Coral questions from a beginner

Parsely

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I’ve been researching some beginner corals and it seems every one I come across it is recommended to isolate on an island because of how fast they can take over. I don’t have many islands to work with in my tank so I was just curious as what would happen if a couple of these different ones are put on different ends of the same rock, gsp, Xenia, zoas etc.

Will one of them end up killing the others and completely take over, or would the 3 end up striking some sort of balance and each have their own territory?
 
If this is your first tank, I would consider using these three as “indicator species” and focus on maintaining water quality and thus, the health of these easy corals.
To answer your question, these corals won’t sting enough to kill corals and in fact, they’re relatively peaceful and popularly used to make what is known as a “Zoanthid garden” as they (zoanthids) can live together while touching.
You might even find some stores or reefers selling rocks containing all three at times (Xenia, GSP, and Zoanthids) touching each other.
As you progress your journey into this wonderful hobby, you might find your wallet feeling rather light and your desire to acquire and successfully grow colorful, rare corals so i would just place these three species together or separate in your tank (on the rocks or on the sand bed) and see how they do for the first few months before investing into LPS (large polyp stony) or SPS (small polyp stony) corals as you’ll want to organize space with these aforementioned corals as some grow quickly and others pack a terrible punch/sting and will need ample distance from other corals.
Good practices like making space around corals to allow future growth and preventing stinging warfare, regular water changes, and water quality stability are key in this hobby.
Just make sure to cycle your tank with bacteria before adding livestock, use distilled or RODI water when mixing saltwater, and always do research to avoid making expensive mistakes!
Some corals might be $10 and others might be $600+ so just be mindful and enjoy (:
 
An island for xenia don't matter...it won't stay there. With the combination you list I would expect gsp to eventually overrun the others.

Personally I hate the idea of putting corals in a tank because they are "beginner corals". If you like gsp and want it in your tank and know the risks then go for it. I would never suggest it cause it is easy.

Some corals(like gsp and some zoa's) are hardy and a bit harder to kill, but most corals are not that much more difficult. Not saying start with carnation coral or even across or anything, but identify the corals you actually want in the tank rather than choosing based off ease only. Lots of los and soft corals are pretty "easy" even in newer tank.
 
Agree-identify what you like and determine how you proceed forward

lps and soft are more forgiving-and prefer start with less risk as when you see it thrives will build your confidence

xenia and gsp can become overgrown as they spread relatively wuickly when parameters are aligned-so that is why it can be challenging as they might take space you wanna place corals

zoa gardens are awesome when you out various zoas together
 
Just ask your local fish store (LFS) on beginner coral or at least coral that are affordable so that in case anything goes wrong or dies, you won’t be in such a large deficit as many reefers leave the hobby after their tank crashes or livestock dies. I had a 400g tank with $14k invested and after a mysterious black disease killed off my 5 year-old tank I took a break for a few years before returning hahah
 
If this is your first tank, I would consider using these three as “indicator species” and focus on maintaining water quality and thus, the health of these easy corals.
To answer your question, these corals won’t sting enough to kill corals and in fact, they’re relatively peaceful and popularly used to make what is known as a “Zoanthid garden” as they (zoanthids) can live together while touching.
You might even find some stores or reefers selling rocks containing all three at times (Xenia, GSP, and Zoanthids) touching each other.
As you progress your journey into this wonderful hobby, you might find your wallet feeling rather light and your desire to acquire and successfully grow colorful, rare corals so i would just place these three species together or separate in your tank (on the rocks or on the sand bed) and see how they do for the first few months before investing into LPS (large polyp stony) or SPS (small polyp stony) corals as you’ll want to organize space with these aforementioned corals as some grow quickly and others pack a terrible punch/sting and will need ample distance from other corals.
Good practices like making space around corals to allow future growth and preventing stinging warfare, regular water changes, and water quality stability are key in this hobby.
Just make sure to cycle your tank with bacteria before adding livestock, use distilled or RODI water when mixing saltwater, and always do research to avoid making expensive mistakes!
Some corals might be $10 and others might be $600+ so just be mindful and enjoy :)
Thank you for all the advice. I’ve had the tank running for a couple of months now and have a RODI filter, it’s fully cycled but only had a pair of clowns and a clean up crew right now. A zoa garden was the main thing I wanted to try but I was worried if I put some gsp on the other end of the rock it would eventually make its way over and take over / kill the zoas
 
An island for xenia don't matter...it won't stay there. With the combination you list I would expect gsp to eventually overrun the others.

Personally I hate the idea of putting corals in a tank because they are "beginner corals". If you like gsp and want it in your tank and know the risks then go for it. I would never suggest it cause it is easy.

Some corals(like gsp and some zoa's) are hardy and a bit harder to kill, but most corals are not that much more difficult. Not saying start with carnation coral or even across or anything, but identify the corals you actually want in the tank rather than choosing based off ease only. Lots of los and soft corals are pretty "easy" even in newer tank.
Thanks of the advice, I may stay away from Xenia then, I like the way they pulse open and close but would only want to keep a small amount so if it will inevitably spread everywhere then I think I’ll just leave it out.

I do love the ways zoas look and gsp as well, You think if they are on the same rock the gsp will eventually kill the zoas?
 
Just ask your local fish store (LFS) on beginner coral or at least coral that are affordable so that in case anything goes wrong or dies, you won’t be in such a large deficit as many reefers leave the hobby after their tank crashes or livestock dies. I had a 400g tank with $14k invested and after a mysterious black disease killed off my 5 year-old tank I took a break for a few years before returning hahah
Wow that sucks. I never considered a disease wiping out everything. I don’t blame you for taking off a few years haha
 
Thanks of the advice, I may stay away from Xenia then, I like the way they pulse open and close but would only want to keep a small amount so if it will inevitably spread everywhere then I think I’ll just leave it out.

I do love the ways zoas look and gsp as well, You think if they are on the same rock the gsp will eventually kill the zoas?

It really depends on the zoa probably but generally yes. It's not so much that their is coral warfare....it's just gsp encrusts and eventually just encrusts over them. If I was at the store where I keep my coral I could show you a good example I got gsp slowly overtaking zoas as it grows over.
 
It really depends on the zoa probably but generally yes. It's not so much that their is coral warfare....it's just gsp encrusts and eventually just encrusts over them. If I was at the store where I keep my coral I could show you a good example I got gsp slowly overtaking zoas as it grows over.
Good to know thank you. I’ll just stick with trying to build a zoa garden for now and wait for something else to really catch my eye then
 
I bought GSP, xenia and kenya tree for my tank because they are fast growing and easy.

I threw away 2 of my GSP and the one I kept, I have to trim regularly or it will take over. I’m only keeping it because my clowns have decided to live near it.

The xenia are on a rock and need to be trimmed regularly too. I take the rock out of the tank and use a dental tool to scrape the polyps off the rock.

The kenya tree was throwing babies everywhere. I tried to give it away but nobody wanted it. I threw it away. I had to scrape some babies off the rock a few months later and there is one that grew back a few months after that.

Only you can decide if it’s worth the trouble. I‘m glad I bought them because I learned a lot, but there won’t be anymore of those for me.

As soon as I can get an anemone for the clowns, the last GSP is going.
 
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Duncan’s, while an lps coral are great beginner corals and in my opinion one of the most underrated in the hobby. Plus they’re cheap but don’t grow all over everything.
+1 on that. Duncans are fabulous corals ! I really love them.
 
Duncan’s, while an lps coral are great beginner corals and in my opinion one of the most underrated in the hobby. Plus they’re cheap but don’t grow all over everything.
Thanks, that was another one that caught my eye!
 
I bought GSP, xenia and kenya tree for my tank because they are fast growing and easy.

I threw away 2 of my GSP and the one I kept, I have to trim regularly or it will take over. I’m only keeping it because my clowns have decided to live bear it.

The xenia are on a rock and need to be trimmed regularly too. I take the rock out of the tank and use a dental tool to scrape the polyps off the rock.

The kenya tree was throwing babies everywhere. I tried to give it away but nobody wanted it. I threw it away. I had to scrape some babies off the rock a few months later and there is one that grew back a few months after that.

Only you can decide if it’s worth the trouble. I‘m glad I bought them because I learned a lot, but there won’t be anymore of those for me.

As soon as I can get an anemone for the clowns, the last GSP is going.
Thanks for letting me know your experience! I think I’ll stay away if they are that much of a nuisance. Am just eager to spruce up the tank a bit!
 
I’ve been researching some beginner corals and it seems every one I come across it is recommended to isolate on an island because of how fast they can take over. I don’t have many islands to work with in my tank so I was just curious as what would happen if a couple of these different ones are put on different ends of the same rock, gsp, Xenia, zoas etc.

Will one of them end up killing the others and completely take over, or would the 3 end up striking some sort of balance and each have their own territory?
The ones listed tend to branch out why recommendations on an individual rock. They are capable of overtaking other coral although I dont have that issue
 
Kenya are weeds

yet while all over my tank- at least they are separated and have stopped spreading
 
What kind of light do you have for the tank?

Beginner is really relative to what your goals are and what you are equipped for.

Don't load up on coral you don't really want just because they are supposed to be easy - especially ones that are notorious for being invasive.

If your goal is zoa's, then just get some cheaper Zoa's.
 

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