Organizing tanks with compatible corals

[pokeyJ]

I have 2 x 60 gal mixed reef tanks at the moment one is long and one is a cube. I find it challenging to balance all the needs (lighting, flow . . ) for both of them so I've been thinking about arranging them with like corals to maximize growth and simplify maintenance a bit. My stock consists of zoas, palys, branching hammers, a torch, a LT anemone and a BT anemone, several varieties of mushrooms, 3 chalice, a cabbage, xenia and a few miscellaneous small frags.
Any input about arrangements would be much appreciated!

 

[Reef Frog]

You might consider seperaring the soft corals and anemone into one tank and the hard LPS/SPS corals into another tank. It can be challenging to raise the complete spectrum of coral life in one aquarium, especially a smaller one. Some crossover is doable of course, but there are advantages to specializing I'd think. Territorial aggression may be less or easier to manage.

The soft coral tank could be kept at higher nutrient levels to support faster growth of zoas and mushrooms. More pods may grow in this tank making a mandarin possible. Less light may be needed and dosing Alk & Ca may not be necessary. You might be able to keep a fish that nips hard corals.

The hard coral tank doses Alk & Ca with Kali or A-B mechanical dozers, has the better lights and is kept lower nutrient. It might run GFO. Better & more vigorous circulation and the better protein skimmer is best here. This tank can support a clam or two.

I think seperating the tanks along these lines allows you to have two very different and unique tanks instead of two tanks built along the same lines.