Reef Safe?

[susieq]

I'm a little confused about the term reef safe. Does that mean the animal won't bother corals only? or that inverts are safe? I have a clown, lawnmower blenny, royal gramma, pencil urchin, purple urchin, peppermint shrimp and scarlet crabs. Does this qualify as FOWLR? (I have live rock)

 

[razoreqx]

Originally Posted by susieq
I'm a little confused about the term reef safe. Does that mean the animal won't bother corals only? or that inverts are safe? I have a clown, lawnmower blenny, royal gramma, pencil urchin, purple urchin, peppermint shrimp and scarlet crabs. Does this qualify as FOWLR? (I have live rock)
That looks like a two part question so i'll answer in two parts.
1. You have a FOWLR (I dont see corals in your list).
2. Reef safe means the species wont eat corals.

 

[susieq]

Thanks. I thought I couldn't have some fish because they would eat my shrimp.

 

[uberlink]

Originally Posted by susieq
I'm a little confused about the term reef safe. Does that mean the animal won't bother corals only? or that inverts are safe? I have a clown, lawnmower blenny, royal gramma, pencil urchin, purple urchin, peppermint shrimp and scarlet crabs. Does this qualify as FOWLR? (I have live rock)
I'm not sure I'd call that a "fish only" (FOWLR), myself. I think anytime you start getting lots of inverts in there (beyond a basic cleanup crew), you're moving away from "fish only" and in the general direction of "reef," even if the lack of corals keeps it from being a true reef. Somewhere in the middle, let's say. The key distinction to me is the relative sensitivity of inverts versus fish to changes in water parameters, etc. Just my opinion, though...

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by susieq
Thanks. I thought I couldn't have some fish because they would eat my shrimp.
Some fish WILL eat your shrimp, so research on the fish before you purchase!!! For an example, a trigger fish will eat your shrimp! :happyfish

 

[ams153]

what direction are you planning to head in.. reef? or just stick with FOWLR? those urchins will eat the coraline algae off the rocks.. which is the colorfull stuff.. some ppl like to have that color around others dont. just thought id let you know!