Mixed Reef: Yay or Nay?

nsmith_mma · 02/25/2013, 11:32 PM

Is it actually practical to run a fully mixed reef? Right now I have mostly SPS with one Acan brain coral and a zoanthid rock. I'm thinking about sticking more strictly to SPS but I really love some LPS as well including wellsos, frogspawns, candy canes, blastos, etc.

Would you guys recommend mixing corals like this or in your experience have you had better luck keeping strictly one type? And if it is alright to mix, would you recommend keeping them at different levels, or is it alright to kind of intersperse different types, depending on species of course?

Nano sapiens · 02/25/2013, 11:48 PM

Yes, it is certainly possible. I have Ricordia, Zoanthids, Mussids (Acanthastrea, Lobophyllia), Pavona, Montipora and Acropora in a small tank running nearly five years together.

There are certain challenges and considerations, however. Ideally, the nutrient levels in the tank need to be high enough to support the non-SPS, but low enough to keep the SPS growing and colored up. Certain soft corals can produce some powerful chemicals that can serious harm hard corals, so it is often recommended to run GAC. It is best to place the different corals where they don't contact each other and in locations conducive to their well being (proper flow and lighting).

Michigan Mike · 02/26/2013, 01:40 AM

My avatar. 29g 4x24 Sunpower
Mixed reef, no sump, no skimmer, its LPS dominate, only 1 clownfish @ the moment.
I don't think its much different just keep Leathers/LPS separate from your SPS.
Run carbon if you think you need it. I run GFO/chemipure elite, kalk, & baked soda.
Small tanks right? Lol

To directly answer, mix it up unless you love a certain type of coral, your imagination is the limit!

kreef82 · 02/26/2013, 10:55 AM

yay

cugly · 02/26/2013, 01:57 PM

Ive done it for years with no problem

Mussin · 02/26/2013, 03:43 PM

I love the mixed look, my 90 has a little of each...

Fishmommy · 02/26/2013, 03:49 PM

That tank is awesome

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Palting · 02/26/2013, 03:58 PM

Very nice tank, Mussin, my fellow Ohioan.

Nano sapiens has said it in a nutshell. The challenge is finding the right compromise between lights, flow, nutrient levels, and keeping them separate, keeping carbon for the toxins. The challenge is part of the fun!

Finding the right light and flow will be about location/placement. If you have good success with SPS, the challenge will be finding the right nutrient levels. That's where I'm at currently. My nutrient levels are perfect for SPS but too low for LPS/softies to thrive, so I'm slowly raising it.

Here's my Mixed reef, SPS dominated:

dowtish · 02/26/2013, 04:04 PM

Lots of SPS in mine, but it aslo has a little bit of everything else too. You have to find a nice balance of keeping your nutrients low, but be able to feed a lot too.

02/25/2013, 11:32 PM	#1
nsmith_mma Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 232	Mixed Reef: Yay or Nay? Is it actually practical to run a fully mixed reef? Right now I have mostly SPS with one Acan brain coral and a zoanthid rock. I'm thinking about sticking more strictly to SPS but I really love some LPS as well including wellsos, frogspawns, candy canes, blastos, etc. Would you guys recommend mixing corals like this or in your experience have you had better luck keeping strictly one type? And if it is alright to mix, would you recommend keeping them at different levels, or is it alright to kind of intersperse different types, depending on species of course? __________________ If you havin' coral problems, I feel bad for you son. I got 99 problems but a fish ain't one. Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Mixed Reef

02/26/2013, 01:57 PM	#5
cugly Dansreeftank Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: chula vista Ca Posts: 1,388	Ive done it for years with no problem __________________ 48x30x20 Leemar rimless starphire panels, lit by an Ati hybrid powermodule, apex controller with apex dos, ghl dosing, mp40qd and tunze. And korallen skimmer.

02/26/2013, 03:43 PM	#6
Mussin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lima,Ohio Posts: 728	I love the mixed look, my 90 has a little of each... __________________ 120RR tank/ 30g sump, mag 9.5, SWC cone 160, Reefbreeders photon 48

02/26/2013, 03:49 PM	#7
Fishmommy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NH, USA Posts: 1,214	That tank is awesome Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD __________________ 135 DSA reef w/50 MRC sump. 10 + 5 QT, 180 planted, 75 planted

02/26/2013, 03:58 PM	#8
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Very nice tank, Mussin, my fellow Ohioan. Nano sapiens has said it in a nutshell. The challenge is finding the right compromise between lights, flow, nutrient levels, and keeping them separate, keeping carbon for the toxins. The challenge is part of the fun! Finding the right light and flow will be about location/placement. If you have good success with SPS, the challenge will be finding the right nutrient levels. That's where I'm at currently. My nutrient levels are perfect for SPS but too low for LPS/softies to thrive, so I'm slowly raising it. Here's my Mixed reef, SPS dominated: __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

02/25/2013, 11:48 PM	#2
Nano sapiens Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: East Bay, Northern California Posts: 658	Yes, it is certainly possible. I have Ricordia, Zoanthids, Mussids (Acanthastrea, Lobophyllia), Pavona, Montipora and Acropora in a small tank running nearly five years together. There are certain challenges and considerations, however. Ideally, the nutrient levels in the tank need to be high enough to support the non-SPS, but low enough to keep the SPS growing and colored up. Certain soft corals can produce some powerful chemicals that can serious harm hard corals, so it is often recommended to run GAC. It is best to place the different corals where they don't contact each other and in locations conducive to their well being (proper flow and lighting).

02/26/2013, 01:40 AM	#3
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	My avatar. 29g 4x24 Sunpower Mixed reef, no sump, no skimmer, its LPS dominate, only 1 clownfish @ the moment. I don't think its much different just keep Leathers/LPS separate from your SPS. Run carbon if you think you need it. I run GFO/chemipure elite, kalk, & baked soda. Small tanks right? Lol To directly answer, mix it up unless you love a certain type of coral, your imagination is the limit!

02/26/2013, 10:55 AM	#4
kreef82 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 55	yay

02/26/2013, 04:04 PM	#9
dowtish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 886	Lots of SPS in mine, but it aslo has a little bit of everything else too. You have to find a nice balance of keeping your nutrients low, but be able to feed a lot too. __________________ Sexy Sticks consume my thoughts. Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2339384