general reef question

[jaded]

I'm looking for some direction. I've been doing some moderate research into the different corals and fish I'd like to end up with in the "new" tank. I just don't want to mix the wrong things together.

I'm partial to LPS like frogspawn, elegance, hammer... but I like the overall look of a tank with various SPS because they grow into such interesting shapes and colors.

I will also inherate
misc. mushrooms
zoas
candycane
ricordia
150#s + live rock
1 Scopas Tang
1 Perc
2 Blue Hippos
1 Lawnmower Blenny
2 Yellow Damsels
1 Flame Angel - looks like I wont get this one :-(
1 Elibi Angel
1 Tomato Clown
1 Coral Banded Shrimp
Numerous Emeralds, hermits and snails.
Several zoos, yellow polyps, purple mushrooms, green mushrooms
Asst. leathers etc.
Frogspawn
Xenia
Green Star
Large Sebea Anemone
Red tree sponge

My question is just for general knowledge on mixing these various types together. I've made many mistakes in the past and don't want to repeat that procedure.

[alexwolf]

I dont see a problem, maybe the angels. they have been known to nip at corals, but they are hit or miss.

[jaded]

Well... I guess I wasnt real clear. What I mean is this is what I'll be starting with and I'd like to add and subtract to get a tank that is my vision of the reef... I just dont know enough about mixing LPS and SPS.

the only reason for the question is that I've seen several threads about the toxic nature of SPS and that got me thinking. I just can't find much about what combo's should be avoided for coral, although I can find lots on bad fish combo's

[JimD]

Might want to research the Elegance in depth, they can be VERY difficult and pack a powerfull sting.

[Reef69]

I agree with Jim...

[jaded]

so i guess there are no general rules to follow, its more of a case by case basis?

[Reef69]

regarding to what?..angels?

[jaded]

I knew I wasnt being clear, thats not that uncommon for me... sorry

I'm asking about the mixing of corals with other corals. I've seen several threads that led me to believe that it was a bad idea to mix LPS and SPS in general. Is there any truth to this?

[CD]

its more of a case by case basis?


Pretty much. Just read up on everything you're getting (or have already) - in particular, I'd be really careful with anything that sends out sweepers or has long tentacles (frogspawn, sebae anemone, elegance). Ricordia can pack a pretty powerful sting also - just make sure and leave room between each coral. Like items can be put close together (like zoas). I don't know much about leathers so I can't help you much there...you may even want to consider softies at one end of the tank, and SPSs at the other. I think that if leathers are in bad health, that they can put off toxins into the water, but I couldn't tell you which ones. As far as the Xenia - personally, I'd rip that stuff out of my tank - I (and quite a few others here) pretty much equate it to aquarium crabgrass. Also, you'll want to be careful how high up in the tank you place some of these items...for instance, most mushrooms don't really care for intense lighting. If you have MHs, keep the 'shrooms towards the bottom of the tank. Zoas are hit and miss as far as placement - some of my zoas don't care much for the MHs, but others thrive on the bright lighting. You'll just need to keep a close eye on how your frags/colonies are reacting to the lighting and current...if they don't look happy after a few days, try a different spot. If you are up for some reading, I'd highly recommend you find yourself a copy of "Aquarium Corals - Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History" by Eric Borneman. This will answer a LOT of questions you will have about your new corals, and future aquisitions. Hope I helped some :D

Wendy

[blueboy]

the borneman book is without question the most valuable resource i own. it's hard to spend 40-50 bucks on a book( hey, that would buy a nice coral!), but mistakes can be much more costly!

[GaryP]

Leathers generally tend to be more toxic than SPS do. I only have a couple of small leathers in my SPS tank. You can get around this by running carbon to filter the toxins out of the water. If you are going to run carbon then its important to make carbon replacement an important part of your tank maintenance. I have a seperate tank for large leathers, other softies, and a few LPS.

This was demonstrated to me recently when I messed up and pointed a power head at a very large toadstool in my tank. A large open brain immediately began to recede and look very bad. The toadstool was irritated and started to excrete toxins because of the high flow. After running carbon , doing a couple of big water changes, and removing the power head the open brain began to improve. It now looks as good or a little better than it did before.

Unfortunately there are no tried and true rules for mixing corals. They are all specific to the a particular species. I have a huge Galaxea in my tank that most people would tell you that con't go into an SPS tank because of its sweepers. I have it in a corner of the tank with a power head blowing on it to keep the sweepers away from nearby SPS. I think that you can do a lot of things that you aren't supposed to be able to do if you put money and time into designing your tank to maximize water quality.

[jaded]

this is exactly the kind of responses I was hoping for... thanks for the help all