Feeding Corals

[Aquattro]

I believe corals, in aquariums, get enough light that they don't need to be fed. They have no weeks of diminished sun due to clouds, sedimentation, etc like they do in the wild.
I think growth is over rated and patience takes care of that. Don't worry, they'll all get too big soon enough.
I think the potential for polluting the tank is too great to be dumping free floating food into the water column, as I'm sure 80% of it goes uneaten and rots in the tank.
I would agree that certain LPS can benefit from spot feeding IF healing from fragging or other damage, or poor conditions that have been otherwise rectified (bad lights at LFS, etc).
Overall, I have never fed a coral and don't suffer from lack of any of the described benefits of feeding. Great growth, great color and overall thriving.
Based on that, I see no benefit, and a few downsides to feeding. Again, lots of people do with no apparent issues, but I don't think it's optimal for a tank.

There are so many things to manage in a reef, and while lots of things "work", only a few things are optimal. As always, IMO

[Taipan]

There are those that find feeding (LPS in particular) just plain cool. lol I agree with above statements; but I find it a treat not only for the corals per se; but also a treat for me to watch certain corals open up and feed (ie. Scolymia).

From experience; I would argue that some 'slower' growing corals do benefit from the occasional spot feeding (such as acans - in my opinion).

Also; on a slightly different topic - non photosynthetic corals (dendros, rhizos) benefit from the occasional spot feeding as opposed to merely left to fend for their own from broadcast feedings.

While most of this food may go to waste....I think the circle of life takes care of a good portion of it - whether it be fish, clams, starfish, CUC, even algae.....all can have some benefit from it.

P.S. - I freely admit I pollute my tank one in a while with various feedings - whether it be phyto, cylcopeeze, fuel, pellets. This is NOT a regiment for everyone - especially SPS heavy setups, and low nutrient displays such as ZeoVit.

[Madreefer]

Ok. So another question.
Is there anyone who has fed their corals and stopped? If so did you notice a change in specifically SPS?
I took my filter socks out last feb and I noticed better growth and color. Maybe coincidence I dunno. But it is another source of food (detritus). I'm seriously thinking on feeding Coral Frenzy twice a week for 6 months just to see if there's a change. But yet I don't want to pollute my tank. Thoughts?

[IanWR]

I recently read this http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/12/aafeature. Although much of the science-y stuff starts to sound like gobbledygook in no time, it's still an interesting read.