Originally posted by Salty Jeff
I'm not keeping anything else but I want to keep and grow some SPS frags. Yes I will keep running my actinics. Thanks for the light tips.
With the kinds of corals you're keeping, it may not be the best idea.
Originally posted by James A. Fox
Can I mix SPS with soft corals?
Certain soft corals (especially Discosoma and Actinodiscus) pack quite a punch (toxicity) and can easily overwhelm many (if not most) stony coral either through chemical warfare or direct physical contact. As an example, several leather coral (Sinularia spp. and Sarcophyton spp.) are believed to release chemical compounds (growth inhibitors?), which can affect surrounding coral (in particular certain Acropora spp. and Porites spp.) negatively._ Quoting from Aquarium Corals by Eric Borneman under the topic Husbandry Considerations (page 112), "The obvious zonations that occur in the wild should be carefully considered, and it is in the coral keeper's interest to have soft corals and hard corals minimally intermixed, if at all."_ If one takes the proper precautions it can be done, but I don't recommend it.
Now, Mushrooms are easily able to multiply into mass numbers and easily take over a "forest of corals." They're also able to detach from whatever their attached to and drift around the tank. That's a perfect chance for the mushroom to land right on one of your SPS frags. Side by side mushrooms will almost always win.
I would be extremely cautious if you do decide to mix corals. You should be aware that these corals are not found together on the reefs, and may not be acustomed to "smells" given off by neighboring corals. In such a small tank, there's very little room to prevent any chemical or physical warfare.
Take Care,
Graham
