One Big System OR Multiple Specialized Systems?

[ThisIsTheWay]

This is a question that I've been wondering for a while. If you are looking to grow out a wide variety of corals while also having at least one large display tank, does it make more sense to plumb everything into one large system, or will the corals grow better with separate systems that are more tailored to their individual needs?

Off the top of my head, a larger system means you only need to be monitoring one system instead of trying to juggle multiple at a time. On the flip side, it's a mix of corals so more potential for coral warfare between stuff like leathers and SPS and having to balance their needs.

Smaller systems mean more tailored environments, but more tanks to monitor at once and duplicates of a lot of equipment (e.g. multiple skimmers, ATOs, powerheads, return pumps, etc.)

I got thinking about this because I've heard that gorgonians can be brutal to SPS and I have a couple gorgonians that I love along with a variety of leathers, and I guess I'm just wondering how feasible it is to plan to have a large tank with leathers and SPS. Or should I expect to pick a type of dominant coral (e.g. Leather, LPS, SPS) for the main tank and run smaller special tanks for other types?

 

[smitten with ocean life]

@VintageReefer has all types in his.

 

[Subsea]

This is a question that I've been wondering for a while. If you are looking to grow out a wide variety of corals while also having at least one large display tank, does it make more sense to plumb everything into one large system, or will the corals grow better with separate systems that are more tailored to their individual needs?

Off the top of my head, a larger system means you only need to be monitoring one system instead of trying to juggle multiple at a time. On the flip side, it's a mix of corals so more potential for coral warfare between stuff like leathers and SPS and having to balance their needs.

Smaller systems mean more tailored environments, but more tanks to monitor at once and duplicates of a lot of equipment (e.g. multiple skimmers, ATOs, powerheads, return pumps, etc.)

I got thinking about this because I've heard that gorgonians can be brutal to SPS and I have a couple gorgonians that I love along with a variety of leathers, and I guess I'm just wondering how feasible it is to plan to have a large tank with leathers and SPS. Or should I expect to pick a type of dominant coral (e.g. Leather, LPS, SPS) for the main tank and run smaller special tanks for other types?

If you are planning a “grow out” systems, I suggest you keep it seperate from your display. I keep things simple in growout tanks: skimmerless & sumpless.