Mixed Reef Tips?

[MoshJosh]

I'm new, so none of my success has been time tested, but I have had decent luck keeping SPS and LPS together. As said above, keep the SPS up high and plan flow accordingly. . .

 

[Eienna]

Out of the mix you describe, the gorgonian strikes me as the outlier. I haven't kept gorgs in years but found it challenging to keep them happy while keeping enough light & flow for everybody else. Not saying you shouldn't try though!

Interesting. They don't like much light or flow? I'll have to remember that. Gonna have to place them strategically, then...got an idea or two...are you referring to the photosynthetics or the non-photosynthetics? I would imagine they have slightly different preferences? They're a big favorite of mine and I really want to get at least one.

 

[Eienna]

Ive only run mixed reefs and one of the things I feel that has made it work is use of chemiPure Blue as both LPS and SPS have their own toxins which they release, and the product helps alleviate that. The challenge often is an acceptable balance of light and flow to keep both happy.

Doesn't that take other traces out, though?

 

[Eienna]

I run the Kessil on the left side at much higher intensity (100% + narrowing reflector) than the right side of my tank (runs at 50% intensity without a narrowing reflector). The left side is where all my SPS are, the right side is full of things like zoas and LPS. I have Nero 5's on the left and right, and a Nero 3 in the center. The right side Nero 5 runs at a lower flow rate as well compared to the left side. Been running things like this for a while on this tank and everything seems to be happy in their respective places.

Wow. Would love to see that when it's grown out a little more <3 Nice job!!

 

[Eienna]

i have stylos and porites in the same tank with large leather colonies without problems.

Encouraging, thank you! For how long, and do you have any extra chemical filtration?

 

[Eienna]

It's hard to fry SPS because they can handle the high par but you are right the corals below can suffer if conditions are not optimal. Here is my tank so you can see how my how my SPS are placed in relation to other corals as a mixed reef.

Lovely, thank you!

 

[Eienna]

I'm new, so none of my success has been time tested, but I have had decent luck keeping SPS and LPS together. As said above, keep the SPS up high and plan flow accordingly. . .

Best of luck for the future! <3 Thank you!

 

[CrunchyBananas]

It’s about making zones of high light/high flow and lower light with lower flow. Building rock structure with multiple levels is key to giving everything its own spot with its preferred light/flow

 

[Eienna]

It’s about making zones of high light/high flow and lower light with lower flow. Building rock structure with multiple levels is key to giving everything its own spot with its preferred light/flow

Very neat example. Gorgeous collection, too!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Doesn't that take other traces out, though?

No-phos control, removal of toxins, and contaminants. My traces are maintained through small water changes every 3 days

 

[Eienna]

No-phos control, removal of toxins, and contaminants. My traces are maintained through small water changes every 3 days

Okay, thanks! Can I see your tank? I'd love to see what you've got. Assuming I'm not having a derp moment and you've shown me already XD

 

[vetteguy53081]

Okay, thanks! Can I see your tank? I'd love to see what you've got. Assuming I'm not having a derp moment and you've shown me already XD

I just had to . . . .LOL LOL LOL. That that youve opened your eyes wide,here you go:

 

[Eienna]

I just had to . . . .LOL LOL LOL. That that youve opened your eyes wide,here you go:

lol and holy wow

 

[ReeferHD]

Encouraging, thank you! For how long, and do you have any extra chemical filtration?

i run a bit of Red Sea carbon i change once a month.

 

[Eienna]

i run a bit of Red Sea carbon i change once a month.

That's pretty close to what I was originally figuring on doing. I'll see how that goes before adding anything like chemipure. Is it in a reactor or a media bag?

 

[ReeferHD]

That's pretty close to what I was originally figuring on doing. I'll see how that goes before adding anything like chemipure. Is it in a reactor or a media bag?

media bag, i sometimes forget to change it and don't notice any negative effects, it's just for extra precaution.

 

[Eienna]

media bag, i sometimes forget to change it and don't notice any negative effects, it's just for extra precaution.

OK, thank you n_n

 

[Gretchacha]

It's hard to fry SPS because they can handle the high par but you are right the corals below can suffer if conditions are not optimal. Here is my tank so you can see how my how my SPS are placed in relation to other corals as a mixed reef.

You have a fox coral :)

 

[Lavey29]

You have a fox coral :)

2 of them actually interesting and peaceful LPS.

 

[Gretchacha]

2 of them actually interesting and peaceful LPS.

I want this coral in the tank I am designing and it was good to see the placement below a ledge of sps. How old is your colony? It has grown in beautifully.