racefan Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I have a stupid noobie question regarding feeding.From the books I have been reading & what my son does they say shut your powerheads off during feeding.I was talking to my brother & he said he leaves his on because the fish seem to like chasing the food.What's your thoughts? forgot to add, my bro & I both have 29 gal biocubes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I depends on the fish and how much of a mess you want to make. With corals it is easier to target feed if all water movement is off. Some people just shut off their return because they don't want the food skimmed out and wasted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I always leave my flow on, to much trouble to turn it off and on. Don't really see any benefits, to turning them off. If they are on then they can chop and circulate the food to the corals, thus avoiding the need to target feed. I would agree too that my fish enjoy chasing the food around as well, plus it distributes the food throughout the tank, so all the inhabitants can get a bite to eat. To be honest though, I don't know how much of a difference it makes either way when it comes right down to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I used to turn my pumps off for feeding, and still do, if there are new, shy fish added. Once accustomed to the tank, they all seem to enjoy hunting down the food and I leave the pumps on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 I only turn the pumps off when I am feeding my anemones or LPS corals large pieces. It gives them some time to grab hold of the food and start moving it to the mouth. Once it is mostly ingested, I turn the pumps back on. I have also started covering my anemones with a "tent" of egg crate. Otherwise the stupid poweder brown tang comes by and steals the food right out of the mouths of the anemone before it can completely close up over the piece. I am almost starting to hope that one day the tang gets stuck on the anemone, and barely gets away, that way it might learn to not steal food from a BTA. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty419 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I leave my pumps on when feeding the fish like to chase it i think and helps grt it to my corals:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I leave my flow on, I agree that it seems like my fish like to chase it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I turn my pumps off.. but I have a small tank and like target feeding And for my fish they still have fun because instead of having to chase the food around they like to run around looking for the best pieces. I also made it easy for turning off just the pumps by having them on a separate strip so I just push an on/off button instead of having to unplug and replug them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I try to simulate the current of the ocean at all times, so I don't turn my pumps off when feeding. If you squirt the food around the area of your corals, then they will get enough food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 I turn off the return pump but leave the powerhead on. Less food goes to the skimmer this way. I then turn the return back on after 10 mins or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 For daily feeding pumps on. For target feeding all pumps off for an hour. Just what works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckie Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I feed both ways when time allows. Some times I trun off the power heads and give the coral a direct shot of food while the fish chase food. Some of the time I hand feed nori with the fans off. Busy with life I just feed with no changes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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