Softie compatability chart?

Templeflower · 03/02/2007, 06:57 AM

Hi all,

I've been pondering this. There are fish compatability charts posted all over the place, here, on vendors websites... you really don't have to go very far to find one. A little reading will tell you that lionfish is going to eat your fairy wrasse, and that pipefish you want probably won't do well with your powder tang.

Is there such a thing as coral compatability charts? Beside the cardinal rule of space, space, and more space between specimens how do you know if softie A isn't going to emit a chemical that is going to kill softie B over on the other side of the tank. (not to mention lighting, flow, and feeding needs of course!)

Is there such a creature with which people can plan their purchases and stocking lists to ensure compatability and put the odds in their favor for success?

gflat65 · 03/02/2007, 03:37 PM

I keep all kinds of softies and LPS in the same tank with no issues and I keep some softies and LPS with my SPS with no issues. In most cases, if they are spaced out (LPS can send some nasty mesenterial filaments or have sweepers that can reach out), you don't have anything to worry about. I run carbon in my tanks 24/7, but not for chemical warfare reasons... I've always gone the mixed route and never had a problem with chemical warfare.

gflat65 · 03/02/2007, 03:37 PM

Now, that said, don't cut a softie in the tank...

Nagel · 03/03/2007, 12:51 AM

I have a leather that will kill any LPS it touches, regardless of the LPS's potent sting. Pink Lemnalia. It burns ANY coral it touches.

The reactions between corals can vary greatly. Sometimes two get along, other times, those same two will fight hardcore.

The biggest one I know is Colts (klyxum) and mushrooms. Violent warfare, and the mushrooms win 80% of the time.

Carbon Carbon Carbon!!!

gflat65 · 03/03/2007, 09:05 AM

Good to know about the Lemnalia. Been looking to get one at some point (a LFS has them pretty frequently, though at a cost).

Nagel · 03/03/2007, 10:53 AM

Well, don't use my one Lemnalia to judge them all. I have seen plenty of others that most LPS would beat. The lemnalia that I have I've just happened to notice that its extremely potent. At least there's no sweepers on it

digitaledge · 03/05/2007, 01:04 PM

What kind of carbon? I run Chemi-Pure will that work? 25 Gallon Tru-Vu

Thanks

gflat65 · 03/05/2007, 09:41 PM

Someon in our club did some research on different brands of carbon to try to figure out which leached the last amount of bad stuff, but I can't remember what he found out. Try a search for c_stowers in the MTRC forum from about a year or so ago. I use Kent...

scubalady · 03/05/2007, 09:51 PM

Great Question...I am in the process of setting up a 75 gal reef tank, and am thinking of emulating an upper reef slope with some octocorals and compatible fish. I have a sump w skimmer and two power heads with variable flow attachments. Lighting is VHO flourescents with moonlights and actinics.

Here is a list of "possibles" I am thinking of. Can anyone comment on the ones that might be better suited to a newcomer?
-Clavularia (clove polyp)
-Pachyclavularia violacea (green star polyp)
-Sarcophyta (mushroom leather)
-Capnella (Kenya tree coral)
-Scleronephthya (tree coral)
-Anthelia (waving hand coral)
-Gorgonia (common sea fan)
-Zoanthus (button polyp)
--Actinodiscus (metallic blue mushroom)
-??Others??

I'm also in love with Acropora (bushy) and fungia (disk coral)- but can these survive with the soft corals above?

I also want to include a (very) few fishies:
-blue-green chromis (5)
-banggai cardinalfish (2)
-Hawaiian yellow tang (1)
-long nosed hawkfish (1)
-gobie?
-wrasse?

And for inverts:
-25 blue legged hermit
-35 astrea snails
-2 peppermint shrimp
-2 brittle stars

I have about 100 lbs live rock form TBS and live sand about 2" deep. Tank has been cycling since Jan 29, and parameters are:
ph: 8.2
ammonia: 0
Nitrite: o
Nitrate: < 0.1
SG: 1.025
Temp: 78
Calcium 420

Any comments about the best corals and fishes to keep together would be greatly appreciated!

03/02/2007, 06:57 AM	#1
Templeflower Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hastings, MN Posts: 2	Softie compatability chart? Hi all, I've been pondering this. There are fish compatability charts posted all over the place, here, on vendors websites... you really don't have to go very far to find one. A little reading will tell you that lionfish is going to eat your fairy wrasse, and that pipefish you want probably won't do well with your powder tang. Is there such a thing as coral compatability charts? Beside the cardinal rule of space, space, and more space between specimens how do you know if softie A isn't going to emit a chemical that is going to kill softie B over on the other side of the tank. (not to mention lighting, flow, and feeding needs of course!) Is there such a creature with which people can plan their purchases and stocking lists to ensure compatability and put the odds in their favor for success?

03/02/2007, 03:37 PM	#2
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,720	I keep all kinds of softies and LPS in the same tank with no issues and I keep some softies and LPS with my SPS with no issues. In most cases, if they are spaced out (LPS can send some nasty mesenterial filaments or have sweepers that can reach out), you don't have anything to worry about. I run carbon in my tanks 24/7, but not for chemical warfare reasons... I've always gone the mixed route and never had a problem with chemical warfare. __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.

03/02/2007, 03:37 PM	#3
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,720	Now, that said, don't cut a softie in the tank... __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.

03/03/2007, 12:51 AM	#4
Nagel Old Salt... Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: West Milford, NJ Posts: 7,167	I have a leather that will kill any LPS it touches, regardless of the LPS's potent sting. Pink Lemnalia. It burns ANY coral it touches. The reactions between corals can vary greatly. Sometimes two get along, other times, those same two will fight hardcore. The biggest one I know is Colts (klyxum) and mushrooms. Violent warfare, and the mushrooms win 80% of the time. Carbon Carbon Carbon!!! __________________ "Who ARE you people!?!" "Got Prime Rib?" "Hold your children close." Jim Hobbs Current Tank Info: Tankless :( for now....

03/03/2007, 09:05 AM	#5
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,720	Good to know about the Lemnalia. Been looking to get one at some point (a LFS has them pretty frequently, though at a cost). __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.

03/03/2007, 10:53 AM	#6
Nagel Old Salt... Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: West Milford, NJ Posts: 7,167	Well, don't use my one Lemnalia to judge them all. I have seen plenty of others that most LPS would beat. The lemnalia that I have I've just happened to notice that its extremely potent. At least there's no sweepers on it __________________ "Who ARE you people!?!" "Got Prime Rib?" "Hold your children close." Jim Hobbs Current Tank Info: Tankless :( for now....

03/05/2007, 01:04 PM	#7
digitaledge Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 66	What kind of carbon? I run Chemi-Pure will that work? 25 Gallon Tru-Vu Thanks

03/05/2007, 09:41 PM	#8
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,720	Someon in our club did some research on different brands of carbon to try to figure out which leached the last amount of bad stuff, but I can't remember what he found out. Try a search for c_stowers in the MTRC forum from about a year or so ago. I use Kent... __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.

03/05/2007, 09:51 PM	#9
scubalady Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 14	Great Question...I am in the process of setting up a 75 gal reef tank, and am thinking of emulating an upper reef slope with some octocorals and compatible fish. I have a sump w skimmer and two power heads with variable flow attachments. Lighting is VHO flourescents with moonlights and actinics. Here is a list of "possibles" I am thinking of. Can anyone comment on the ones that might be better suited to a newcomer? -Clavularia (clove polyp) -Pachyclavularia violacea (green star polyp) -Sarcophyta (mushroom leather) -Capnella (Kenya tree coral) -Scleronephthya (tree coral) -Anthelia (waving hand coral) -Gorgonia (common sea fan) -Zoanthus (button polyp) --Actinodiscus (metallic blue mushroom) -??Others?? I'm also in love with Acropora (bushy) and fungia (disk coral)- but can these survive with the soft corals above? I also want to include a (very) few fishies: -blue-green chromis (5) -banggai cardinalfish (2) -Hawaiian yellow tang (1) -long nosed hawkfish (1) -gobie? -wrasse? And for inverts: -25 blue legged hermit -35 astrea snails -2 peppermint shrimp -2 brittle stars I have about 100 lbs live rock form TBS and live sand about 2" deep. Tank has been cycling since Jan 29, and parameters are: ph: 8.2 ammonia: 0 Nitrite: o Nitrate: < 0.1 SG: 1.025 Temp: 78 Calcium 420 Any comments about the best corals and fishes to keep together would be greatly appreciated!