Blue Clove Polyps Zoanthids Soft Coral

[soulsigma]

Greetings my fellow hobbyist

, I am new to the hobby and I have a 75g tank which has been up for 3 months, while I did a year’s worth of research, reading and studying up on the marine hobby, I can honestly say that the true experience only comes once you have taken the plunge into the hobby that’s when the true lesson on marine keeping begins e. Even when you follow all the rules to a T something will and always does come up to put your reseacharch and planning to a test. LOL it’s all good because that’s where the good people on this form come into play by providing their knowledge, skills and abilities to assist there fellow hobbyist with the issue at hand they are dealing with.
Anywhoo I have finished researching and studying the various types of corals and beginning in May I plan to take the plunge and purchase my first coral to add some color to my tank and make the fish feel more at home. My question to you guys and gals is all polyps’ spreaders? Meaning that even though you place them in your tank in the proper position, allowing them 8inches around to stretch and feed without sting other corals, would they still spread onto other vacant rocks around them even if this means chocking out other corals ? My first purchase will be the blue clove polyps’ zoanthids or the metallic blue clove polyps.
I have the lighting system to support any type of coral I choose I am working with the 48” metal halide system with a total output of 760w, System support: 2x250w DE HQI, 4x65w compact fluorescent, and 6x dual blue moon led. I went with this system to avoid having to upgrade down the road

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[lil.guppy]

Clove and zoanthids wont hurt your other corals. Unless taking over is considered hurting

Clove usually will grow faster then the zoos. At least that is what I have noticed.
Zoos can detach and float into another area in your tank. I have found my eagle eye zoos everywhere in my tank starting new colonies. I wish my other zoos would do that.

If you get any kind of coral that "hurts" other corals the zoos and cloves will still grow where they want. I have zoos next to my hammer and neon torch coral and they are doing just fine.
Welcome to the hobby!

 

[soulsigma]

OK from what I have gathered from my research, along with the valuable info from lil.guppy have give me it safe to say that although the coral I am interested in purchasing first and(all polyps type corals) does not have a stinging cabability, its encrusting growth pattern can lead to rapid encourchment on its neighbors right? But it can be pruned with scissors if starts to get out of hand Correct?

 

[efrank]

yes. Fast does not mean over night remember. You will have plenty of time to figure out what to do if something starts spreading where you don't want it.

 

[soulsigma]

Originally Posted by Efrank
http:///forum/post/3009596
yes. Fast does not mean over night remember. You will have plenty of time to figure out what to do if something starts spreading where you don't want it.
Thanks for the help, it seems that polyps may not be the way to go or should I say soft corals so I will look into the hard corals.

they maybe high maintenance but they do not overwhelm you tank.

 

[lil.guppy]

You will still have plenty of time before they "take over" In my opinion a reef tank with coral that has taken over with many different kinds of polyps looks natural like its supposed to do. Unless you have xenia going psycho in your tank

You can always use a hobby knife and just cut the pieces off that you dont want and give them away or find a home for them

 

[fldiver]

Good Lord I hope you didn't get the Blue Cloves! They choke out other sps and will cover everything in a matter of 6 months if your water and lighting is good. You will see no coraline...bottom...colonies...all covered by Blue Cloves! Trust me, I have a 120 gal and it's covered all the rocks and killing other polyps that are left.