Coral Companions

[Coral&Cocktails]

In the landscaping/gardening industry there’s a term “companion plants” to discuss plants that generally do well next to each other and adversely those that shouldn’t be planted nearby at all because they inhibit growth…. While getting ready to stock my tank with coral I’ve wondered if this was a thing for aquariums, so far after looking online doesn’t seem like there’s as much of compilation of this info.
I’d like to start putting together this list for myself to decide placement. If anyone wants to put in their input/observations I’ll try to put something together.

I know most people have zoa gardens, euphyllia gardens, etc. so you put like with like to not have to worry about aggression. But this doesn’t make for a “natural look” to my eye and if I can mix more things together I’d like to try.

Questions to think about:
What likes similar flow/light requirements? What stings what to oblivion and can’t be placed next to each other? Are there some that sting but more just to hold the line rather than take over?

Here is an example of a guide for gardening that shows the idea.



If anything, show me your pics of corals jammed together that have seemed to grow well regardless.

 

[Subsea]

“But this doesn’t make for a “natural look” to my eye and if I can mix more things together I’d like to try.“

Go for it. I eliminated coral agression by mimicking a Caribbean lagoon with minimal coral and beaucoup variety of filter feeders & suspension feeders.


Because you posted under the general inert forum, consider anything but coral as a companion. Instead consider diverse filter feeders as coral companions and eliminate coral aggression altogether. I keep a few easy to manage soft corals and load up on filter feeders (feather dusters, flame scallops, sponges, tunicates, bryozoans ets) with a low fish load and a heavy clean up crew.

This makes me a Laissez faire reefer, as I manage the janitors and oversee the ascetics

In my 120G tank, I removed all tangs so I could bring in ornamental seaweeds. So, as a plant enthusiast, you can mix & match your own cocktails.

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

“But this doesn’t make for a “natural look” to my eye and if I can mix more things together I’d like to try.“

Go for it. I eliminated coral agression by mimicking a Caribbean lagoon with minimal coral and beaucoup variety of filter feeders & suspension feeders.


Because you posted under the general inert forum, consider anything but coral as a companion. Instead consider diverse filter feeders as coral companions and eliminate coral aggression altogether. I keep a few easy to manage soft corals and load up on filter feeders (feather dusters, flame scallops, sponges, tunicates, bryozoans ets) with a low fish load and a heavy clean up crew.

This makes me a Laissez faire reefer, as I manage the janitors and oversee the ascetics

In my 120G tank, I removed all tangs so I could bring in ornamental seaweeds. So, as a plant enthusiast, you can mix & match your own cocktails.

Corals are inverts which is why I posted on this thread, if you recommend a better place for this thread post let me know

Definitely a fan of lagoon style reef systems, seen a few influencer style YouTubers do them and I really like them. Also a big fan of the filter feeder idea. I’ve always liked flame scallops but worried they have a harder difficulty. How has yours done and any advice? I’m guessing if you have multiple filter feeders you feed pretty regularly/heavily?

Seems like we have similar reefing tactics, let it manage itself just make it pretty lol

 

[Subsea]

Flame scallops are my canary in a coal mine. Yes, they are very sensative.

My 75G system is 25 years mature. I focus on natural food webs using diverse micro fauna & fana which I bring in with diver collected live rock & live sand.

Two weeks ago, I received 40lbs which I distributed between three systems.