How to Feed Your Reef Tank: Expert Tips for Surface & Bottom Feeders | Hilary Jaffe

02-09-2026 Are you sure every inhabitant in your reef tank is getting the nutrition they need? In this video, Hilary breaks down essential feeding strategies for both new and experienced hobbyists, specifically focusing on the challenge of feeding bottom-dwelling species like mandarins, gobies, and corals. You’ll learn the difference between surface, column, and bottom feeding preferences, and why relying on a single feeding method might be leaving your cleanup crew hungry. Hilary shares pro tips on establishing live copepod populations, selecting the right pellet size for your fish, and two clever hacks to help small pellets break surface tension so they actually sink. Whether you are broadcast feeding or target feeding after lights out, these tips will help you observe your livestock's health more effectively and maintain a vibrant, thriving marine ecosystem. 00:00 - Introduction: The Importance of Feeding Plans 01:27 - Understanding Fish Feeding Preferences 01:42 - The Challenge of Feeding Bottom Dwellers 02:44 - Using Live Foods (Copepods & Rotifers) 03:44 - Choosing the Right Pellet Foods 04:46 - Feeding Corals with Pellets 05:16 - Selecting the Correct Pellet Size 05:35 - Hack: How to Make Small Pellets Sink 06:51 - Night Feeding Strategies for Corals 07:10 - Observing Fish Health & Warning Signs ______________________________________________ ⚠️ Products In This Video ► Reef Nutrition Apex-Pods Live Copepods (6 oz) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/apex-pods-live-copepods-6-oz-reef-nutrition/ ► Reef Nutrition Roti Feast Enriched Rotifers (6 oz) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/roti-feast-enriched-rotifers-6-oz-reef-nutrition/ ► Benepets Benepellet Reef Medium 2.5 mm Pellet Coral Food (1.3 oz) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/benepellet-reef-medium-2-5-mm-pellet-coral-food-1-3-oz-benepets/ ► Benepets Benepellet LPS Medium 2.5 mm Pellet Coral Food (2.7 oz) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/benepellet-lps-medium-2-5-mm-pellet-coral-food-2-7-oz-benepets/ ► Vitalis Algae Pellets (1mm, 140g) - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/algae-pellets-1mm-140g-vitalis/ ► New Life Spectrum FLOAT - Medium Pellet (2mm - 2.5mm) 120g - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/float-medium-pellet-2mm-2-5mm-120g-new-life-spectrum/ ______________________________________________ Website - https://www.saltwateraquarium.com Follow us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/swaqdotcom/ Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/saltwateraquariumdotcom/ Follow us on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwateraquarium.com ______________________________________________ 📩 If you have a request related to equipment in this video, or this video in general, email - [email protected] #saltwateraquarium #swaq