fishsince3
New member
I was interested in starting to keep corals right now I have a pulsing xenia and a few zoas but I was wondering if anyone could kind of give me the general care for Softies as far as lighting flow and feeding goes.
New to Softies
- Thread starter fishsince3
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InsaneClownFish
New member
In the broadest sense softies are the easiest and least demanding corals to keep. That being said there are many species that are more demanding, or have completely different requirements than your typical softie.
Xenia for instance can actually be touchy and likes an established tank. That being said it grows like a weed for some and can take over a tank.
My Yellow Fiji Leather actually requires the opposite environment from other softies to thrive- high flow, strong light, and pristine water- more like SPS conditions.
Lighting for softies like shroom, zoas, and xenia can be minimal- CFL on up. If this is for your Biocube, then the stock lighting should be more than sufficient. Flow should be low(not stagnant) to moderate. Feeding is not necessary, but many will benefit from dissolved organics from what is fed to your fish and micro foods like DTs.
Like anything else, read about the specific softie's needs before you decide to put them in your tank. Many, like zoanthids, can be toxic to yourself and others.
Xenia for instance can actually be touchy and likes an established tank. That being said it grows like a weed for some and can take over a tank.
My Yellow Fiji Leather actually requires the opposite environment from other softies to thrive- high flow, strong light, and pristine water- more like SPS conditions.
Lighting for softies like shroom, zoas, and xenia can be minimal- CFL on up. If this is for your Biocube, then the stock lighting should be more than sufficient. Flow should be low(not stagnant) to moderate. Feeding is not necessary, but many will benefit from dissolved organics from what is fed to your fish and micro foods like DTs.
Like anything else, read about the specific softie's needs before you decide to put them in your tank. Many, like zoanthids, can be toxic to yourself and others.
fishsince3
New member
I've been reading a crap ton of care for individual things but I figured I should get the broad generalization from someone too thanks 
For some reason I cannot get xenia to grow at all in my 180 tank at home but have had success in my biocube 29 at the office. I have them under a 150W MH and they spread out in thick, dense colonies. Those in the office who have the same biocube 29 but have the stock canopy lighting do much better with their xenias being less dense but much taller and elegant. Maybe my lighting is too intense for them vs the compact flourescents.
