Reefing Real Estate: Does everything need to be covered?

[SkinnyMcGinny]

 

[SkinnyMcGinny]

There's still a little bit of rock real estate left, but lots of coral border wars happening also! I'd guess 10-15 colonies have been wiped out by angry neighbors. There is pectinia not he other side of the tank that nukes anything close.

 

[Victor_C3]

I voted “less is more”

I like every bit of rock covered with coral, but I prefer having larger colonies of fewer individual species. Instead of having 64 different species of SPS in small colonies in my tank, I’d prefer to have 12 Species of SPS in large colonies.

As of right now, my tank is nowhere near that point. My system has been up since the beginning of February and I finally got rid of nuisance algae about two months ago. I added a test piece of SPS a month ago to see if it’d survive before I start filling my tank up with frags and wait for them to grow into mature colonies. All that’s left to do then is wait a few years.

 

[Victor_C3]

I love the “larger colonies and fewer species” look of your tank.

 

[SebastianReefer]

pack them in but leave room for growth and frag when things start attacking each other.

I just add more tanks on number 6 now

 

[Ionclad]

Whoops my wallet slipped... just set this tank up in February and continue to go to the LFS at least once a week and always come home with at least one coral... yes I have a problem

Hi Problem, welcome to the club.

 

[Back where it all began]

I run a mixed reef so I selected my fish with great,care and my live rock from Tampa Bay saltwater. The rock is gorgeous, lots of coralline algae etc. So I run a softy tank with Monti and a few acros. Im trying to highlight everything, fish, crabs. Rock. Corals etc. So a little different approach.

 

[code4]

I like my fish more than coral. That said I have recently set up a forty gallon breeder for coral and maybe a shrimp or two. I put a trachy in it 4 months ago and it rarely eats. It does swell up impressively while the lights are on. My 140 DT has mollies in it that seem to nibble on coral. Waiting until they age out to add more. My 65 gallon has 4 small fish and lots of softies. I am never in a hurry.

 

[Waynerock]

Man your glass is so CLEAN!!

 

[DivingTheWorld]

My favorite reef tanks are the ones with islands covered in big acros, but huge areas of open sand. Less is more, beautiful!

But I don’t follow that...at...all. Mine’s so stuffed I have to sell off colonies to make room for new corals I want. Someone tell my wife I need a bigger tank!

 

[Reef and Dive]

1. Are you addicted to corals? Yeahhh

2. How do you like the look of coral covering every inch of a reef tank?
I don’t like it. As a longtime scuba diver I need to see free swimming space for fish and sand, I need sand...

3. What are some NEGATIVE things you have learned about packing your tank full of corals?
I feel like it’s kindda dirty and lose track of each individual coral growth, wich is something I really love.

Currently I have a 65gal.

 

[fishguy242]

yes i have problem pack em in

 

[ACReefer]

Today let's talk about "Reefing Real Estate!"

It's a problem we all have faced or thought about at one time or another. Whether you have already ran out of space or are planning to run out of space it's something we all have or must consider. But how do you really feel about packing an aquarium with as many corals as possible? Do you like the look or are you just addicted? Both? Today let's talk about it and get your tank on reefing real estate!

1. Are you addicted to corals? I'll answer that one for 99% of you. YES!

2. How do you like the look of coral covering every inch of a reef tank?

3. What are some NEGATIVE things you have learned about packing your tank full of corals?


Here is my old 120g from 2008. Not completely covered but you get the idea...

I like to have as many corals as I can but I want to be selective and take my time when choosing them

 

[code4]

My favorite reef tanks are the ones with islands covered in big acros, but huge areas of open sand. Less is more, beautiful!

But I don’t follow that...at...all. Mine’s so stuffed I have to sell off colonies to make room for new corals I want. Someone tell my wife I need a bigger tank!

Send me her number and I will be happy to call her. But you must tell my husband that I need a 200 gallon tank for my baby regal angels to grow up in. ;Happy

 

[drblakjak55]

Two thirds coral + one third bubble tip anemone in one 90g 24 x48 inch 3yr old