Corals and dwarfs

loyalhero90

New member
I wanted to put soft corals with my dwarfs. I have heard from some sources that this would be okay as long as you have hardy soft corals. Good idea? Bad idea?
 
While I had some corals in my original seahorse tanks, I removed them after having problems leading to my keeping water temperatures lower and found the corals deteriorating.
I couldn't justify the cost of chillers for my tanks so that was best for me.
If you are a member of seahorse.org there is a tankmates guide that you can view, but I don't remember if it gives dwarf seahorse specific information.
The dwarf specific forum there would be of more help to you that way, but some members of the org, like myself, also post here. I just happen to get on here more because I'm retired and the computer is in the middle of all my tanks.
For me the big problem was to keep the corals I needed a certain amount of light, and my basement with all my tanks is extremely hot, making the bacterial issues worse when lights were involved.
At the time I only kept various leathers as well as some brown sea rod (like gorgs but doesn't need feeding) and mushrooms. (not the stinging hairy shrooms though) Oh, and some green star polyps that overrun the tank in short order.
 
I am a member of seahorse.org but a new member so I am waiting for permission to post. I have looked at their tankmates article but you did bring up a valid point that they might not pertain to dwarfs. The sexy shrimp and soft coral(without stingers and poison,etc.) are what promted me to want the colt coral and taro tree along with the glove polyps. My aquarium will be kept in massachusetts, in my dorm, which has normal room temperatures but of course a heater/chiller will be provided to prevent any flucutation. I am not too worried about bacterial issues or algae growth but the amount of light is a worry for me. The corals that I have chosen are told to be pretty hardy and they are cultured so I would place them closer to the top of the aquarium with the most light and maybe position an underwater spotlight light:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Ecoxotic_PAR38_LED_Aquarium_Lamp_-Ecoxotic-XX06850-FILTBULD-vi.html

Or maybe if I get the hexagonal tank:

http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_...xtures-Current_USA-CU01644-FILTFILDLK-vi.html

to provide extra lighting without disturbing the whole aquarium.
 
Quick question, if I have a light that is strong enough for coral but gives off no heat then could I put dwarfs in the tank with sps coral?
 
SPS need HIGH current, Im talkin high like more than 50 times an hour !!

in my 65G SPS tank, even my clown fishes have a hard time staying in one place.

also, SPS require stable system, dosing of calcium and KH and MG , and higher temp (80)

U could try a montie cap, but I'm sure that will die from RTN in a couple days.

lighting that is strong and generates less heat is T5 HO. MH generates too much light. LEDs, I havent seen any nice SPS tank running on LED yet.

look into sea fans if you dont like soft corals. or lace coral (still need high current but maybe u will find a balance. )
 
I second the sps comment by Allmost.
Too confine a space to be able to accommodate the needs of both dwarf and sps.
 
what about mushrooms instead of sps or polyps? They require low-moderate lighting with a low current I believe. Maybe?

most mushrooms are fine except the hairy ones.
according to the tankmate guide
I have alot of mushrooms and zoas and soft corals and seafans in there
 
Back
Top