How Do Feed My Coral?

[Rogersaw]

This is really a two part question:
1. When I finish QT'ing my coral, how do I feed them? I understand that they have unique requirements, but I am unsure as to how do I actually feed them. Do I get a syringe and feed them individually, should I get a doser or do I just dump some stuff in the tank?
2. The individual coral nutrient requirements confuses me as well. How do I know what, where, when and how to determine what is required? For example some need calcium. Do I buy some kind of calcium supplement liquid and dump it in the water, inject the coral directly, hand feed it or what. Also, how will the fish be affected by the coral supplements/food?

 

[noahreefer]

It depends on the coral. If you have a small enough tank it may be smarter to “broadcast feed” and spread the food out (moderately) through the tank and let the coral filter feed. Another way is direct feed the coral and get it close to their mouth. As to how you feed them it depends on the coral. For example scolys you just get it close to their mouth and they’ll eat it. Other such as chalices you can just put the food anywhere on the coral. Just remember moderation is key. I also don’t think any coral specifically requires calcium as a food source coral just need calcium to grow.

 

[noahreefer]

It depends on the coral. If you have a small enough tank it may be smarter to “broadcast feed” and spread the food out (moderately) through the tank and let the coral filter feed. Another way is direct feed the coral and get it close to their mouth. As to how you feed them it depends on the coral. For example scolys you just get it close to their mouth and they’ll eat it. Other such as chalices you can just put the food anywhere on the coral. Just remember moderation is key. I also don’t think any coral specifically requires calcium as a food source coral just need calcium to grow.

The only way fish could get affected is if you over feed and the nitrates get too high