Soft coral toxin?

[epidemic]

I was hoping to stimulate a discussion about the toxin produced by soft corals. I'm sure there are lot of people who mix soft corals with other LPS and SPS. What is the affect of having soft corals in the same tank? What about anemones? Do specific species produce more toxin than others? like Palys or tree/colt?

What do you think?

Derek

[David Grigor]

LPS and softies togehter shouldn't be a problem. I have kept SPS dominant tanks with a few softies without problem. The more you get into SPS typically you tend to get rid of your softies to make room for more corals so usually it works out on its own. Hardy SPS such as pocillipora, hynophora, montipora to name a few will usually do just fine in an community tank. Where you really need to start being cautious is when you get into the acropora. However that doesn't mean you can't have any.......I have always liked the bright yellow elegance sarcophytons they give such bright yellow color to add color in a sps dominate tank just fine........

The downside of an anemone in a SPS dominant tank isn't so much the toxins but the ability to move around. It can stay put for years then decide to start roaming. With a SPS dominate tank that can cause havoc......

[smeese]

I have heard that changing your carbon more often or running it in general will help

[epidemic]

Thanks. I was thinking more of the affect of the softies on the anemone, rather than the affect of the anemone on SPS.
Derek

[David Grigor]

A softies and anemone should be fine but you always have the anemone potentially moving around to contend with but thats true for any tank and just part of owning an anemone. I have not had any fatal effects from anemone moving around to softies or vice-versa but I have only had long tentacle, sebae, a bubble-tip anemones. I am sure that since carpet anemones can kill fish, corals in contact with would also be toast. Also no experience with Ritteri and other more difficult to keep anemones to know what to expect.