Dumb question about spot feeding

[ShariC]

So, I just don't understand how to spot feed. I understand using a turkey baster or similar to blow the food over the coral but when people say they feed a certain coral something like 1 mysis shrimp or a piece of prawn or something like that, I don't get how. Anything I put in the water just floats away. LOL. Sorry, if I'm missing something totally obvious.

 

[Angel_Anthias lover]

Do you switch off the flow?

 

[Hemmdog]

So, I just don't understand how to spot feed. I understand using a turkey baster or similar to blow the food over the coral but when people say they feed a certain coral something like 1 mysis shrimp or a piece of prawn or something like that, I don't get how. Anything I put in the water just floats away. LOL. Sorry, if I'm missing something totally obvious.

To spot feed mysis you can turn your flow off and suck up tank water mixed with mysis in a turkey baster. Or, you can use tongs like I do occasionally and tediously feed each individual polyp a piece of mysis when it has feeder tentacles out. The tentacles are sticky and the mysis will stick to it. Then strap in for a wild observation of your coral devouring some shrimp!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

AND, no dumb questions. Every question is valid and a chance to learn. Except what color is the sun.

Depending on tank size you may want to get a tool called Julian’s thing. (Hate saying that). It’s a long syringe attached to a hose. Same concept at turkey baster but hands stay dry

 

[Hemmdog]

AND, no dumb questions. Every question is valid and a chance to learn. Except what color is the sun.

Depending on tank size you may want to get a tool called Julian’s thing. (Hate saying that). It’s a long syringe attached to a hose. Same concept at turkey baster but hands stay dry

It does have a bad name lol. I haven’t got one simply because the name creeps me out lol.

 

[lapin]

So, I just don't understand how to spot feed. I understand using a turkey baster or similar to blow the food over the coral but when people say they feed a certain coral something like 1 mysis shrimp or a piece of prawn or something like that, I don't get how. Anything I put in the water just floats away. LOL. Sorry, if I'm missing something totally obvious.

Some corals need meaty foods some dont. What coral are you trying to feed?

 

[Peace River]

So, I just don't understand how to spot feed. I understand using a turkey baster or similar to blow the food over the coral but when people say they feed a certain coral something like 1 mysis shrimp or a piece of prawn or something like that, I don't get how. Anything I put in the water just floats away. LOL. Sorry, if I'm missing something totally obvious.

Another option to Julian's Thing is a Coral Feeder from BRS. In a pinch I have even used a PVC pipe for target feeding. ;Shamefullyembarrased

 

[lapin]

If I have a coral that needs to be surrounded so food does not float away or so fish do not eat the food before the coral, I found one of the tools above with a large baby nipple attached works well. They make pretty large ones.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

It does have a bad name lol. I haven’t got one simply because the name creeps me out lol.

Another option to Julian's Thing is a Coral Feeder from BRS. In a pinch I have even used a PVC pipe for target feeding. ;Shamefullyembarrased

Such a better name:)

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

It does have a bad name lol. I haven’t got one simply because the name creeps me out lol.

Julian's very well endowed.

 

[Peace River]

Here is an R2R thread describing a DIY coral feeder that is yet another option.

 

[Peace River]

[...]Depending on tank size you may want to get a tool called Julian’s thing. (Hate saying that). It’s a long syringe attached to a hose. Same concept at turkey baster but hands stay dry

Julian is a really good guy and sometimes has an odd sense of humor. I think this product came out in about 2011 and I talked to him about it in about 2014 - I always appreciate his ability to think outside the box (sometimes way outside the box). There is no question that he has done a lot for this field.

 

[Rakie]

To spot feed mysis you can turn your flow off and suck up tank water mixed with mysis in a turkey baster.

Yep, this is it. I would say I use large 3-5mL pipettes from Amazon (you can get like 100 for $5 or so). I cut the tips off for mysis to fit through and use those. This is sometimes easier for me because I'm trying to spot feed each individual head.

Otherwise, people take bottles and cut the bottom off, put it around the coral and squirt in food. Makes sure you get quite a bit of food in there on the corals.

Here is an R2R thread describing a DIY coral feeder that is yet another option.

Also cool, I've never seen that before! Thanks much, I might just make one out of my useless sea squirt

 

[rkpetersen]

It does have a bad name lol. I haven’t got one simply because the name creeps me out lol.

It doesn't help that many of the TLF ads in Coral magazine are inappropriately sexual and creepy.
Whoever is/was in charge of their marketing, they're not very good at it.

I've never had much luck spot feeding corals. Too many hungry fish, shrimp, and serpent stars. Haven't tried the half-bottle method; sounds like there would be a lot of waste.

 

[Rakie]

I've never had much luck spot feeding corals. Too many hungry fish, shrimp, and serpent stars. Haven't tried the half-bottle method; sounds like there would be a lot of waste.

I have a frag tank with no fish in it, and I can tell you there is a night and day difference in spot feeding corals -- assuming you don't have nosy fish.

I might suggest using half of a 1L or 2L bottle (like a soda bottle), putting the feeding tube through the top part, cut off the bottom, and it's like a shield for the coral from fish. You don't have to of course, but it makes such a big difference spot feeding I think it'll be worth the headache once or twice a week.

 

[ShariC]

Wow. Thanks so much for all the replies and suggestions. No fish in the tank with corals currently but they'll eventually move into the display with fish. Variety of corals, such as mushrooms, candy canes, zoas, flower pots, and a few others.

And, duh, turn off the pumps and wave maker! That one should have been obvious. :rolleyes:

 

[Rakie]

Wow. Thanks so much for all the replies and suggestions. No fish in the tank with corals currently but they'll eventually move into the display with fish. Variety of corals, such as mushrooms, candy canes, zoas, flower pots, and a few others.

And, duh, turn off the pumps and wave maker! That one should have been obvious. :rolleyes:

If you don't have fish in a QT type tank you will need to dose no3/po4 to get numbers stable for fish. If you have no pests in your display, you can do a water change and keep your display water to put into your coral QT to give them a little nutrients. Otherwise if you're always getting coral consider keeping something alive in there, like a 6 line wrasse that will not only eat ANY pests, but slowly contribute to the nutrients in the tank via feedings and poop.

If you don't keep the QT up all the time, and your display is pest free, setup your coral QT with display water, and have a little kn03, and phosphate on hand to dose to normal levels.