Intentional Invasive Coral Build

[Jay Duke]

I’m still not sure what I want to do with my first build (I’m still aquiring parts.) I’m leaning towards a softy dominant tank with some LPS.

But I got an idea from another thread where people said the corals they most regret adding. (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-coral-do-you-most-regret-adding-to-your-system.427478/)

The thing is, some of the corals that are the most invasive in a tank are some of the most beautiful.

You can have a predator fish tank. Could it work with corals? Only add corals that are fast growing and that way you don’t have to worry about protecting the slow growers!

Look at this list of what are some beautiful corals and some have described as too invasive:
Green Star Poly
Kenya tree
Blue sympodium (one of my favourites)
Pulsing Xenia
Hairy mushroom
Montipora
Some faster growing zoas

Is something like this possible or would the most aggressive one end up taking over everything?

If it works it could actually look cool...

 

[Raising Reef.]

The list sound like a standard softy setup

 

[Jay Duke]

So is that the problem for most people? Soft corals are all fast growing invasive corals?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Sounds good, now just add some not so reef safe fish and you have a winner!

 

[Raising Reef.]

So is that the problem for most people? Soft corals are all fast growing invasive corals?

Unless you go species only eventually all corals get close enough to become competitive for space picking the most aggressive of fast growing isn’t necessarily going to make this any less of an issue. It’s inevitable that once you get corals growing this will be something you will encounter eventually to some degree

 

[norfolkgarden]

Make the Kenya tree a neon green one. Much more interesting under both white and blue lights.

Still waiting to see if one takes over more than the others.
Be very cautious about what large palys you choose to add.I would stick with grandis and skip the large green ones with the cool radiating centers and long tendrils.
These are my vote for most aggressive and most likely to completely obliterate everything else.

Lol, Are you familiar with the colorful majano's?

 

[norfolkgarden]

For the most aggressive you can 'trap' them near a pinnacle in your rockwork. They are less likely to grow down than they are to grow up.

 

[Ranjib]

I’ll add vergas cespitulari or blue Xenia in that list also. For me montipora digitata is also an invasive thing.

I have a invasive species only pico (if I say so ) , I love it. My squat shrimp nips at then all the time

 

[Greaps]

Love your idea, may have to steal it come next tank which is looking more and more like a custom aquariums rimless 84X24X18, going to go fish only with live rock for a while though. Would like to add in bubble tips as another interesting member of problem tank mates.