Why are mixed reefs hard

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Just curious, is it trying to find the balance between low enough nutrients for acros and high enough nutrients for lps? I don't want any softies like leathers etc so I geuss it wouldnt be a true "mixed reef" but I have a bunch of LPS and some zoas and wanted to try my hand at an acro or two but always here mixed reefs are the hardest. Just curious on what everyone's thoughts were. Bonus points if you have a successful mixed reef and want to post a picture

 

[bobnicaragua]

I’ve always focused on setting everything up for SPS. The softies and LPS below them will give you less trouble than the acros.

There’s a few zoas in here, so mixed reef!

 

[KrisReef]

I think that a simple analogy might be to try and grow desert succulents along side of redwood trees. The trees prefer cold wet climates and succulents thrive in dry, warm climates.

It’s very difficult to put them both in the same small plot of land, or inside of a fish tank.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I think that a simple analogy might be to try and grow desert succulents along side of redwood trees. The trees prefer cold wet climates and succulents thrive in dry, warm climates.

It’s very difficult to put them both in the same small plot of land, or inside of a fish tank.

I really don’t think a mixed reef is hard, especially if you don’t have acros. LPS and softies do just fine with phosphates around .1 and nitrates below 10.

 

[KrisReef]

I really don’t think a mixed reef is hard, especially if you don’t have acros. LPS and softies do just fine with phosphates around .1 and nitrates below 10.

Yes, I think we are presuming different corals in the “mix.”

Probably should have a solid definition of what a mixed reef is beyond not a mono culture.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Just curious, is it trying to find the balance between low enough nutrients for acros and high enough nutrients for lps? I don't want any softies like leathers etc so I geuss it wouldnt be a true "mixed reef" but I have a bunch of LPS and some zoas and wanted to try my hand at an acro or two but always here mixed reefs are the hardest. Just curious on what everyone's thoughts were. Bonus points if you have a successful mixed reef and want to post a picture

Baby rabbits and baby foxes in a cage.

How hard can it be.

 

[Zyk5280b]

Consolidated and expanded into Acros over the fall. Had a giant toadstool, which I replaced with a tiny one to allow for better flow.

Flow seems to be a challenge in placement depending on LPS type, torches, gonis are space hogs.

Lighting - placement again is key, trial and error for what LPS will like more/less light comparatively.

As long as I've kept off 0 phosphates everyone is happy. Gonis are quick to show 0 phos compared to even the acros. Most my acro frags are still fairly young but haven't lost any and seen pretty good growth across the board.

 

[JonoH]

Flow is the hardest part i find - the nurtients not so much.

If you focussed on the SPS first, then the flow isnt so bad as there always ends up being lower flow area's down the bottom once they grow out.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Consolidated and expanded into Acros over the fall. Had a giant toadstool, which I replaced with a tiny one to allow for better flow.

Flow seems to be a challenge in placement depending on LPS type, torches, gonis are space hogs.

Lighting - placement again is key, trial and error for what LPS will like more/less light comparatively.

As long as I've kept off 0 phosphates everyone is happy. Gonis are quick to show 0 phos compared to even the acros. Most my acro frags are still fairly young but haven't lost any and seen pretty good growth

Those are some healthy looking corals. Grow those acros out for a couple years and your tank will be striking!

 

[Miami Reef]

Mixed reefs are so easy. My flow and lighting is moderate to high, and everyone is very happy.

 

[Lavey29]

I have an SPS dominant mixed reef. I run low flow in the tank and have lights cranked up to 100%. I run high nutrients with nitrates at 20 and phosphate. 2 to .4 typically.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I have an SPS dominant mixed reef. I run low flow in the tank and have lights cranked up to 100%. I run high nutrients with nitrates at 20 and phosphate. 2 to .4 typically.

Your zoa garden in the center is huge!

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

I have an SPS dominant mixed reef. I run low flow in the tank and have lights cranked up to 100%. I run high nutrients with nitrates at 20 and phosphate. 2 to .4 typically.

That's awesome!! I currently have a 50/50 split of sps and LPS and a zoa island. That said I have easier sps like montis, birdsnest, and a stylo and everything seems to do pretty good.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Mixed reefs are so easy. My flow and lighting is moderate to high, and everyone is very happy.

I hope I find it to be easy! It seems to be the general consensus that trying acros would be the hardest part of a mixed reef

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Flow is the hardest part i find - the nurtients not so much.

If you focussed on the SPS first, then the flow isnt so bad as there always ends up being lower flow area's down the bottom once they grow out.

I have a 50/50 split right now and everything seems to be doing ok thus far

 

[kevgib67]

 

[Dragen Fiend]

I have not ventured into SPS territory. Mainly because of stories of them just rtn out of the blue. Kept me away lol. I do see some really nice SPS. May attempt some cheap ones down the road.

I kept strictly to softies/LPS. But from what I can tell. I think more people run into warfare than balancing nutrients. Placement becomes a real key in a mixed reef.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Now if only I can find a way :zany-face:

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

I have not ventured into SPS territory. Mainly because of stories of them just rtn out of the blue. Kept me away lol. I do see some really nice SPS. May attempt some cheap ones down the road.

I kept strictly to softies/LPS. But from what I can tell. I think more people run into warfare than balancing nutrients. Placement becomes a real key in a mixed reef.

I just really like sticks of all sorts and don't want to have to remove corals later down the road after I turn frags into colonies, if warfare is the issue and I just have to plan my tank around putting sps in later and gotta keep em seperated than I think I can work with that

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Getting LPS to thrive in a high flow, high light environment is a challenge but what limits my mixing them is that LPS sting surrounding SPS. Nutrients are not a problem as everyone has done well in low nutrient environment.

I have a Duncan that is doing well in high light high flow and I can nestle it in SPS because it doesn’t sting. Euphyllia wouldn’t be an option here.

I have a goniopora at the bottom away from the SPS although it does sting and battle a Hollywood Stunner.

My softies tolerate high light high flow.