Half and half mixed reef tank?

  • Thread starter Thread starter tchat
  • Start date Start date
  • Tagged users Tagged users None

tchat

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 11, 2026
Messages
57
Reaction score
34
Location
USA
What state or country do you live in
Illinois
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
TLDR - 2 islands, one side SPS and other LPS.. different flow and light to each?

Setting up my first reef tank and I think I have a decent understanding of basic reefing theory. I’m doing a 36”x24” 78 gal tank with a double island scape. I’ll attach a video of the basic layout I’ve setup thus far with Ecoscape rock. I understand that a traditional mixed reef concept can be challenging due to corals having different flow, light, nutrient requirements.

My idea is to have one island LPS dominant with the other SPS dominant. A Tunze Orca (+/- another pump) could deliver customized flow which would suit each island individually. 2 XR15’s could maybe even deliver differing par intensities to one island vs the other. Nutrients and parameters would of course be the same so careful coral selection would be required to make sure everything was happy.

I’m certain this is not at all an original idea but i have mostly seen mixed reef concepts being more like “SPS up top and LPS down low” on the scape vs 2 very differently themed islands. Lmk your thoughts, good idea or more difficult to pull off than I’m envisioning? Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0490.mov
    36.4 MB

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE WITH A CORAL THAT LOOKED LIKE IT MIGHT NOT MAKE IT?

  • I’ve seen a dramatic comeback. I would have sworn it was a goner

    Votes: 18 43.9%
  • A slow recovery, and it got back to looking healthy

    Votes: 7 17.1%
  • It came back some, but never looked as good as it used to

    Votes: 3 7.3%
  • I tried to save one, but it didn’t make it

    Votes: 7 17.1%
  • Mine is still struggling...no comeback yet

    Votes: 3 7.3%
  • I’ve never had a coral in serious trouble

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • See, this is why I don’t keep corals

    Votes: 1 2.4%
  • Other (Post in the comments)

    Votes: 2 4.9%
Back
Top
Home
Post thread…
Market
What's new