sinaloa213
In Memoriam
ive heard you can't have a tank full o sps anf soft coral tank
is this true?
i really want to start getting more sps in my tank
could i?
is this true?
i really want to start getting more sps in my tank
could i?
sps/softie tank
- Thread starter sinaloa213
- Start date
sinaloa213
In Memoriam
well ill give it a try in a couple months
im not going to have the tank over loaded with sps i just want to have a couple pieces.
im not going to have the tank over loaded with sps i just want to have a couple pieces.
TCC
New member
I have a mixed tank with softies, LPS, and SPS. All MH lighting.
I've had a few corals that didn't like the MH lighting so much, not just softies, but even some LPS, for those I move around to be under a ledge or overhang. A couple I've had to move to my 29 under the PC lighting, but for the most part no problems.
I don't think there's any "all or nothing" answer in reefing. You just have to experiment and see what works for you. There's nothing preventing you from having both, or all three kinds!
I've had a few corals that didn't like the MH lighting so much, not just softies, but even some LPS, for those I move around to be under a ledge or overhang. A couple I've had to move to my 29 under the PC lighting, but for the most part no problems.
I don't think there's any "all or nothing" answer in reefing. You just have to experiment and see what works for you. There's nothing preventing you from having both, or all three kinds!
sinaloa213
In Memoriam
all i want is more monti cap and a green slimer
Fragmented
New member
Those should be fine in a mixed reef.
I found that I needed to reduce the number of softies as I increased the SPS. (It has to do with chemical wars.) I've found a happy balance for my tank environment.
I found that I needed to reduce the number of softies as I increased the SPS. (It has to do with chemical wars.) I've found a happy balance for my tank environment.
sinaloa213
In Memoriam
so what sps is positively a no in a mixed reef?
Fragmented
New member
It doesn't really work that way, but there are some that are more touchy than others. It's more of a balance thing. Softies tend to be more "toxic" for lack of a better word. Too many seem to gang up on the SPS for space. Maybe someone else can explain it better. I hope so.
sinaloa213
In Memoriam
well ill see what i can do
plankton
Premium Member
Just make sure you have the appropriate water flow for the coral. e.g. a densely packed table coral may appreciate being blown by a 1000 GPH sea swirl but not a colt or bubble coral, etc.
Also, leathers and other softies can occationally shed a wax film which some SPS will not appreciate being smothed in.
Also, leathers and other softies can occationally shed a wax film which some SPS will not appreciate being smothed in.
dots
Premium Member
There are only two types of softies I believe that let off toxins that hurt the SPS, one is a leather.....can't remember the other....
However, SPS tanks and softie tanks generally differ in lighting and flow........which don't really mix with the softies that tend to be more delicate and like lower light. For instance with that Seio I pickedup from Maxdout, I have over 67X turnover in my display now which would turn most softies inside out.
In the end I thnk its two types of tank setups that won't let either thrive as much because of the needs, but if you can choose the right stuff to put together and control the flow and have the right lighting....It could work.......
It would be cool to have a long tank with deep water lagoonal side and a shallow tidal side on the other with bright lights and high flow....and PCs and low flow, deepwater/laggonal on the other........I would like to try something like that
However, SPS tanks and softie tanks generally differ in lighting and flow........which don't really mix with the softies that tend to be more delicate and like lower light. For instance with that Seio I pickedup from Maxdout, I have over 67X turnover in my display now which would turn most softies inside out.
In the end I thnk its two types of tank setups that won't let either thrive as much because of the needs, but if you can choose the right stuff to put together and control the flow and have the right lighting....It could work.......
It would be cool to have a long tank with deep water lagoonal side and a shallow tidal side on the other with bright lights and high flow....and PCs and low flow, deepwater/laggonal on the other........I would like to try something like that
Justin74
New member
Theres quite a large number of specie that will release terpenes into the water column, that regardless if there on the other side of a 300 gallon tank they WILL be subjected to it. The effects will vary, from out right recession, to discolorment, to lack of any significant growth, and or, all of the above. People that do mixed reefs more often than not, find these effects can be subdued to a degree on the most part with carbon.
Bottom line it comes down to your own personal definition of what success is. Is it just the ability to keep them alive amongst each other? Or is it for maximum growth? Or coloration?
I define success on the latter two. The best way to achieve this is to emulate the environment from which these animals come from, whether that be critters or corals. With that in mind, softies arent found in the same environments as SPS. For example you wont find thickets of acro colonies living in harmony amongst corallimorphans, and leathers, and vice versa. The terpenes or "toxins" released are part of the reason for this. It's a form of protection, and territorial aggression, certain macro algae release this as well for the same reasons. Hope this explains the why's a lil better.
-Justin
Bottom line it comes down to your own personal definition of what success is. Is it just the ability to keep them alive amongst each other? Or is it for maximum growth? Or coloration?
I define success on the latter two. The best way to achieve this is to emulate the environment from which these animals come from, whether that be critters or corals. With that in mind, softies arent found in the same environments as SPS. For example you wont find thickets of acro colonies living in harmony amongst corallimorphans, and leathers, and vice versa. The terpenes or "toxins" released are part of the reason for this. It's a form of protection, and territorial aggression, certain macro algae release this as well for the same reasons. Hope this explains the why's a lil better.
-Justin
dots
Premium Member
I was thinking more of some LPS in a sandbed area, a cliff/wall going in the center or so and a shallow area up near the lights on the right like a tidal break with lots of flow pushing over it......the left and right sides at differnt heights below the lights from left to right rather than front to back like the class "fruitstand" look, more of a cross sectional view....kinda an idea I had while typing about mixing softies and SPS.
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