Mixed reef - easy or not?

[slythy]

I am doing SPS and then the corners are euphilia

 

[Sophie"s mom]

It took sometime to get everyone happy, some had to be moved, but once set, it was pretty easy to predict new locations

Just beautiful!

 

[apb03]

Mixed reef is tough for sure. There's a lot more you have to consider with flow and lighting. It will take some time to really understand your tank and the optimal placement for certain coral types.

Also, livestock choices will also need to be taken into account. Some fish are safe for SPS but not some LPS. It is tricky to get all of this in balance. Definitely expect to lose quite a few pieces for the first year.

 

[exnisstech]

And your water parameters please?

Not directed at me but I just tore down a mixed reef but had no non photosynthetic coral. Nems, clams, lps, softies, leathers and sps including an no name acro colony. Last test was NO3 22 PO4 0.3 alk 9.7 and calcium 425. It's all I test for.

 

[scotty333]

Not directed at me but I just tore down a mixed reef but had no non photosynthetic coral. Nems, clams, lps, softies, leathers and sps including an no name acro colony. Last test was NO3 22 PO4 0.3 alk 9.7 and calcium 425. It's all I test for.

Quite high nutrient wise , it appears that successful reefs aren’t ulns but with high n and p

 

[exnisstech]

Reef of the month may 2024 in case you missed it

REEF OF THE MONTH - May 2024: A MIXED REEF SMACKDOWN!!!

R2R Username: @thekoralito My Tank Thread: The Koralito's Custom Penisula Mixed Reef Tank Hello fellow reefers! My name is Rocky Eliseo or you may know me as The Koralito @thekoralito on Instagram. I have been keeping freshwater fish since I...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[scotty333]

Reef of the month may 2024 in case you missed it

REEF OF THE MONTH - May 2024: A MIXED REEF SMACKDOWN!!!

R2R Username: @thekoralito My Tank Thread: The Koralito's Custom Penisula Mixed Reef Tank Hello fellow reefers! My name is Rocky Eliseo or you may know me as The Koralito @thekoralito on Instagram. I have been keeping freshwater fish since I...

www.reef2reef.com

Wow , those numbers would scare me , I wonder how big his cuc is to keep algae at bay?

 

[exnisstech]

Cover everything with coral and there's no room for algae to grow. Or so I've heard. I'm not there yet lol

 

[kevgib67]

As stated, I think the key to a mixed reef is proper placement. You don’t always get it right the first time and over time move things around until it is just right.

 

[scotty333]

Cover everything with coral and there's no room for algae to grow. Or so I've heard. I'm not there yet lol

I’m working on that approach

 

[Enad]

And your water parameters please?

I don't really test often. I just let the corals tell me if something isn't right. Last I checked, everything was fairly standard. Although my Phosphates seem high, but the tester I use have always shown them high so I just aim for consistency.

 

[steveweast]

Mixed reefs can best create different habitat zones through aquascaping for both light and flow. In this photo, the Magnifica anemone is under a PAR of 1800……the SPS Stags are under 1700……while the torch at the bottom is under 250…..and Dendros in the cave are at near zero.

 

[scotty333]

Mixed reefs can best create different habitat zones through aquascaping for both light and flow. In this photo, the Magnifica anemone is under a PAR of 1800……the SPS Stags are under 1700……while the torch at the bottom is under 250…..and Dendros in the cave are at near zero.

That’s really nice
How are you getting 1800 par and what’s your water params please

 

[steveweast]

I use various lights but the one over the Magnifica and Stags are Kessil a500x cannons. The lights are mounted about 6 inches above the waterline…therefore, the anemone and stags are less than a foot from the light.

My parameters are typical.

pH….8.3-8.4 never falls below 8.3
Nitrate 5-10
Phosphate .08-.15
Temp 76F
Calcium 420
Magnesium 1400
Potassium 400
Alkalinity 8.5

 

[scotty333]

I use various lights but the one over the Magnifica and Stags are Kessil a500x cannons. The lights are mounted about 6 inches above the waterline…therefore, the anemone and stags are less than a foot from the light.

My parameters are typical.

pH….8.3-8.4 never falls below 8.3
Nitrate 5-10
Phosphate .08-.15
Temp 76F
Calcium 420
Magnesium 1400
Potassium 400
Alkalinity 8.5

Nice numbers , how do you control them ?

 

[scotty333]

Few photos with my new lens filter

 

[scotty333]

 

[scotty333]

Few frags added today

 

[scotty333]

Few more frags added today

 

[i cant think]

In my mixed reef I have LPS, Softies and NPS - no SPS. I also have 2 Anemones - BTA and Mini Maxi.

It’s not too hard as long as you pick coral from each ‘type’ with similar care - I.e. Torches and SPS do amazing together, Hammers and Softies thrive with each other as they tend to love the same things. Also as said above zones in the tank helps a lot.
At the back in the highest flow I have my torches and frogspawn, then towards the front I have lower flow species like my mushrooms and hammers. Then at the very front and I may move one round the back, I have the leathers. The Sclerophytum tend to stay lower down but spread out whilst my Sarcophyton will grow up so I may move him to the back as he grows.

My PO4 and NO3 are at 1.0 and 10 generally (in my LPS/SPS nano I do prefer higher nutrients and 1.0/10 are lower for that tank).