difference between reef safe and coral safe

[pjlovesbaskets]

I am looking at adding to my tank and the research I find says reef safe and coral safe. What is the difference?

I have had my salt water tank for about 5 months and want to upgrade the lights so I can add more options. I only have live rock now.

 

[m0nk]

Reef safe typically means invert safe, which is typically referring to snails, crabs, shrimp, etc.

 

[chilwil84]

sometimes used interchangeably by some some go by the way monk say it and others use coral safe for fish like groupers and hamlets that will swallow what fits in its mouth but dont directly harm coral (their copious amounts of waste can)

 

[anonome]

A good scenario is the hawk fish, called reef safe.....won't hurt corals, but will eat inverts....shrimp, snails, etc.
When searching for a fish for reef tanks you have to look at what it eats in the wild.

 

[pjlovesbaskets]

I have an invert and fish tank. So I have a reef tank? I want to add some coral but need to update my lights first. When searching to see if my stock will be okay with adding coral I found reef safe and coral safe. I have been following invert safe so my inverts don't get hurt or eaten.
I had one person tell me my stock was not okay for corals and then another one who said if I kept my tangs well fed I would be fine with corals. She worked at the zoo with the fish so I trusted her opinion more. The other gal has given me bad advice before.
Just trying to do some research but confused on terminology.

 

[anonome]

You have the start of a reef tank.....minus corals.
Or invert tank with fish. Most reef tanks mean that you have live rock, coral, with shrimp, crabs, snails and peaceful fish. Everyone gets along.

 

[pjlovesbaskets]

Thank you! This is what I wanted to hear!

I am now saving my pennies (or should I say large bills) for lights. Going with the orbit quality on this one! I just have lights that came with the tank now but I learned to go big with this hobby or I will be upgrading in a couple of months.

 

[sk8shorty01]

What is your stock list just out of curiousity. Considering you have two different opinions on whether you can add corals or not, maybe we could help you out and give you a few more.
Reef safe = safe for all inverts (corals, shrimp, snails, crabs)
Coral safe = safe for coral (but could eat shrimp, crabs, stars)

 

[anonome]

Glad I could help, but like the previous poster said what is your "wish list" for your tank once your lights come in. Your lights will definately determine what can be put in there as far as a reef tank. (corals, clams etc.)

 

[pjlovesbaskets]

There is another post on here asking what I should add. I got a response of not much. I think I am at capacity for fish and inverts. I was going by the 1 inch rule for freshwater. I guess it is different for salt. Here is my stock list. This is what I currently have. The inches beside is max. size. I think they are wrong. I know to watch star fish and black urchin. I feed them well and they have left my mushroom and yellow polyps along so far. I have two pieces only. I was told I could go with them with moderate lights.
2 YELLOW TANGS 5 in. each
1 BLUE HIPPO TANG 6 in.
3 CLOWN FISH 2 in. each
1 CHOCOLATE STAR FISH 3 in.
1 NIGHT WATCHMAN GOBY 3 in.
1 YELLOW GOBY 2 in.
1 BLACK URCHIN 3 in.
SNAILS
1 JAW FISH 3 in.
STRIPPED WRASSE 2 in.
1 PURPLE AND YELLOW GRAMMA 2 in.
PURPLE LOBSTER 2 in.
1 CLEANER SHRIMP 2 in.
Thanks for your help.
BTW: I am going with the Orbit MH lights.