Feeding corals in a reef tank involves pouring the coral food into the aquarium water in a manner that facilitates its distribution, allowing sessile corals to capture the nutrients.
The specific technique for introducing the food depends largely on your tank's flow characteristics. The goal is to ensure the food particles disperse widely throughout the water column.
Based on common practices and product instructions, such as those for foods like Reef Energy Plus, here is a method for feeding your corals:
Steps for Feeding Corals Effectively
- Prepare Your Coral Food: Have your chosen liquid or powdered coral food ready to be added to the tank.
- Pouring Method:
- If you have wave pumps: Pour the coral food into the tank, near the wave pumps. The strong flow generated by the wave pumps will help quickly spread the food across the entire aquarium.
- If you do not have wave pumps: Simply pour the coral food across the length of the aquarium. Distributing it manually along the tank's length helps ensure wider coverage without relying on strong directional flow.
- Allow for Mixing: After pouring, the coral food usually takes a couple of minutes to fully mix and disperse within the tank water, making it available for corals to feed on.
Why Proper Pouring Matters
Effective food distribution is crucial for successful coral feeding. Pouring the food strategically (near pumps or spread manually) helps overcome potential dead spots and ensures that food particles reach polyps located throughout the reef structure.
Consider the different approaches based on your setup:
| Tank Setup | Recommended Pouring Technique | Primary Dispersal Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Tank with Wave Pumps | Pour near the wave pumps | Wave pump circulation |
| Tank without Pumps | Pour across the length of the aquarium | Manual dispersal |
Following these guidelines helps deliver nutrition directly to your corals, supporting their vitality, growth, and vibrant coloration in your reef environment.
