mixed reef?

[LISound]

I recently upgraded my lights to MH on my 55. 2x 175 10k.
Someone also gave me some SPS.
Now I just fragged my frogspawn and hammer, I'm also getting rid of all my xenia in that tank. there is also a large plate, small sinulara, GSP, one mushroom, and a small kenya frag.
Do you see any problems with the type of other corals I add or the above? SPS or LPS.
I'd like to add some galaxia and load up on SPS.
I realize i have limitations b/c this is only a 55 with no sump and i have not started to run carbon yet.
I do 22 gallon WC per week, so i guess that's helping.
the tank is BB and i wet skim.
I'm going to increase my fish load too.
Right now, just a small clown and a coral beauty that I'm getting rid of.
She nips at everything

[Loverotties]

I'd get more rock(your at the min.)Rule is 1 1/2 to 2lbs. per gallon.

[Geoff]

you might have a bit of a problem since LPS/softies and SPS like slightly different water conditions. you may find that the SPS will brown on you due to the added nutrients in the water column from feeding the LPS. depending on the size of the softies you may run into chemical warefare problems with the SPS.

G~

[DarthOcellaris]

Yeah, I learned the hard way that softies and SPS just don't mix

[LISound]

is there any hard fast rule...this coral will play nice with that coral.
or just pull out all the LPS?

looking for some more reading material...i've searched here but could not find what i was looking for.

[LISound]

not sure what the rock has to do with it?
Plus, I don't think i could fit anymore in there.

Originally Posted by Loverotties

I'd get more rock(your at the min.)Rule is 1 1/2 to 2lbs. per gallon.

[markk96]

Agreed they do not mix very well, you can keep some together, but I would not do alot of mixed corals.

[LISound]

does anyone know what corals to avoid.
I'd like to keep some GSP, Xenia, frogspawn, pink tip hammer and some zoos.
What type of mix are people keeping---just so i have an idea.

[DarthOcellaris]

Xenia would be the worst one on your list to keep with any sps imo. They thrive in less-than-quality water and WILL grow VERY quickly.

[LISound]

Originally Posted by DarthOcellaris

Xenia would be the worst one on your list to keep with any sps imo. They thrive in less-than-quality water and WILL grow VERY quickly.

Yah---they are very fast growers...but that is always the first coral people comment about too.
I don't mind getting rid of all of it in that tank.
I guess keeping any LPS is out unless i run carbon...which i will be doing in the next few weeks.
Sorry, but this is all still new to me...and reading as much as possible.
how will i know if the corals aren't getting along---I don't want RTN to kill the coral in a few hours if they are placed to close to each other.
I can't get rid of the LPS until this weekend.

[DarthOcellaris]

Corals that are unhappy will show you by not opening up or extending polyps. Another way to tell is if the coral, in the case of LPS, looks deflated or 'tired'.

Running carbon is a good thing especially if you house softies.

[cjtice]

Originally Posted by LISound

Yah---they are very fast growers...but that is always the first coral people comment about too.
I don't mind getting rid of all of it in that tank.
I guess keeping any LPS is out unless i run carbon...which i will be doing in the next few weeks.
Sorry, but this is all still new to me...and reading as much as possible.
how will i know if the corals aren't getting along---I don't want RTN to kill the coral in a few hours if they are placed to close to each other.
I can't get rid of the LPS until this weekend.

You can keep LPS and softies in a tank together without running carbon, IMO. I have done it for months and everything looks great!

Now you will not be able to keep SPS without running carbon at the least.

Chris

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by LISound

not sure what the rock has to do with it?
Plus, I don't think i could fit anymore in there.

Needing more rock has nothing to do with it and the old rule of needing 1.5-2 lbs per gallon is pure HOOEY and it amazes me people still parrot that stupid rule back out over and over.

First of all, if you can even fit 2 pounds of rock pre gallon in it youve got one or most likely BOTH the following going on

1. your rock is dense crap and should be thrown out and replaced with better rock
2. you have it stacked WAY too tightly together and there is no way you are getting good flow throughout, Detritus IS collecting and rotting and the rock is absolutely defeating its purpose in the first place

Get as much rock as looks good to you, and make sure it is stacked openly and you are getting good flow through it and THAT is how much live rock is needed for an effective biological filter.

ok...im done ranting

As far as the question at hand......LPS and softies are fine. Just keep them away from stinging range. Its leathers and xenias that are the worst and really shouldnt be kept in a tank you plan on keeping lots of sps in.....GSP is ok, just keep it off the main reef or you will regret it.

Mixed tanks are totally doable. Running carbon monthly anyway is a good idea in a mixed tank IMO.

[LISound]

thanks fly

Bottom line...just watch closley
I thought I was a seasoned reefer...but know nothing about SPS.
I'm glad I like to read

[wyliecoyote]

i've got leathers, lps, asd sps mixed. i've always done this and never had any real problems. i am using carbon now but didn't for years. skimming and weekly water changes go a long way. i don't generally feed my corals and feed one cube of frozen food a day to my fish. your corals will tell you if there is a problem.