I have heard about these microorganisms and have been reading on Melevsreef.com about cultivating them, bur I still am having a hard time understanding what value they serve in the marine aquarium, how they are used (dosed?), and if they are essential for a successful reef tank. Help? :read:
Help me to understand phytoplankton, zooplankton, rotifiers...
- Thread starter clawlan
- Start date
They are not essential for a reef tank. They are mainly used to breed fish, feed the tiny fry.
Most corals feed on zooplankton in the wild but in an aquarium environment you don't need to feed them live zooplankton. Most people just feed their corals whatever they feed the fish. The corals just get whatever is leftover after the fish have eaten. For example if you feed the fish a frozen food the smaller pieces float around in the water and the corals catch them, and for larger polyp corals just squirt the frozen food in the direction of the coral.
There are special 'coral foods' you can buy but to be honest they are expensive and not really worth it for all the standard corals. I've had corals for years and they just get bought frozen foods, frozen brine, mysis and whatever else I feed the fish. Most of their nutrition comes from light anyway.
Most corals feed on zooplankton in the wild but in an aquarium environment you don't need to feed them live zooplankton. Most people just feed their corals whatever they feed the fish. The corals just get whatever is leftover after the fish have eaten. For example if you feed the fish a frozen food the smaller pieces float around in the water and the corals catch them, and for larger polyp corals just squirt the frozen food in the direction of the coral.
There are special 'coral foods' you can buy but to be honest they are expensive and not really worth it for all the standard corals. I've had corals for years and they just get bought frozen foods, frozen brine, mysis and whatever else I feed the fish. Most of their nutrition comes from light anyway.
Hi agree with TropicalNorth. Not essential.
However, in addition to the point about derivation of energy from light, this is generally true, but you just need to make sure that your corals are photosynthetic. Mostly the case, but some are not and entirely dependant on catching/absorbing food from the water. for example my sun coral is an obligate feeder & totally non-photosynthtic (although it will feed on much larger items than the micro organisms you're talking about). Some others like certain gorgonians and lace corals also fall into the category, but will need feeding microorgs. Best bet is to check before you buy.
However, in addition to the point about derivation of energy from light, this is generally true, but you just need to make sure that your corals are photosynthetic. Mostly the case, but some are not and entirely dependant on catching/absorbing food from the water. for example my sun coral is an obligate feeder & totally non-photosynthtic (although it will feed on much larger items than the micro organisms you're talking about). Some others like certain gorgonians and lace corals also fall into the category, but will need feeding microorgs. Best bet is to check before you buy.