Mixing corals

[LAB]

I recently purchased a beautiful Acropora with Lavender tips. He is doing well and started feeding within the first 12 hours. I am concerned though as I have a green finger leather at the bottom of the tank a good 3 foot from the Acropora. It does the normal light slime every 10 days or so. I thought the distance would be fine, but this morning I found a couple of strings of slime hanging on Acky. It is obvious that I am going to have to move the finger leather to a softies only tank. I also have Montipora in this tank. The only other softie is Xenia which seems to be no problem at all. I was wondering if anyone could tell me other soft corals that would do well with SPS. How do most feel about mixing soft and hard corals?

Thanks

 

[keckles]

There is always the risk of allelopathic interactions between soft and hard corals (or any corals for that matter). But, it seems that the ones causing the least amount of concern are Zoanthids and Corallimorphs. "Leathers" seem to be the worst candidate for a stoney tank, especially because of their shedding.

 

[M. Python]

I have two large colonies of green finger leather, both are about a foot wide and I have sps and lps corals along with sarcophytons and other leathers with no problems. I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t use carbon or a skimmer. All my corals get along fine as long as they donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t touch.

 

[keckles]

Nematocysts are only one form of aggression. We must also remember allelopathy and chemical "warfare" that does not require contact. One persons luck can not be used as fact for reproduction.

 

[M. Python]

Yes I know about chemicals released by leathers to slow growth or kill other corals. Not to start a debate, but there was an aquarium in my area that was used in a book, this tank had a yellow sarcophyton that was at least a foot wide with all types of leathers, lps sps, it had acroporas that were growing out of control. It was set up for years in an aquarium store, known as The Hidden Reef. It was recently lost due to a fire. I also know of a lot of people with mixed reefs without having problems. So it can be done, not saying you wonââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t have problems, I just havenââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t seen it.

Good luck.

 

[M. Python]

These are some older pictures of it. There were a lot more sps in it over the last few years, I have some frags from it in my tank.
http://www.thehiddenreef.com/saltwa...ducts/tour_of_the_hidden_reef_reef_tank_1.htm

 

[LAB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6831783#post6831783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by M. Python
These are some older pictures of it. There were a lot more sps in it over the last few years, I have some frags from it in my tank.
http://www.thehiddenreef.com/saltwa...ducts/tour_of_the_hidden_reef_reef_tank_1.htm

Gorgeous pictures! Thank you so much for sharing those.:fish1:

 

[LAB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6831428#post6831428 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by keckles
There is always the risk of allelopathic interactions between soft and hard corals (or any corals for that matter). But, it seems that the ones causing the least amount of concern are Zoanthids and Corallimorphs. "Leathers" seem to be the worst candidate for a stoney tank, especially because of their shedding.

Thank you Jared. I love the finger leathers, but decided it would be best to move this guy to another tank. Acky is gorgeous and this is my only tank with ME so he HAS to live there. Mr. Fingers is acclimating as we speak to go into the other tank. He is very large and healthy and will get over being kicked out in a few days.

 

[M. Python]

The Hidden Reef was the best store in my area, I hope they are able to get on their feet soon and that they pull through this tragedy. That tank was beautiful!