CORAL EDITION: It doesn't feel like a reef tank if.......

[revhtree Verified Admin]

So we all have our preferences for what corals we like to keep in our saltwater reef aquariums. Whether it be for color, movement, investments or even reefing social status we all have a preference and reason for housing certain corals in our tank.

So the question of the day is this.

What coral or corals do you have to have in your tank to make it feel like a real reef tank?

Mixed reef image via R2R member @smartwater101

 

[mta_morrow]

To me there is nothing quite like a big softie for a center piece

 

[saltyhog]

I like all kinds of corals but have never really tried to keep softies. I may try a sinularia soon. At present I have SPS, LPS (acan, favia, chalice, euphyllia) zoas/palys and RFA's.

For me it just isn't a reef tank without a green slimer!

 

[Silent]

I would call any tank with any coral a reef tank.

 

[TheGerm]

To each their own.

It will all depend on the reefer and what they consider a reef, or have the time and ability to manage (not including budget).

 

[smartwater101]

first off, please forgive me for the photo above. I know its overstocked! It was 10 years ago haha. Thanks for using the photo though

Mixed reef is a must for me. Feels very natural. I've never really cared much about whats popular. I just go for corals that are appealing to me. After 20 years the elkhorn style montis are still some of my favorites. Same with digitata. Neither are fancy but I love the growth patterns. And a big LTA is still what I consider the centerpeice of my reef.

Dislikes: Zoas, mushroom/ricordea, encrusting monti, and too much green.

I just like some sticks here, some flowing LPS and softies there. A little bit of everything just feels great.

Aside from coral. I like to have A LOT of smaller fish in a larger tank. I keep a couple bigger fish but the rest are small nano gobbies and blennies. For example, I have 25 masked gobies in my 8' 160g. The little bits of movement really make the tank come alive without making it feel overstocked and crowded. Its just as important as coral to me.

 

[DrOfWelshMagic]

What coral or corals do you have to have in your tank to make it feel like a real reef tank?

My answer would be simply.... healthy ones. The rest is personal preference. Is a tank full of xenia and gsp not a reef tank? Where else would one find these animals if not on a reef?

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I like a little bit of everything but not gsp from my own experience. :mad:

 

[Silent]

Is a tank full of xenia and gsp not a reef tank? Where else would one find these animals if not on a reef?

In the trash lol. Kidding I love those 2 types but boy can they take over.

 

[fabutahoun]

Any reef tank must have Acros and Angels

 

[DrOfWelshMagic]

In the trash lol. Kidding I love those 2 types but boy can they take over.

For sure, but just for clarification purposes... I wasnt recommending them to anyone.

 

[Greg61]

I think it doesn't feel like a reef tank until you have an overgrowth of clove polyps or green star polyps trying to take over your whole tank!

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Variety is always good but acros montiporas and zoas are a must.

 

[madweazl]

While I keep SPS and have no preference on what makes a reef, a reef, nothing screams "saltwater reef" like a clown and anemone.

 

[o2manyfish]

For me a reef tank is having a little bit of everything. Having been underwater around the world every reef is a combination of things. Given our limited amount of space (even in a 400g) it's hard to get all that into perspective. But for me while the corals (all types) are the landscaping - it's the unseen fish that make a reef. I have an impressive fish collection. With 150 fish in the tank it's not hard to see something swimming by. But my favorite part of my tank is when you take a moment to study something in the tank and then notice that tiny little Barnacle blenny slide out of a hole for a bite of food. And while wondering why you didn't see his head popping out of that hole you see just a few inches away a little red headed goby sitting on a rock. And then you start looking more closely and realize that the majority of the fish population in the tank are not the bright colored (sometimes high priced) fish cruising back and forth - but all the little tiny fish that you realize are truly living within the reef. If you are OCD about knowing the whereabout and everyday activity of each of your fish... well these aren't the right fish for you. I sometimes won't see a particular Goby or blenny for 8-10 months - and then they will appear for a day or two and they vanish again. To me these little fish are really the important part of my being happy with my reef tank, and are an important part to me calling it a complete reef.

Dave B

 

[Proteus Meep]

I need a mix as well for it to feel like a reef

 

[Berlibee]

Mix is the best. I love SPS, but a nice torch dancing in the flow is always a win. (Oh, 1500! post. Party!) ;Woot

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[DrOfWelshMagic]

Variety is the spice of life.

 

[1stNoel]

I don't think it can be called a reef tank without SPS, but the "oohs" and "aahs" for the non-reefer mainly come from LPS like Euphyllia, meaty corals like Acans, colorful rainbow chalices...and my RBTA.

So I'd vote for a mixed reef with schools of fish (like anthias and tangs).