Are mixed reefs really hard to keep?

[Gumbies R Us]

You know what is one of my favorite reef tanks I see on here? Mixed reefs. Seeing a tank that is blooming with corals for all the different spectrums is always a joy to see. You get your rocks covered in sticks, and you have your island that is covered in zoas or maybe duncans. I personally have never kept a mixed reef before, but I have had this question pop into my mind, "Is it really that hard to maintain a mixed reef"? That is why I am asking all of you! Do you think mixed reefs are hard to keep or are they easy to keep?

 

[tymo92]

I voted “somewhere in between” because mixed reefs can mean different things. Keeping many types of coral together except Acros? Relatively easy. Keeping Acros with LPS and trying to provide the right flow, lighting, and nutrients to all? Challenging.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I love having a mixed but if the hammers etc decide they wont stay alive in my tank, im fine with sps and zoas (which are also giving me some problems in a few cases). I've really dug my hooks into acropora, and I thought I would never do it. I dont even know why I like them so much.

 

[revhtree]

A mixed reef is my jam and it gets harder or easier depending on the coral. But to answer the question as presented....easy!

 

[Dannyboy402]

I don't thing it's challenging it just requires some thought as to where corals get placed. The one annoying thing I have going on is that I have these ironman discosoma mushrooms growing in my tank and they pop off the rocks and land somewhere else stinging the crap out of any corals they touch.

 

[code4]

Following

 

[19Mateo83]

Not at all hard to keep. Proper lighting and flow is all it takes.

 

[exnisstech]

I find a mixed reef more difficult. Meeting the different needs of mixing coral types just requires more thought and planning. Too much flow here not enough there. The same with lighting. Even fish choice has to be planned because some will eat certain corals but not others. Its not overly difficult but it does require more thought and planning than say an SPS only tank. At least that's been my experience.

Mixed reef.

SPS

 

[steveschuerger]

I’d say say I did mixed reefs although the sps I generally grew were “easier” like Digitata or montis in general plus stylophora. The only softie I kept consistently, leather toadstool.

 

[Reeferbadness]

I have 2 mixed reef tanks (180 g and 200g) and love the nice mix of LPS, SPS and soft corals. While challenging with some time you can dial in the best of both worlds (flow, lighting etc). I try to keep Phos around 1.0 and Nitrates (which i need to dose due to large refugiums suck a lot out) around 5 - 10.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I think that Euphyllia in a mixed are what makes a mixed reef the most challenging.

 

[BryanM]

It takes being careful to keep it on the easier side.... So its a tweener.

Perfect example, my mixed reef, going along just fine until I bought a coris wrasse. That thing wreaked havoc on the poor reef, and me, until it was caught and rehomed.

 

[johnny3334]

I really think, once established, they seem to take care of themselves with minimal water changes required!

 

[CHSUB]

The mixed, SPS, soft coral, LPS reef requirement is just another hobby myth. All corals basically have the same requirements. Sure some corals are more tolerant of “poor” conditions but that doesn’t mean they preform better in those conditions. Leather corals Ime do best when provided with the same conditions as more sensitive SPS corals. The entire concept of selective conditions to grow specific corals is based in arrogance. With the exception of light and flow all other conditions are non negotiable.

 

[exnisstech]

The mixed, SPS, soft coral, LPS reef requirement is just another hobby myth. All corals basically have the same requirements.

Not sure about that statement. If I had LPS in my acro tank they would either be cooked or blown apart lol

PS: I don't think I'm arrogant I just know my acro prefer much more light and flow than my LPS they also do better in lower N and P levels than my LPS and softies.

 

[X-37B]

Not any harder than any other system. It just takes planning.
My 15 is mixed.
31 coral 2 fish few snails emerald crab
2 leathers
3 gonis
1 gorgonian
5 montis
1 octospawn
4 stags
1 porites with worms
1 Oregon tort
1 Cali tort
1 pavona potato chip
1 strawberry shorcake
1 purple stylo
2 cyphastrea
1 acan e
3 feather dusters
2 types zoas
1 fireworks clove polyps

 

[X-37B]

Not sure about that statement. If I had LPS in my acro tank they would either be cooked or blown apart lol

1 hammer, and 7 brain on the bottom works well in my 150.

 

[exnisstech]

1 hammer, and 7 brain on the bottom works well in my 150.

Oh I'm not saying it can't be done but it doesn't work well in my SPS tank. I'm probably running more light and flow than I really need. I use the excuse to set up a new tank if I want to try something else lol.

 

[CHSUB]

Not sure about that statement. If I had LPS in my acro tank they would either be cooked or blown apart lol

PS: I don't think I'm arrogant I just know my acro prefer much more light and flow than my LPS they also do better in lower N and P levels than my LPS and softies.

That is why I said this….

With the exception of light and flow

With regards to nutrients, softies in my tank need manual removal weekly with undetectable nutrients…

 

[dvgyfresh]

Mix reefs are fun and I think doing them leads you to what you really want , I found I love anemones more than everything haha