Corals safe for a predator tank???

Bracka345 · Mar 21, 2016

Hello,

I'm looking at doing a predator tank with triggers, lion fish, damsels, Spanish hog, eels, puffers and maybe even some parrot fish and was wondering what corals could be put in the tank with them? I would love to put an anemone with a pair of clowns. Is there any other corals that would make it this environment?

Thanks

melypr1985 · Mar 21, 2016

For the most part, with that line up, your biggest problem is with CUC being killed. With enough research on each addition you could possibly keep softies and some LPS. The second biggest problem with predators in a reef is nutrient control. Predators are messy eaters and produce a lot of waste. They also require a large tank, which in turn requires large maintenance. You would want to chose hardy corals that thrive in higher nutrient situations- hammer, frogspawn, mushrooms, zoas/palys and other leathers. I want to stress that you will want to do lots of research on each addition to make sure they wont target the types of corals you purchase. Be careful with CUC additions or be willing to replace your CUC regularly and you can have a very pretty predator reef tank!

Bracka345 · Mar 21, 2016

melypr1985 said:
For the most part, with that line up, your biggest problem is with CUC being killed. With enough research on each addition you could possibly keep softies and some LPS. The second biggest problem with predators in a reef is nutrient control. Predators are messy eaters and produce a lot of waste. They also require a large tank, which in turn requires large maintenance. You would want to chose hardy corals that thrive in higher nutrient situations- hammer, frogspawn, mushrooms, zoas/palys and other leathers. I want to stress that you will want to do lots of research on each addition to make sure they wont target the types of corals you purchase. Be careful with CUC additions or be willing to replace your CUC regularly and you can have a very pretty predator reef tank!

Thanks for the info. I plan on doing either a 150 or 180 gallon 5' tank.

melypr1985 · Mar 21, 2016

Bracka345 said:
Thanks for the info. I plan on doing either a 150 or 180 gallon 5' tank.

That aught to do it. You can certainly have what you want with the right prep work and research. Good luck! Be sure to start a build thread when you get going on it.

sawdonkey · Mar 21, 2016

I have sort of a predator tank and do almost all SPS with one torch, one hammer, and one gigantic hairy shroom. I think parrot fish actually eat acros? I think you'd do fine with a bunch of hammers, torches, and frog spawn.

Go for it.

Bracka345 · Mar 23, 2016

sawdonkey said:
I have sort of a predator tank and do almost all SPS with one torch, one hammer, and one gigantic hairy shroom. I think parrot fish actually eat acros? I think you'd do fine with a bunch of hammers, torches, and frog spawn.

Go for it.

Thanks

Bracka345 · Mar 23, 2016

melypr1985 said:
That aught to do it. You can certainly have what you want with the right prep work and research. Good luck! Be sure to start a build thread when you get going on it.

Thanks

E048 · Mar 23, 2016

Avoid triggers, butterlfies, and parrot fish and you can keep any coral you want provided you keep the water clean and keep up you husbandry skills

You wouldn't be able to keep any small fish or inverts (snails, shrimp, crabs, etc)

Biggest issue with keeping a predator reef is that you'll be scrubbing the glass daily since you can't keep anything in there to help clean it for you

p.pep85 · Mar 24, 2016

i have a puffer tank with lots of mushrooms and they dont bother them. i go threw lots of snails but i count them as food not a cuc. i have a algae blenny for that! E048 is right you have to clean the glass a few times a week and weekly water changes are a must.

Bracka345 · Apr 1, 2016

E048 said:
Avoid triggers, butterlfies, and parrot fish and you can keep any coral you want provided you keep the water clean and keep up you husbandry skills

You wouldn't be able to keep any small fish or inverts (snails, shrimp, crabs, etc)

Biggest issue with keeping a predator reef is that you'll be scrubbing the glass daily since you can't keep anything in there to help clean it for you

Thanks!!

Bracka345 · Apr 1, 2016

p.pep85 said:
i have a puffer tank with lots of mushrooms and they dont bother them. i go threw lots of snails but i count them as food not a cuc. i have a algae blenny for that! E048 is right you have to clean the glass a few times a week and weekly water changes are a must.

Thanks!!

BoneXriffic · Apr 1, 2016

What kind of eels? I had lots of luck with zebras and snowflakes in comunity tanks but the dragon i had masacred most everythibg except golden puffer. Dragon eel even destroyed a powder blue snapper

Bracka345 · Apr 2, 2016

Either a chain moray or a spotted moray eel.

Bracka345 · Apr 3, 2016

BoneXriffic said:
What kind of eels? I had lots of luck with zebras and snowflakes in comunity tanks but the dragon i had masacred most everythibg except golden puffer. Dragon eel even destroyed a powder blue snapper

Either a chain moray or a spotted moray eel.

BoneXriffic · Apr 3, 2016

Make sure to keep a tight lid on the tank. Slightest gap and you will think a snake got in your house

Bracka345 · Apr 3, 2016

BoneXriffic said:
Make sure to keep a tight lid on the tank. Slightest gap and you will think a snake got in your house

Definitely will have a good lid. My wife and kids would would freak if they saw an eel on the living room floor lol

BoneXriffic · Apr 3, 2016

Had to put a brick on mine...small eels arent to bad but the zebra i had was about 4ft. I never had a problem with snowflakes trying to escape tho

Bracka345 · Apr 5, 2016

BoneXriffic said:
Had to put a brick on mine...small eels arent to bad but the zebra i had was about 4ft. I never had a problem with snowflakes trying to escape tho

Ok. Thanks!!

Duke4Life · Apr 5, 2016

I see you saying chain moray, do you mean Chain link?

FiremanRick · Apr 5, 2016

I have a 200 with 3 triggers, large tang, 2 large wrass' and some catfish. Not a snail or crab to be found. They don't touch coral. Personally, go with what you want to look at. If the tank is full of fish you "settled for", then you might not be as apt to enjoy it and take care of it. Sure it sucks not having the cool invertebrates, but triggers are full of personality, the wrass' are always busy, and the catfish are constantly turning my sand. I wouldn't have it any other way. The maintenance is part of the hobby, if you ask me