What to feed the tank?

[DKoKoMan]

More fish!! I have recently run in to the 1-2ppm nitrate and 0 phosphate situation. I feed regularly and quite heavy. I have larger fish for sure, maybe my system is finally maturing... I don’t know. I do know that at some point nutrients will be detectable with more fish and more feeding (overstocked tank when I dove in to the hobby)

[Frogger]

Your corals can do fine with low nutrients, mine were doing OK for a couple years. However if you want sps that aren't brown or dull you need some nitrates.

Not sure dosing nitrates is a can of worms, although it is a bit of work because you have to monitor it. It is actually very effective and your corals will start colouring up very quickly, I was seeing results within a week.

Adding fish, feeding more and reducing your skimmer time can all help but the results are not as quick.

I had problems with Acropower causing Cyano bacteria. According to Reef2Reef amino acids can be like candy to Cyano. You don't have to have high nitrates and phosphates to have a Cyano bloom, hair algae or dinoflagellates for that matter. Just ask Llorgon.

[Llorgon]

I would have to agree with Frogger. Dosing nitrates and phosphates isn't really a can of worms. As long as you test and don't add too much you will be ok.

The reason my tank looks like it does is because I was trying to grow algae to out compete the dinos. I intentionally had really high nitrates and phosphates for an extended period of time.

One thing to consider as well is adding all that coral food can(I say can because no one really knows for sure) help contribute to dinos. During my research many people had low nitrates and started to add various coral foods and ended up with dinos. Very possible it's a coincidence though.

I did however see a cool video of how one guy feeds his corals. He was using reef roids and would add a tiny bit of water to it until it's a thick paste. Then use a syringe to give each coral/head a bit of it. Really cuts down on the waste since he could give a little bit to each coral and only enough that it would eat. Might be worth a shot.

[Dash]

The problem is I’m a bit lazy about testing. I am mulling over what fish to add, and probably going with a very light coral feeding routine

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by Dash

The problem is I’m a bit lazy about testing. I am mulling over what fish to add, and probably going with a very light coral feeding routine

More fish!!! Nutrients will go up . Also then you can name them and take awesome photos

[Dash]

I can’t seem to decide on which fish to add Anyway, in the meantime I’ve started a routine of adding Acropower at the lowest recommended dose. We’ll see how it goes. After sticking to a consistent schedule of adding Reef Chili, I have definitely seen improvement. Zoas that were fading away and shrinking have rebounded, and SPS have coloured up. It’s been easy to see with the Red Diablo for instance, that became a pale pink but has now deepened. I swear I see a hint of purple in the bonsai, which has never been purple but a light tan.

I’m hopeful to see what progresses.