Softies, LPSs & SPSs

[Travis]

Can soft corals, LPS & SPS corals all be kept in the same tank?

[phistio]

absolutely! key factor is location...

[HoopsGuru]

With just the general terms, I would say the opposite...that they cannot. Several other key factors which could make it reasonable would be size of tank and species selected.

However, it is important to remember that these corals do not all mix together on the reef and thus putting them in the small confines of a tank makes for potentially lethal results. Many are not accustomed to the various types of chemicals given off by "strangers". Also, there are several specific soft corals that release chemicals toxic to specific species of stony corals regardless to where they are positioned in a tank. IMO, "garden" varieties of reef tanks are recipes for some sort of unnecessary coral failure and should be limited to thoroughly researched and selected species, not a conglomerate of various corals.

[Travis]

I had heard that some softies and LPS corals release toxins that can harm stonies... Currently I have a 125g and mainly softies. I plan to start introducing stonies after the tank matures for a while. Is there a good resource for what corals are compatible with others?

Thanks you for your help,

[HoopsGuru]

With 125g of water volume and a good skimmer, you may be able to increase your chances for success.

I would recommend Eric Borneman's Aquarium Corals--Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History
http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/graphics/bookcoralsmed.JPG

and also Anthony Calfo's Book of Coral Propagation, Vol.1
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0971637105.01._PE_PI_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg.

Both are EXCELLENT resources for studying corals and coral allelopathy.

[Travis]

Thanks Hoops,

[michealprater]

It is possible in large tanks, it is more risky in smaller ones. As far as placement goes, remember LPS are the most aggressive of the three you mentioned.

[HoopsGuru]

remember LPS are the most aggressive of the three you mentioned.

This is true to the extent of physical aggression in regards to sweeper tentacles. However, this is not true as far as chemical aggression and toxicity. One cannot limit themselves to the obvious visual cues of aggression. Often, chemical aggression is much worse because the less toxic coral will tend to hold out and then degrade very rapidly.

[michealprater]

Thanks for the clarification Hoops! :D

[phistio]

again...it's my opinion that it can be done. however, could prove difficult in smaller tanks. in bigger tanks it's much easier to isolate colonies that have similar specific needs. opposing characteristics can be located say some 2 feet away...

the only reason i say this, is i've seen many a skilled reefer accomplish the task. the main thing is to realize that many LPS require plenty of room. as well, softies have been known to be somewhat of a concern as they rapidly reproduce, and can attach themselves in the most peculiar of places...

[HoopsGuru]

again...it's my opinion that it can be done. however, could prove difficult in smaller tanks. in bigger tanks it's much easier to isolate colonies that have similar specific needs. opposing characteristics can be located say some 2 feet away...

I agree 100%, but this drifts more into a focus on the needs of the individual colonies, but less of what the chemical consequences can be of mixing corals that do not occur naturally on the reef together.

A perfect example was in my own tank. I misidentified a leather coral and introduced it into my tank. Everything was fine for 6 months and then my frogspawn coral receded and died within three days (too soon for me frantically trying to figure out why). The offending coral did not get more toxic all of a sudden, but rather the Frogspawn defended itself until it could no longer. This was from approx. 3ft away in the tank. I also erroneously thought all the corals were getting along fine for 6 months. :wink:

My point is that it is potentially dangerous to do so, however, including the information that Phistio provided...there is other measures that can be taken if you have to have a mixed tank.
....use an efficient skimmer, you should be pulling out coffee colored nastiness
....choose wisely (there are plenty of non-toxic species), and limit the mixing to just a few colonies amongst a main theme
....use carbon to remove potential toxins and also perform water changes
....don't assume corals are getting along just because one isn't dead yet, we can't see the chemical wars