How to know your over feeding

Bugsy_Barboza · Jul 17, 2015

4 chromis
Purple dotty back
One spot fox face
Blue eyed tang
Dragon goby
2 clowns
RBTA
Several corals sps, lps
Everything is doing great in my tank, recently got some diatoms on the sand. Not much but starting to think I'm over feeding. Got a auto feeder feeding 3 times a day. (1 notch up from the least amount setting on feeder) I put a algae sheet in everyday and a pinch of krill or cube of brine. I know it's a lot but everything is doing great. Been doing it for a month now. Going to cut back the auto feeder to twice a day and see where it gets me.... What you guys think. 75 gal tank bout 100gal total.

Waters · Jul 17, 2015

Diatoms are caused more from silica as opposed to overfeeding but to answer your question, IMO, I would cut way back (although everybody will have a different opinion). I would only feed twice a day at the most.

Reefing Madness · Jul 17, 2015

You feed what they can eat in 3 minutes, twice a day I'd think is more than plenty, if given less amounts than the 3 minute rule. And I agree with Diatoms, its the silicates in the water, not what your feeding.

Bugsy_Barboza · Jul 17, 2015

My rodi filter is only 6 months old brs 150 gpd.... I use reef crystals salt. I've been debating switch to Red Sea coral pro.... Think I should try it?

Stephanie11 · Jul 18, 2015

For my taste you are over feeding. I just use little pinches here and there. I only use auto feeder when I'm on vaca. I like that the fish act like dogs when I walk by the tank. I never use the 3 min rule. Tangs are pigs. Also your skimmer and skim mate will tell you how a lot about how you feed.

I switched from RC to a 50/50 mix RC and instant ocean. I like it after 3 months.

kendavjac · Jul 20, 2015

My fish want to live at your house;). I only feed 1-2 times per day. A pinch of flake if I'm home at lunch and 1 cube at night for 3 tangs, 5 chromis, 1 clown fish and 2 anthias. I put some a 1/2 sheet of Nori (I buy it at a oriental market) every couple of days. I always have food hitting the sand and filters.

What are your nitrate/phosphate levels? That is what I would use to gauge your feeding levels. I started adding the extra flake food because my nitrates/phosphates were to low and my corals were not happy. The fish are happy to eat the extra food, and the extra fish poo feeds my corals, but the fish don't need it.

Touring · Jul 20, 2015

Surprised no one asked him about light duration/ bulbs or age of thank.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 20, 2015

Bugsy_Barboza said:
My rodi filter is only 6 months old brs 150 gpd.... I use reef crystals salt. I've been debating switch to Red Sea coral pro.... Think I should try it?

Age doesn't matter. Is it still producing 0 ppm TDS water?

The easiest way to deter diatoms is to not allow silicate to enter in significant quantities, which a depleting DI will provide.

Bugsy_Barboza · Jul 21, 2015

Touring said:
Surprised no one asked him about light duration/ bulbs or age of thank.

Have leds. And they start cycle around 7 in morning and go out round 11. Sunrise/sunset

Bugsy_Barboza · Jul 21, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Age doesn't matter. Is it still producing 0 ppm TDS water?

The easiest way to deter diatoms is to not allow silicate to enter in significant quantities, which a depleting DI will provide.

Checked this weekend still good.

tjgr34 · Jul 21, 2015

Feeding- I'd say you're overfeeding. I've always used a one-minute rule and have had good success...when I actually stick to it. None of your fish are particularly methodical eaters, so I'd say you're safe to cut back.

Lights- That's a very long photoperiod. I'm usually in the 10-12 hour range, depending on how things are looking in the tank. I figure that although I may not be getting maximum coral growth with a shorter photoperiod, the reduction in algal growth is worth the sacrifice.

I'm not sure that feeding/lighting are causing your diatoms, but I think there's potential for an algae bloom given the amount of light and food that's going into your tank. Your best bet is to listen to your tank- it'll tell you when things get out of whack.

Bugsy_Barboza · Jul 21, 2015

I cut down one feeding and I'm gonna give that a week. No results then I'm gonna try lights. But don't want to make any drastic changes right away. Because like I said, everything is doing great just the sand was unpleasant to the eye the other day. Cleaned it good this weekend and we'll see how things go from here. Preciate the helps guys.