If you’re wondering how to dosing coral food, there are a few things to keep in mind. Most soft corals do not require feeding. They only require a small amount of phosphate and five ppm of nitrate. LPS, or hard corals, will require a weekly feeding. Hammers, torches, and other ‘disruptive’ equipment will require additional feedings.
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Phytoplankton
The pros and cons of dosing coral food with phytoplanktonic nutrients vary greatly. Many corals benefit from phytoplankton, as they are the main food source of tiny invertebrates. But some reefers may wonder whether there is a secondary benefit, since phytoplankton is also beneficial for predatory fish and corals. The pros and cons of dosing with phytoplankton depend on the relative benefits, as well as the cost of the method.
Some corals extend their tentacles at night, and don’t feed. Others, like soft corals, close up for the night. In such cases, daytime dosing is recommended. To dosing with phytoplankton, use a turkey baster or syringe. Make sure to turn off the powerhead and skimmer so that the phytoplankton can reach the coral.
Marine Snow
While marine snow may look like an innocuous product, it actually has several benefits for reef aquariums. It can improve coral health by reducing symbiotic algae, allowing pigments to shine more intensely, reducing disease susceptibility, and increasing energy for growth. Marine Snow is a mixture of suspended organic materials, including algae, dead organisms, and coral mucus. It also contains bacteria, so it’s an excellent food source for your reef aquarium.
Marine Snow is easy to add to your reef tank, as long as you use a syringe. But because Marine Snow globs up and tries to float up, it’s difficult to SF. The directions on the bottle only tell you how much you should add to the aquarium, so spot feeding isn’t recommended. This is because Marine Snow is so viscous, it would cause your pumps to die.
Cyclop-Eeze
Phytoplankton is a food that should be fed every other day. You can use a turkey baster to target feeding with similar foods. Phytoplankton feeds feather dusters, soft corals, clams, and pods. Use a skimmer and dosing solution to avoid overfeeding your reef. Also, make sure to use a high-quality protein skimmer to reduce bio-load and reduce the risk of overfeeding.
This product contains organic meal, which is a natural element of marine life. It is especially useful for filter-feeding invertebrates, as it improves coloration and development rates. Moreover, it replicates the planktonic food web of coral reefs. For that reason, it is preferred by corals over other food products. It is easy to prepare and will not contaminate water.
Seachem’s Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton is a common food source for invertebrates and it can also be used to boost filter feeder corals, clams, and copepods. Seachem Phytoplankton is a good option for dosing coral food because it is free from any synthetic pigments or dyes. Its high concentration of carotenoids will benefit corals. You can use this product twice a week to increase coral growth and maintain coral health.
Phytoplankton is small photosynthetic organisms found in the ocean. They provide the building blocks of the coral reef food chain. Many filter-feeding invertebrates are dependent on phytoplankton for their food. Advanced aquarists dose Phytoplankton to give their invertebrates an extra boost. Phytoplankton is a natural food source for corals, plants, and fish, and it can be dosed directly or indirectly.
Seachem’s Groformula Micro Pearl
For most reefers, the main concern when feeding their corals is how to dose the correct amount of Seachem’s Groformula Micro pearl. This powdered coral food is designed to be a great supplement to other foods. It’s best to use this formula in the water column. The powdered formula provides high protein, amino acid-rich nutrition to your corals.
The liquid is formulated to stimulate coral soft tissue and polyps for maximum nutrient absorption. The supplement’s blend of amino acids, carbohydrates, and proteins is designed to promote the growth and health of corals. It also encourages natural bacteria and helps increase mucus production, which captures the food particles. For optimum benefits, dosing Seachem’s Groformula Micro Pearl coral food according to the manufacturer’s instructions is recommended.
Seachem’s Oyster Egg Feast
Oyster-Feast is a unique blend of oyster ovarian tissue and oyster eggs. This unique combination has the exact nutrients that corals crave. It is also size-appropriate for small SPS and LPS corals. The high-quality material is free of heat-treated components and stays in suspension. It is an excellent food for both corals and other invertebrates.
Oyster eggs are highly nutritious for all kinds of coral. Their high-nutrient content makes them excellent filter feeders and appetite stimulants. When used with other feeding products, this food can help boost coral growth. Oyster egg feces are naturally occurring components of corals, but are also beneficial for other types of aquarium life. This food has the highest nutritional value of any live food available and has a long shelf-life of six months.
