Feed or not to feed the Softies including Zoas

knhassan · 08/14/2019, 10:36 AM

Curious to find out if people have noticed difference when they start to feed the softies and what they fed?

Some people I came across see no value others swear by it to accelerate the growth and colors by feeding.

Please share your experience to help me decide.

Thanks,

Alex114 · 08/14/2019, 03:24 PM

I feed a green hairy mushroom and a metallic green torch some frozen mysis shrimp about twice a week. I have two mushrooms but it’s hard to consistently feed one due to location. I had bought a single mushroom and it split on its own. The one I feed is about 2-3 times the size than the other. I doubt that size difference is 100% due to feeding but it certainly helps. The torch is fairly new but it has reacted well to the feedings and looks healthy. If anything it’s fun to see the corals react to being fed

Oldreeferman · 08/15/2019, 02:30 PM

I feed everything that has large polyps or a mouth daily softy or hard coral, or every other day depending on how busy my day is.
I have noticed that my Ricordea mushroom has tripled in size from feeding, i know this because it went several months in my other all softy tank unfed & while it survived just fine it exhibited no growth, once i started feeding every other day in the DT i moved it to it started growing quickly. It has 2 mouths another reason im pushing the feedings, so im hoping it will divide on its own soon this yr.

Uncle99 · 08/16/2019, 08:42 PM

Target Feed all who display a feeding response, the rest will pick up what floats by.

I support feedings, do they need it to survive, no, but no question in my mind certainly at least faster polyp growth.

Provide different sizes of foods, phyto, zoo, reef chilli, roids, Mysis....etc...I feed once every second day and twice a week I add amino acids....

Just make sure your nutrients remain stable, or back off a bit.

boombox3 · 08/18/2019, 07:39 AM

I do not feed softies and they still thrive. I would feed zoas, lps though

08/14/2019, 10:36 AM	#1
knhassan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 21	Feed or not to feed the Softies including Zoas Curious to find out if people have noticed difference when they start to feed the softies and what they fed? Some people I came across see no value others swear by it to accelerate the growth and colors by feeding. Please share your experience to help me decide. Thanks, __________________ 65g tall, Coralife,20g Sump/Fuge,Mag 9.5,CSS 125,MJ 900/1200,35 lb LR,55lb CC. 2 False Percs,Yellow/Blue Tang,Sixline Wrasse,Diamond Goby,Yellow Clown Goby,Cleaner/Peppermint Shrimp,6+ Hermit,Snails

08/15/2019, 02:30 PM	#3
Oldreeferman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NW Indiana Valparaiso Posts: 505	I feed everything that has large polyps or a mouth daily softy or hard coral, or every other day depending on how busy my day is. I have noticed that my Ricordea mushroom has tripled in size from feeding, i know this because it went several months in my other all softy tank unfed & while it survived just fine it exhibited no growth, once i started feeding every other day in the DT i moved it to it started growing quickly. It has 2 mouths another reason im pushing the feedings, so im hoping it will divide on its own soon this yr. __________________ Montipora Digitas, Cyphastrea, Blastos, different Leptoseris, Green Stylo, GSP, gorgonions, Ricordea mushrooms, psammocoras, Birdsnest coral, Clownfish, Watchman goby, Royal gamma. Current Tank Info: Nano Reef tank

08/14/2019, 03:24 PM	#2
Alex114 Registered Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 162	I feed a green hairy mushroom and a metallic green torch some frozen mysis shrimp about twice a week. I have two mushrooms but it’s hard to consistently feed one due to location. I had bought a single mushroom and it split on its own. The one I feed is about 2-3 times the size than the other. I doubt that size difference is 100% due to feeding but it certainly helps. The torch is fairly new but it has reacted well to the feedings and looks healthy. If anything it’s fun to see the corals react to being fed

08/16/2019, 08:42 PM	#4
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Target Feed all who display a feeding response, the rest will pick up what floats by. I support feedings, do they need it to survive, no, but no question in my mind certainly at least faster polyp growth. Provide different sizes of foods, phyto, zoo, reef chilli, roids, Mysis....etc...I feed once every second day and twice a week I add amino acids.... Just make sure your nutrients remain stable, or back off a bit.

08/18/2019, 07:39 AM	#5
boombox3 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 170	I do not feed softies and they still thrive. I would feed zoas, lps though