zoa and lps

jadeguppy · #1 12/09/2007, 01:51 PM

Okay, looking for experiences. I have zoa, hammer, open brian, xenia, two leathers, etc. and one acro. I keep reading not to mix these, but I have not noticed any problems. Are any of you keeping a mixed tank and if so, what do you do to be successful?

Sk8r · #2 12/09/2007, 01:55 PM

Run carbon. Removes ammonia and leather/zoa spit.

Keep your lps from reaching out and touching anybody.

Put your leather last, not first, in the water current's flow...so his spit heads straight for the carbon.

Keep your water params spot-on.

And just don't pile a 'nem atop it all. [lol!]

It can be done. What you've got is what I call a 'sampler' tank---they're fun, but...as they grow closer to each other you may find some conflicts. If you start noticing a 'burned' or dead spot on a coral, move it over: its neighbor is winning.

Rue · #3 12/09/2007, 02:01 PM

Yeah...I've got a sampler tank too...will have to sort it out while things get growing more (as they already are)...

...but it's fun...and it's hard to know what you like best without 'trying' the corals on for size...

jadeguppy · #4 12/09/2007, 02:20 PM

I know acros will kill zoa. Will the zoa naturally stay away from the acros or will the competition cause a problem? I have seen tanks where corals have grown in a direction away from a more aggressive coral. I have tried to place eveything with tenticals out of reach of the other corals. Most of the hammers, candycanes, etc. have a limited reach. I have current gong in many directions. The best I can do is move the leathers near the overflow. Does a fuge help naturally absorb some of these chemicals? Man I wish I could see a color coded video of the warfare that goes on in tanks!

Sk8r · #5 12/09/2007, 02:24 PM

Corals are aggressive little animals: they have no sense of selfpreservation, having no sense of self. They just go for it. But the side that is prospering best will grow fastest---being a colony, they all benefit, even the ones 'sacrificing' themselves to fight the enemy.

"Sweeper" tentacles only move downcurrent, never up, and if you can position a rock spire or barricade, that can change a water flow, you can 'sculpt' the water currents to make them miss.

What can help most is carbon, maybe polyfilter [cut in small strips for economy]. I've seen no proof that a fuge helps, though plants 'sweeten' room air: maybe moss helps.