Filter feeder questions

[Dearth]

I have forayed into the world of filter feeders namely a Flame Scallop and I realize that survival rates in the first year are realitively low mostly due to starvation and stress and a short life span. I have done a ton of reading and research before buying a filter feeder but one can never have too much information.

Questions I have

1) for those that have filter feeders is your tank water clean or is it somewhat dirty as in lots of floaters?

2) I have tons of feather dusters and have received mixed information that I have either a healthy system or the water is too dirty. My water has a lot of fine particles in it that float in the water column.

3) do you target feed and if so what do you generally feed your filter feeders? I bought a bottle of Kent Microvert food that everything in my tank seems to go gaga for is it enough?

Any other hints or tricks any information is appreciated good or bad

[Craigdillman]

I have some black sun corals and Christmas tree rocks and both are dping pretty good so far, I feed reef roids and coral frenzy but I think any food that's similar and has the small fine particles would work. I feed to the tank few times a week and when I do I usally target feed them initally before Turing be flow on to feed the rest of the tank.
My water still looks pretty clear I don't think you need to have consistent "dirty" water as long as your giving tjem the nutrients few times a week they need

I find most the corals love it the sps always have crazy extention after and I think it benifits lots of the LPS too that are hard to feed like wall hammers and ricc mushrooms

[daplatapus]

I managed to keep 2 flame scallops alive in my tank for a year. I fed the tank heavy but I rarely ever saw them. They are cool when you can actually see them, but it was a rarity. I wouldn't recommend them.

[Eyford01]

for over 2 years until I sold my old set up I had 2 flame scallops 2 mandarins a rainfords goby and 2 pipefish none of which ate frozen food or anything I added but just lived off what grew in the tank. I had a large HOB filter full of chaeto acting as a refugium and lots of crushed LR in the sump to grow tons of pods but I largely attribute my success to not having a skimmer which takes out a lot of your phytoplankton. My water was never cloudy or full of particulate but I did have to do more water changes and watch my chem levels and feeding more closely but I think it was worth it. Flame scallops like to hide so the trick is to create a recessed area where they will feel safe but you can still look into from a certain angle (a low down, deep, shaded hole) but the extra engineering is worth it, really loved those guys

[westreefmang]

Ive had my flame scallop for about a year and half i have pretty clean water as in a sps tank i do spot feed him about every 2 weeks sometimes 3 hes seems to have done well only problem ive had is he like to get to back of tank always bringing him back up front lol

[jason604]

I too have a electric flame scallop but the first night I got him he scrawled behind a rock n attached himself to it at the back of my tank. I have no way of feeding him but he's still alive. I can see his whiskers. Dunno what he's eating but he's eating something. It's been atleast 6months