For some possibly, and I know your reply was not directed at me, but there is a need for this type of feeding, even on non-NPS tanks. Just trying to use my case as an example for others reading and for another side of why it can be beneficial or harmful.Isn't coral feedings based on the notion "more food will grow bigger and brighter corals "????
It's been my experience that unless a coral is a "direct feed" type of coral.... adding coral food really doesn't pan out beneficially and actually works against you. In 15yrs I've put myself thru many methodologies. I keep coming back to 1) only food is feeding the fish, 2) good clean water, 3) good source of light to match the corals natural lighting needs
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I know you said, coral that have to be directly fed, but I have a huge issue with nutrients bottoming out and that is not good with NPS corals or any other corals I have. Bear with me here for a second. Reef Roids helps me keep nutrients up and there is only so much actual food I want floating around the tank. Like I said before, I add 3 scoops to the food I make once a week. When the chunks get put into the food holder, it thaws, fish get food and the reef roids now makes it way around and then into the fuge and out by the skimmer a few hours later when it kicks back on. (i turn skimmer off while feeding and leave it off for 3 hours). I will have to say that, the additional nutrients from reef roids, allows me to dose less nutrients, certain corals are growing faster, with Reef Roids as the only change in a few years and overall the tanks are doing well with it added in. Nothing is target fed either, I have enough random flow that something goes everywhere, and turning the skimmer off with 10-12x turnover it makes its way back into the DT, as the fuge cannot clean it out that fast. Add that with the lack of any filter socks, sponges, or floss and it just keeps going until it is consumed, or the skimmer comes back on.
But, to be fair, reef roids can certainly create a ton of issues in a tank if overused or the tank already has a high nutrient issue. It is also not really needed in most reef tanks, unless the have low nutrient issues. Adding it in can aid in not having a ton of clams, mysis, and whatever else is in the food floating around, as it dissolves and then is easily consumed by fine filter feeders or the skimmer.
At the end of the day, all tanks are different and it can benefit some and hurt others. Like with anything we add, it needs to be monitored and not used if it causes issues.