Feeding after dark?

[nanoreefer22]

So I was thinking, and it seems like it would be the smartest idea to feed after the lights go out. It seems that, that's when the corals are most likely to feed since they are sending out feeder tentacles and such. I'm going to try feeding them an hour after the lights go out, rahter than during the day.

Does anyone do this? ANd does it make any sense?

 

[D1J8Z]

I offer food during the day and night but thats just me

more during the day tho bc I like to get my corals used to being fed during the day so they come out more

 

[KathyC]

Kris, I feed the bulk of my corals (that do want food) after the lights go out. But I also feed certain corals that are only out when the lights are on (like Duncans) during the day. Near as I can tell, those won't ever decide to open at night, no matter how much/what food I add.

 

[ZZROCOOL]

So I was thinking, and it seems like it would be the smartest idea to feed after the lights go out. It seems that, that's when the corals are most likely to feed since they are sending out feeder tentacles and such. I'm going to try feeding them an hour after the lights go out, rahter than during the day.

Does anyone do this? ANd does it make any sense?

I feed during the day and at night (once its just vho and then just moon lights) I also turn my skimmer off from about 8pm to 3am as well to allow the corals to feed. Skimmers remove most of the additives we put in. I feed some flake food and mysis in the morning and then coral food cyclo's and mysis starting from about 7pm till 11

 

[MikeyZO]

I feed some flake food and mysis in the morning and then coral food cyclo's and mysis starting from about 7pm till 11

You feed for 4 hours at night? What's your method?

 

[KathyC]

I also turn my skimmer off from about 8pm to 3am as well to allow the corals to feed. Skimmers remove most of the additives we put in.

Interesting thought..hmmmm..does this idea work better/best with SPS?

 

[littlebuck70]

I also feed most of my corals after the lights are out. Since i have mainly SPS and most of the polyps are out once the lights go out and figured it would be a great idea.

Since doing this it seems to be working well.

Turning off the skimmer sounds like a good idea. Wonder how much stuff the skimmers take out that the corals could feed on?

 

[rookie07]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/reefs-beginners/34826-when-do-you-add-filter-feeder-food.html

 

[cowfish]

Research I've read indicated that most SPS corals do better when being fed at night. The polyps seem to do a better job capturing food or something along those lines. Also, it's best to feed when the lights are off to allow the corals maximum use of photosynthesis during the "day."

 

[Josh]

Interesting thought..hmmmm..does this idea work better/best with SPS?

Yeah, I'm curious as well. Does anyone else turn off their skimmer at night?

 

[nanoreefer22]

Thanks guys! I'm gonna give it a try, it can't hurt to feed at night seeing as most of what's in my tank(95%) are LPS/softies .