Polyps???

[jpg29]

I have added a colony of 'Star polyps" (8 tenticals), they are open 99% of the time even when I put the lights off, unless the hemit (a blue leg) walks over them. Is this normal?
I also have introduced some Zoanthids (the orange type) but they seem to open 50% of the time and not altogether groups seem to have turns open and closed at least 70% are open at any one time, is this normal.
I feed the coral with the product "Marine Snow", is this stuff good, and how much must I feed them, the product says 1capfull every 20gallons (90 liters) is 3 time a week okay? What about the mechanical filters (JBJ 24G Nono Cube), i don't have a skimmer?

 

[Vernon]

Many of the guys say marine snow is a waste of time! I have never used it but IMO I agree fully... Please post some of your Parameters

 

[jpg29]

Many of the guys say marine snow is a waste of time! I have never used it but IMO I agree fully... Please post some of your Parameters

then what do you use?
I've read that if your water is in good nick then the star polyps are fully open all the time, as they are a good sign of water quality?

 

[Reaper]

My star polyp close at night - as soon as the blue lights go out, they close. Zoas are open the same, the whole day and only closes at night (having about 7 different colonies, and all are open).

Never used the Marine Snow before, and thus far don't target feed them. I feed the fish flakes and bits daily, and prepared frozen marine mix every 3rd day. Also feed brine shrimp every 3rd day to the sun coral - and what's left over I normally squirt over the zoas and polyps, they do get some of it.

Just my experience, might wanna try it. What's your lighting regime?

 

[jpg29]

My star polyp close at night - as soon as the blue lights go out, they close. Zoas are open the same, the whole day and only closes at night (having about 7 different colonies, and all are open).

Never used the Marine Snow before, and thus far don't target feed them. I feed the fish flakes and bits daily, and prepared frozen marine mix every 3rd day. Also feed brine shrimp every 3rd day to the sun coral - and what's left over I normally squirt over the zoas and polyps, they do get some of it.

Just my experience, might wanna try it. What's your lighting regime?

so simple plane old marine fish flakes are okay, which brand?

I leave the lights on for 12 hours, then switch to LED light for 3 to 4 hours so the tank is total darkness for not more than 8 hours, actually over 75% of the star polyps close at nite (total darkness)

 

[Vernon]

The only thing most people are doing to there tanks with marine snow is creating excess nutrients. I like the left overs idea of doing things. Mine never had a problem using that method , zoos were even spreading like crazy, even though they were the blues...

 

[AndreT]

I also use Marine Snow. Can someone explain maybe what is wrong with it? It doesn't really suffice just to say it doesn't work.

 

[Reaper]

Gali, don't know if anything's wrong with it, just never felt the need to use it...

 

[Vernon]

I have heard it isnt very nutrietional? But that is just what I have heard which is why I only mentioned it now, so dont take my word for it. When I say it causes high nutrient levels Im not reffering to experienced reefers. Im referring more to the reefers who are just dumping it in with skimmer switched off

1capfull every 20gallons (90 liters) is 3 time a week okay

as thats what most of the users do.

 

[jpg29]

The only thing most people are doing to there tanks with marine snow is creating excess nutrients. I like the left overs idea of doing things. Mine never had a problem using that method , zoos were even spreading like crazy, even though they were the blues...

Left overs I guess when you feed the fish?
I feed the fish 3 times a week "marine mix" stuff just enough so all food is consumed within 15secs, the fish (jumping bean, six line, and fire goby) get most of their food from the pods and alge, is this sufficient for corals?

 

[viper357]

When I had 3 different types of star polyps I NEVER used to feed them, they just fed on the light and whatever else was in the tank, and they grew like wildfire.

In my opinion, if you are using the marine snow purely for feeding the polyps then I think it may be unnecessary, if the marine snow does not get eaten by the corals then what else eats it? Do the fish eat it? I have no idea what it looks like so I don't know what type of food it is, but it sounds like it will be a very very fine type of food and I would be wary feeding too much of it as it may collect in certain areas of your tank and start rotting causing nutrient issues. Just my opinion. I don't think corals like green star polyps etc. need supplemental feeding, they grow very well just left alone. The same goes for zooanthids.

If you are feeding this then I would recommend very small amounts be target fed using a syringe or something similar, to avoid excessive waste.

 

[Vernon]

When I had 3 different types of star polyps I NEVER used to feed them, they just fed on the light and whatever else was in the tank, and they grew like wildfire.

In my opinion, if you are using the marine snow purely for feeding the polyps then I think it may be unnecessary, if the marine snow does not get eaten by the corals then what else eats it? Do the fish eat it? I have no idea what it looks like so I don't know what type of food it is, but it sounds like it will be a very very fine type of food and I would be wary feeding too much of it as it may collect in certain areas of your tank and start rotting causing nutrient issues. Just my opinion. I don't think corals like green star polyps etc. need supplemental feeding, they grow very well just left alone. The same goes for zooanthids.

If you are feeding this then I would recommend very small amounts be target fed using a syringe or something similar, to avoid excessive waste.

Amen, you said what I thought!! Just couldnt put in a sentence like you did

 

[jpg29]

When I had 3 different types of star polyps I NEVER used to feed them, they just fed on the light and whatever else was in the tank, and they grew like wildfire.

In my opinion, if you are using the marine snow purely for feeding the polyps then I think it may be unnecessary, if the marine snow does not get eaten by the corals then what else eats it? Do the fish eat it? I have no idea what it looks like so I don't know what type of food it is, but it sounds like it will be a very very fine type of food and I would be wary feeding too much of it as it may collect in certain areas of your tank and start rotting causing nutrient issues. Just my opinion. I don't think corals like green star polyps etc. need supplemental feeding, they grow very well just left alone. The same goes for zooanthids.

If you are feeding this then I would recommend very small amounts be target fed using a syringe or something similar, to avoid excessive waste.

this is the stuff..

http://www.aquariumsuperstore.co.uk/mall/marinesnow.asp

 

[AndreT]

Ok I see. Thanks guys.

 

[jacquesb]

Also - star polyps and zoanthid polyps "eat" via assimilation of nutrients in the water (together with their zooxanthellae (sp?) buddies converting carbon-dioxide into energy/food for the stars/zoanthids....)