I feed a home brew as well and also add cyclopeeze and mysis

[MizTanks]

Ok, now I'm dependent on you guys to hook me up with all this wonderful food for my tank~I'm living U.P. in no mans land (although the most beautiful no mans land) and I cant get chit!!!

[jojo22]

Has anyone else here used the Reef Roids??

[jimsflies]

Joe- I can try to put a list of ingredients. Its like a trash can party at a college party...everyone shows up with something to add and we blend it all up. It has squid, fresh fish, shrimp, scallops, etc.

I'm sure we can find a way to mail some if someone wants to try it bad enough.

[whitetiger61]

i would like to thank everyone who helped me with my paly problem today..i think i got it figured out

[jimsflies]

Has anyone else here used the Reef Roids??

I have used them...I've had then too...no fun at all.:full_of_crap:

[jojo22]

Jim, I don't understand

[jojo22]

Did you eat the reef roids, or did they harm your tank?

[jimsflies]

JK...they are fine. I didn't notice a lot of difference when I used them though.

[jimsflies]

I think I still have half a container here somewhere...I usually take some and through it in the club's reef stew.

[Sir Patrick]

The cycopeze will not only feed the favia, but 90% sure the PJ will go nuts for it also

[MizTanks]

Cycopeze? Where can I get that?

[jojo22]

I noticed better polyp extension on my brains, and my zoa's. I have also heard that they kick butt gor gorgonia (sp, I've been out of the hobby for almost 3 years, my spelling of corals leaves a little to be desired)

[whitetiger61]

it should..my clowns love it

[jojo22]

LFS or Dr. F&S

[jimsflies]

Yes, cyclopeze will pretty much feed everything. Your LFS should have that...it's a common frozen food.

Another food to try is rotifeast. By Reef Nutrition. This is refrigerated not frozen.

[MizTanks]

Tell ya what~you guys hook me up with what I need~put it all in a box and ship it to me~

[jojo22]

That takes out half the fun of researching what works best for your tank, or at least it would for me

[jimsflies]

I can definitely do that Jamie. I live right down the road from Crazy Ricks and they stock it all.

[thefishgirl]

Hi all.. just getting here. :)

[jojo22]

5 lashes to becky for tardyness

[jimsflies]

Hi Becky!

Joe- You have to keep in mind, Jamie doesn't have too many options and would spend a ton just in shipping to gather everything we are talking about.

[whitetiger61]

cant ship cyclopezze..its frozen

[Sir Patrick]

If the cycopeze I have wasnt frozen variety, I would send it.

[jimsflies]

Yeah, we could send frozen. If Jamie wants to make it happen, I will help her out.

[thefishgirl]

a lil dry ice... fine for shipping. :)

[jojo22]

Ship in winter with a cold pack OR buy the dry type.

[Sir Patrick]

There is a freeze dried form though, although I dont have it...

[thefishgirl]

A little dry ice would work

[jojo22]

Why not get little baggies and make a sample pack for her and she can see what she likes best?

Kinda like a reefy drug deal

[MizTanks]

I've got 100.00 to spend that's it!!!

[whitetiger61]

Hi Becky thanks for your help today

[thefishgirl]

Sure.. hope it was help anywho. :)

[jimsflies]

Frozen is easier to do this time of year anyway.

[MizTanks]

Are we looking at more then 100.00?

[jimsflies]

Save up for a couple more weeks...$100 doesn't go as far as you think when buying premium reef food.

[jojo22]

For a purchase of all items, I would say yes.

If it where me, I would look up all of these foods, see which ones really spark your interest and buy as much as you can for $100

[jimsflies]

Foster and Smith might also be a good option. They normally have very cheap shipping.

[MizTanks]

I dont need much! I got a little tank with 3 fishes.

[jojo22]

I would look into smallest sizes possible. And as much variety as possible since what works in one tank may not be best in another

[thefishgirl]

I was thinking that myself Miz... $100 would keep you in food for 6 months. :)

[whitetiger61]

with the food i mix up i cant make one mix and last for 6 months

[jojo22]

Okay, chat keeps shutting down on me, telling me there are server errors

[jimsflies]

I would recommend trying some of the Reef Nutrition line esp. Arctic Pods and Rotifeast, Most small bottles of food are going to run ~$15. Then a block of frozen cyclopeeze and PM Mysis shrimp. Those should get you by for awhile.

[jimsflies]

not getting a server error here. Post your error message or pm it to me.

Occasionally, you do have to refresh the page.

[jimsflies]

not getting a server error here. Post your error message or pm it to me.

Occasionally, you do have to refresh the page.

[jojo22]

In a tank her size I would go FD on the cyclopssease as the juice used to freeze and bind it together could cause water issues, it is usually high in nitrite/trate

[jojo22]

Jim will do if it happens again

[MizTanks]

I'll check with the LFS first before I put anyone out

[jimsflies]

I think occasionally, especially with the time of evening being on a shared server, we tax the server's abilities.

[whitetiger61]

i just got a server error too

[jimsflies]

Just hit refesh and you should be good to go.

[jojo22]

Plus the FD is in a smaller container, a block would go bad before she could use it

[jimsflies]

Becky what are you feeding your corals?

[Rabidgoose]

Miz....save your money and come down to the swap in Jan. and you can pick up everything you need

[jimsflies]

Agreed, Chuck.

Granted Joe we are national now....but everyone should come to this swap. :)

[thefishgirl]

I feed a mix... I do some cyclopeeze (frozen), mysis, coral frenzy, zooplankton. I mix it all up together, and spot feed most of my corals about an hour after the lights go off. For the sun corals - mainly spot feed mysis, but make sure they get some mix in their pot as well to swirl around.

[MizTanks]

My son Jack is coming home on the 22nd of Dec~I wont be going anywhere's for a long time!! He can't go out of doors.

[Sir Patrick]

+1 to freeze dried vs frozen cycopeze.

[jimsflies]

Why do you like it better, Chris?

[jojo22]

I have always liked it, easier to work with, less mess, easier to clean up and measure.

[Rabidgoose]

I prefer frozen, easier to sink and get in the water column and my fish like it better

[jimsflies]

I've got to duck out for a few minutes...great topic, keep up the good info!

[jojo22]

But if you put the FD in a little dixie cup of tank water, it does the same without the binder water from the frozen getting in your tank

[thefishgirl]

So, one thing I haven't seen is my chalices eating. Has anyone else seen this?

[whitetiger61]

i have used coral frenzy..my corls didnt like it as much

[Sir Patrick]

same as jojo said- along with no freezer burn

[jojo22]

No I haven't seen your chalices eat, but would love to, in my tank of course.

[jojo22]

+1 to no freezer burn!!

[thefishgirl]

I use it as a mix... seems like some of my stuff likes it... but it's hard to tell what they really like. They are grabby little buggers!

[whitetiger61]

might try the FD version im due for some new ..im about out

[Sir Patrick]

Curious about the chalice feeding also- I have never seen it

[thefishgirl]

JOJO! Too funny!

[Rabidgoose]

I buy the good stuff(red aluminum foil)=no freezer burn

[jojo22]

Give it a shot, if memory serves me (and it may not) the FD is cheaper, and if shipping there is no frozen shipment charge from F&S

[thefishgirl]

so supposedly, 1 hr after lights out.. go feed your chalices... I try that all the time, but I never see them eat. But they are growing, so I know they are eating.

[jojo22]

they just don't like you Becky!!

Are you putting a red lense on your flashlight

[Rabidgoose]

I've never seen mine eat either but have seen pictures of it. Mine eat fish poo and light I guess

[thefishgirl]

I don't use a flashlight.. Just ambient lighting. But honestly.. they LOVE me. I would say my watermelon chalice has put on a good 1/8 inch growth since I fragged it a month ago...

[whitetiger61]

have to work tomorrow..great topic..i will check the rest out when i get home..have a great night everyone

[jojo22]

I love having a 2 year old, he enjoys being daddys little soda fetcher, be a shame when that ends

Becky, try a red flashlight, you'll be able to see better

[thefishgirl]

Normally, I'd be feeding right now. LOL
Gnite Tig!

[Rabidgoose]

l8r.......

[jojo22]

C YA L8TR!!

[MizTanks]

Nite Tiger!!!

[jojo22]

SO who here is feeding "tough" corals like sea pens and gorgonia

[Sir Patrick]

Nite whitetiger

[thefishgirl]

Not I JoJo.. although I don't know what a "sea pen" is. :)

[MizTanks]

Not me! Never even heard of em~lol

[jojo22]

I had a friend on RC that had a sea pen, supposedly very rare and hard to keep alive, but he was a marine bio major, so he was doing pretty good.

[Rabidgoose]

I have gorgonia but it is photo+ so know real problem

[jojo22]

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-701&va=sea+pen+coral&sz=all

See the Sea pen

[Sir Patrick]

Feeding/keeping non photosynthetic corals has come a long way this year

[jojo22]

I would not know, stepped out of the hobby for three years. But I have noticed some great strides

[Sir Patrick]

we have a member on the boards, stunnreefer, who is doing very well with the new info

[jojo22]

What new info

[Sir Patrick]

Mostly pro biotics and feeding tecniques

Not too sure on the specifics, never realy checked too deeply on the topic

[jojo22]

Is anyone still here??

[MizTanks]

I am but have nothing to add to the topic at hand~learning

[thefishgirl]

I"m here :)

[jojo22]

Yeah, not sure where I stand on pro biotics, part of me just feels like something is wrong with it, even though I can't point to it.

[jojo22]

SOOOO....Jamie ask more questions, you seem to incite good conversation this evening.

[thefishgirl]

Honestly, I know nothing about probiotics.

[MizTanks]

Aside from moving them around the entire tank, how does one tell the best placement for your corals?

[thefishgirl]

Kinda gotta go with the tried and true rule... unless they look prettier somewhere else. *teehee* :tongue_out:

[jojo22]

Well what i do is read info on them, like at F&S and other sale sites, put all the info together and make an educated guess as to where they will be happy, if I fail it's time to move them around the tank. Many times with zoas and such one part of a colony will look happier, so you know where to start guessing for the move.

[MizTanks]

How long can corals live on frag pluggs? Tried and True rule? I see a lot of tanks with massess of corals living along side of each other~I'm so concerned about giving everyone room!

[MizTanks]

Will one zoa stop growing if there's another zoa in it's path?

[thefishgirl]

Tried & true rule -- I meant for that particular coral.

I've not seen zoas stop for each other. I have lots of mixed rocks.

[MizTanks]

Is it wrong to cull a coloney to keep them from spreading too much?

[Sir Patrick]

zoas will grow over each other at times

All the tanks you see filled out, unless they are carfully groomed, do have ongoing battles for space, just cant see them in the pictures

[Rabidgoose]

I try to buy/trade from other hobbiests and ask them about placement in there tank. I then start everything in low light to reduce stress from the move. Every week or so I will move them into a little more light with an end location in mind. Usually with 3-4 moves I have them where I want them or at least know what they like to get the best color and growth.

[MizTanks]

But usually when I buy it's from a seller who has a frag tank. Those are not the normal conditions are they?

[Sir Patrick]

Nothing wrong with culling/trimming colonies, thats how alot of people get there frags

[Rabidgoose]

And the cheap zoas will always overcrowd the expensive zoas...lol

[thefishgirl]

A frag tank still has "normal conditions". You'll notice that some frags are higher placement than others, maybe placed in different flow or have a powerhead pointing at them.

[MizTanks]

What zoa's are cheap? You mean some zoa's are considered weeds?

[jojo22]

Culling is fine, what would be wrong with it??

[jojo22]

yes ugly brown zoas are dirt cheap, and for a reason, they grow like weeds and look like crap.

[thefishgirl]

ZOMG Rabid..soo true!!! LOL

I need to trim back a bunch of palys that are mixed in with some nice zoas. Do not even know how to start that.

[MizTanks]

I feel bad if one floats away~I gotta save it some how.

But under those lights that I see no zoa looks brown. Until I get it under my lights and them bam!

[thefishgirl]

I guess I'll start with gloves, goggles and a razor blade. LOL Although normally, I'm not wearing gloves....even when handling zoas. *gasp*

[MizTanks]

Dont laugh you all but when I'm handling my zoa's I actually shake out of fear of hurting them.

[Rabidgoose]

Yeah tfg ask Jim about reaching in the tank with cuts on your hand. Maybe he will post some pics...

[jojo22]

Jamie, a Zoa will KILL you before you hurt it, they produce one of the most toxic poisons known to man

It even killed a dog a few years back after drinking water from a water change, VERY DANGEROUS!!!

[thefishgirl]

Miz.. you'd be shaking out of what the zoas can do to you.

Rabid... Like I would ever reach into my tank with cuts. LOL Well.. except for today, I mean. :(

Bottomline, there are a lot of nasties in your tank. I'm putting reef gloves on my christmas list.

[jojo22]

On another note, NEVER pet a lion fish, I learned that the hard way...LOL

[thefishgirl]

Or a long spined urchin. Kinda like petting a P.O.'d porcupine.

[Sir Patrick]

Dont be afraid of hurting your zoas miz, they can take some punishment and keep on going.

I have crushed polyps while fragging, and had them come back

[jojo22]

I want a blue ring but after petting the lion fish the wife has said NO, in no uncertain terms, excluding divorce.

[MizTanks]

I gotta bristle worm in my tank and it's says they're bad for Favia~how do I get it out~the worm that it.

[Sir Patrick]

+1 to dangers of palytoxin- it can kill

[thefishgirl]

Good article in general about zoas...

Near the bottom is the part about palytoxins:
http://www.reefs.org/library/aquarium_net/0198/0198_1.html

[Sir Patrick]

The toxin is most prominant on true palythoa. Most infections from your basic "zoa/palys" is becterial from the bacterials abondant on said polyps. Still dangerous, but usually not lethal

[jojo22]

jamie, if you have one you have hundreds, some pic them out, or some fish eat them. I like them in my CUC so I leave them, not as bad as most say they are.

Just don't pet it, they hurt

[MizTanks]

I don't mind the worm at all~just don't want it to bother my new Favia~it's doing good so far~see it feeding under the atenic and moons

[jojo22]

The toxin is most prominant on true palythoa. Most infections from your basic "zoa/palys" is becterial from the bacterials abondant on said polyps. Still dangerous, but usually not lethal


Yes but a popped polyp can kill, no two ways about it

[MizTanks]

Can the skin absorb the toxin?

[Sir Patrick]

Not sure about skin absorbtion- I hope it cant....

[MizTanks]

Me too! lol~naw I'd be a gonner by now~guess things are slowing down~I've run out of questions I guess~food topic was good though~I've learned a lot about frozen versus dried

[thefishgirl]

I thought it could be absorbed through the skin, but more easily through the eye, nasal, or mouth membranes. I've actually seen them squirt.. so seriously.. do not lean over them without googles.. or with your mouth open when you start poking around on them.

[jojo22]

+1 to the "squirt" post

[thefishgirl]

I think I blushed as I typed that. LOL

[MizTanks]

I wear glasses so I'm covered there~as for keeping my mouth closed~that's a hole nother story! LMBO!!!

[jojo22]

I think I blushed as I typed that. LOL

So my post tied in nicely!!!

[thefishgirl]

Who REALLY believes that I blushed? :)

[jojo22]

Yeah, I bet you blushed like a trucker would.

[MizTanks]

I guess this topic is over~back to my algae issues~thanks everyone for the awesome info~it's been very informative~ya'll have a good night.

[thefishgirl]

I'm off to bed myself. Fun and entertaining! :)
Gnite all.

[jojo22]

Night everyone, I got some money to loose in the gameroom!!

[Sir Patrick]

Nite everyone!