MIXED reef help???????
 

i've tried the search function but it never works so here is my question

i've been reading lots on RC and i can't decide what reef i want. Is a mixed reef possible with all corals. i really like SPS,ZOA's,softies and RIC's,mushies. i want to know if i can keep them all succesfully or what corals cant be mixed. i'm worried about chemicals, stinging and fighting. should i put carbon or anything else in the water to help? thanks

aaron

Yes a mixed reef is possible.

[quote]with all corals[/quote]

For the health of individual corals probably not

[quote]i'm worried about chemicals[/quote]

Use of activated carbon should help reduce competion.

Thoroughly research all purchases, Eric Bornemans book "Aquarium Corals" is a must have, ask for opinions on the various boards here. Some corals will require very different environments and may not be suitable in a generic environment. In my 90 gal mixed reef I am keeping "SPS,ZOA's,softies and RIC's,mushies" so far everything seems to be doing reasonably well and growing.

As with all corals, location is key to the success, especially in a mixed reef. Most mixed reefs that are successful still have issues with coral growth due to toxins. While the toxins present might not be enough to kill an adjacent coral it can certainly slow down its growth! For example how many SPS tanks do not have Sarcophyton sp. in them? Sarc's are found in the same area on reef as many SPS. With that said it is normal for corals to fight for space. In areas over run with Sarc's there are little to no SPS. This is because of a toxin(s) released by the Sarc's as they fight for space on the reef.

Possible but also a little tricky. Soft corals can kill hard if they touch plus soft release toxins into the water.

thanks, are zoas and rics concidered soft corals?