Coral question

[albertan22]

Over the past year I've done a lot of reading on this website and others, I've also read through many magazine articles and some books. I haven't posted before because I don't have a tank up and running yet, but I'm looking at starting up a 125 gallon with a in-stand sump and fuge probably next year (need to save the money).

I've read that you should pick a coral type (soft, sps or lps) and stick with it, I've also read that some people have had success with mixed tanks. I'd really like to have a mixed tank of LPS and softies. Is this a viable option? Have people had success with this?

 

[Shooter7]

[welcome]

Absolutely. That's what my tank was before I started adding the "sticks". I had multiple softies in with a couple anemones and frogspawn, a hammer, couple different kinds of candy canes, etc. Would work just fine.

 

[rick12]

question?? as for the anemones, do they move around placing risk to other hard or soft corals?

 

[Aquarist007]

the corals you pick depend alot on the lighting you provide and the flow in the tank.
Sps corals required alot of light high flow and excellent water parameters
lPs and soft corals require less light and flow and some of the very hardy ones can withstand more instability in water chemistry==something you learn as you get more experienced

With that in mind most will recommend you start with a few hardy lps corals until your water chemistry is excellent and stable

You can mix the corals put again you have to learn good husbandry--where to place them, how close, how much flow, how close to the lights, how close to each other etc etc.

some excellent corals to start with are the mushrooms, xenia, torch coral, candy cane, leathers etc to name just a few.

oh by the way

[welcome]

 

[Aquarist007]

loll shooter--almost at the same time

 

[Victor1046]

anemones usually settle into one spot as they are attached to a rock with their "foot" I have a BTA hosting a Tomato Clown that has stayed on the same rock for over a year. When you first put them in the tank they may move a bit tho. I have many SPS corals and no incidents yet to report.
Good Luck and have fun!

 

[albertan22]

Well you've both said what I was hoping to hear. I've been thinking 2 175W MH and at least 2 T5 actnics for lighting, I figure that should be alright lighting for a 125 gallon reef tank with lps and softies. As I aproach my actual set up date I'll look into the exact lighting wattage more carefully. I've still got a substantial amount of reading to do before that point though...

 

[Shooter7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11608748#post11608748 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
loll shooter--almost at the same time

capn, beatcha!

(that time anyway) :lol:


albertan, VERY good to see someone doing a lot of research and decision making BEFORE putting water into the tank. Keep stopping by and asking questions.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11608795#post11608795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by albertan22
Well you've both said what I was hoping to hear. I've been thinking 2 175W MH and at least 2 T5 actnics for lighting, I figure that should be alright lighting for a 125 gallon reef tank with lps and softies. As I aproach my actual set up date I'll look into the exact lighting wattage more carefully. I've still got a substantial amount of reading to do before that point though...

IMO--that's close to what I have--no problems with softies and lps

good luck ----take your time---even start with frags and see how they do

 

[camlov2]

I have heard that if you put the anenome into the tank first it will "probably" find a place it likes and stick with it. By the way I have also heard that you should wait until the tank is 6 months old before adding a anenome. So I would recommend leaving the tank empty for 6 months. lol.
When I got my anenome he moved around until he bumped into my frogspawn. He lost the quick battle and he moved away. I guess if you keep your favorite corals mobile and don't cement them in place you can make room for the anenome where ever he decides to end up.
I am in the same boat as you, looking into a 125 in 6-12 months.
Good luck and post often, answer your questions before starting and you won't stress... well maybe not as much.


Brian