Is a mixed reef achievable by mere mortals?

[Dave-T]

I’m a nascent reefer, about to start cycling my first tank – a 240g. When asked what kind of reef I want, my answer I think is similar to most peoples’ – I basically want everything. I love the beauty and majesty of a tank filled with acros, but I also like the movement of soft corals, and there are a lot of LPS that I’d like to have as well. But some people have discouraged me from attempting a mixed reef because the needs of the corals are too disparate, in terms of water quality, chemistry, etc.

But I know it has been done! So is a mixed reef achievable, other than by a reefing god? How is it done? Are there hard and soft corals that do work and play well together? Are there things I can do in the early days of my tank to help me towards this goal? Are there problems I should be aware of before I set down this path?

Tell me I’m not crazy!

 

[ZombieEngineer]

It can most definitely be done, it just won't be the "ideal" scenario for either type. Lighting wise, just make sure you have a variety of different par levels so that lower light stuff has a place in the 50-200 par range and the upper half of the tank is 150-500 par for your SPS.

Nutrient wise I think the idea that LPS need "dirty" tanks and SPS need "clean" tanks is deceiving. I have had similar growth for LPS in average nutrients (10ppm NO3, 0.05 PO4) as I have in high nutrients (30 NO3 0.15 PO4). I have had better SPS growth in average nutrients than I have in Ultra Low nutrients (2ppm NO3, 0.02 PO4). Personally I think as long as you are in that average range, you will maximize both.

 

[PatW]

I have an SPS dominant tank. It started as a mixed reef and I have some favia and euphyla and an acan, near the bottom In the lower light. Even though I run low nutrients that LPS do just fine. I even have a flower anemone.

As for SPS, I have montipora and they have flourished to the point of seeming to be invasive so I whack them back periodically. I also have some birds nests that seem to be the same. Oh and I have pocillipora and like the others they are sort of invasive. But the tank is slowly getting more and more acropora.

I think you can definitely have a mixed system. I think if you can grow acropora, you can probably do the others. But if your acropora are doing fine, you might start to think of other corals as invasive so you don’t see it much,

 

[Dave-T]

Thanks. This is all good to hear.

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

Than

I have an SPS dominant tank. It started as a mixed reef and I have some favia and euphyla and an acan, near the bottom In the lower light. Even though I run low nutrients that LPS do just fine. I even have a flower anemone.

As for SPS, I have montipora and they have flourished to the point of seeming to be invasive so I whack them back periodically. I also have some birds nests that seem to be the same. Oh and I have pocillipora and like the others they are sort of invasive. But the tank is slowly getting more and more acropora.

I think you can definitely have a mixed system. I think if you can grow acropora, you can probably do the others. But if your acropora are doing fine, you might start to think of other corals as invasive so you don’t see it much,

thanks for the insights!

 

[damsels are not mean]

If you put corals in saltwater under reasonably bright light and make sure they don't run out of food and minerals they will grow. It's that simple. There is nothing contradictory about the care requirements of any coral, otherwise they would not all exist on the same wild reefs.

 

[Spare time]

Chemistry requirement is the same. Flow and lighting requirement is different. You can use the sps the break up the flow for the lps and soft corals lower in the tank

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

It can be done and looks amazing. I’ve found that some lower light lps and softies actually handle bright lighting well……hey, not all, don’t jump on me. Flow will be the killer, some sticks require a lot, like a lot, of flow. Most lps and softies do not. So like others have said, you have to break up flow. You need shaded areas for some lower light species. You need to be fully aware of sweepers, some can reach out halfway across a tank and pretty much kill whatever they touch. Best thing is to search for tanks that you like, something close to what you think is awesome and hit that person up and ask them questions.

 

[ninjamyst]

Most tanks are mixed. Even when people say they have SPS tank, they still have lps and softies.

 

[steveschuerger]

I’d start with easier sps to gain experience such as stylophora, pocilopora, and montis in my case. I also have a bunch of lps and one softie(a leather).

 

[Jason boles]

My secret has always been to dose KZ products.
Several videos on BRSTV about it.

Thery are truly amazing. Feeds and keeps everyone at optimal health. maintain stable water change schedule, and for me it works like a charm.

I also believe if you spend the money to get the nicer equipment you will spend less time maintaining and potentially screwing it up.

 

[Spare time]

Btw is is far easier in a tank that size than in a smaller one. You have way more flexibility when it comes to coral height and the flow setup.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Btw is is far easier in a tank that size than in a smaller one. You have way more flexibility when it comes to coral height and the flow setup.

OMG, he can create half of the GBR in a tank that size

Seriously though, this is very much the case. The smaller the system, the harder it is to successfully keep a true mixed reef (especially in the long run).

 

[steveweast]

Of course a mixed reef is possible.....but what makes it possible is in your aquascaping and coral placement......along with your flow design. Even the highest flow and illuminated display can have medium and low flow/light areas. In my system, the aquascaping....and coral placement.....creates several low and medium flow/light areas that support lower flow and lower light corals. My system supports high flow SPS corals....as well as lower flow and light corals like ricordia, scolymia, torches, gonipora, organ pipe and even NPS dendros. There are even several species of anemones like a Gigantea, a Magnifica, several Haddoni, Rock Flower and Bubble tips. It's all about utilizing the different micro enviroments created within your aquascaping. You can create quite a few micro enviroments with some thoughtful aquascaping. Of course the larger the tank....the easier this is....but 240g can certainly yield several micro environments.

 

[Dave-T]

Of course a mixed reef is possible.....but what makes it possible is in your aquascaping and coral placement......along with your flow design. Even the highest flow and illuminated display can have medium and low flow/light areas. In my system, the aquascaping....and coral placement.....creates several low and medium flow/light areas that support lower flow and lower light corals. My system supports high flow SPS corals....as well as lower flow and light corals like ricordia, scolymia, torches, gonipora, organ pipe and even NPS dendros. There are even several species of anemones like a Gigantea, a Magnifica, several Haddoni, Rock Flower and Bubble tips. It's all about utilizing the different micro enviroments created within your aquascaping. You can create quite a few micro enviroments with some thoughtful aquascaping. Of course the larger the tank....the easier this is....but 240g can certainly yield several micro environments.

That’s awesome! Build thread please!