Combination Reeftank and fish only

[GermanReefer]

Dear Members,

I would like to expand my tank and Start a bigger one.
I wanted to fill about 40% of the tank area with reef and corals and put LED lights over it, the rest of the tank is supposed to get sand and liferock. The Idea is to get a bigger system to Keeper bigger fish and create different "islands" with coral reefs.
Do you think it could work out?
Thank you in advance and greetings from germany.

 

[blaxsun]

I think you'll be hard-pressed to keep the sand on one side of the tank. With respect to the idea of just having lit corals on one side of the tank, that will work - but you may find some of the fish prefer the "light" side over the "dark" side.

What size of tank are we talking about, and what do you consider "big" fish?

 

[glb]

Dear Members,

I would like to expand my tank and Start a bigger one.
I wanted to fill about 40% of the tank area with reef and corals and put LED lights over it, the rest of the tank is supposed to get sand and liferock. The Idea is to get a bigger system to Keeper bigger fish and create different "islands" with coral reefs.
Do you think it could work out?
Thank you in advance and greetings from germany.

I’m glad you’re getting a bigger tank. Fwiw, I’d put led lights over the entire tank. You never know where the corals will do best. As far as fish, just make sure the ones you get are reef safe. Good luck,

 

[GermanReefer]

I think you'll be hard-pressed to keep the sand on one side of the tank. With respect to the idea of just having lit corals on one side of the tank, that will work - but you may find some of the fish prefer the "light" side over the "dark" side.

What size of tank are we talking about, and what do you consider "big" fish?

i have a 90 Gallon tank and id like to build the new system about 350 to 500 gallons. I thought of some "simple" coloured LED in the freewater zone to get a continuous look in lightning.
bigger fish like tangs, just a legit size of fish. No triggerfish or bigger tangs...

 

[blaxsun]

i have a 90 Gallon tank and id like to build the new system about 350 to 500 gallons. I thought of some "simple" coloured LED in the freewater zone to get a continuous look in lightning.
bigger fish like tangs, just a legit size of fish. No triggerfish or bigger tangs...

As @glb suggested, it's probably best to light the whole tank (it will probably look odd with lighting on only one half, and as he pointed out - more real estate to give your corals option is better). Again, for sand - it's not gonna stay in one place - so your best bet is to opt for sand or bare bottom.