SPS vs. Leather? Huh?

kernyboy · 11/25/2008, 01:59 PM

I have a mixed reef tank with a bunch of polyps, an a few pieces of leather coral. I recently started adding more SPS coral. I've noticed my leather corals not extending their polyps. Are they fighting? Any advice? Can one not have leather and SPS together in one tank?

I read on the SPS board about this...and my leathers and SPS have room between each other...none are touching. I have a 30 gallon tank and all my water params are on point. What gives?

Rae C. · 11/25/2008, 03:26 PM

SOmetimes leathers just rest for a couple days. How long have they been on strike?

I've got a macropora and two large leathers, neither one bothers the other, 2+ years.

greggnyce · 11/25/2008, 03:31 PM

If you are worried about chemical warfare, run some carbon it will take the toxins out.

kernyboy · 11/25/2008, 03:36 PM

how long should i run carbon for? a couple hours? couple days?

lvpd186 · 11/25/2008, 03:38 PM

I have a mixed reef tank, with both sps and leathers. I run carbon 24/7 and it seems to keep any of the chemical warfare under control.

crvz · 11/25/2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kernyboy
how long should i run carbon for? a couple hours? couple days?

Carbon can be run (better in a small reactor, such as a phosban) 24/7, but it's effectiveness is limited to about a week or two at most. I'd swap it out twice a month if you're planning on using it for the reasons above.

E.intheC · 11/25/2008, 09:45 PM

When you mentioned the distance, it is mostly for corals that have sweeper tentacles that can sting.. (like my beloved frogspawn). I would add carbon and Polyfilter to help with the chemical warfare which will happen. Softies are typically pretty noxious

tmz · 11/25/2008, 11:26 PM

Leather corals give off alelopathic metabolites which are toxic to other corals particualrly sps. This is worse if they are very close to one another. Carbon will remove many of these if used 24/7 and changed at least every 3 weeks.

11/25/2008, 01:59 PM	#1
kernyboy Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MA Posts: 470	SPS vs. Leather? Huh? I have a mixed reef tank with a bunch of polyps, an a few pieces of leather coral. I recently started adding more SPS coral. I've noticed my leather corals not extending their polyps. Are they fighting? Any advice? Can one not have leather and SPS together in one tank? I read on the SPS board about this...and my leathers and SPS have room between each other...none are touching. I have a 30 gallon tank and all my water params are on point. What gives?

11/25/2008, 03:26 PM	#2
Rae C. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 916	SOmetimes leathers just rest for a couple days. How long have they been on strike? I've got a macropora and two large leathers, neither one bothers the other, 2+ years. __________________ Rae C It's 8:30, kids. Turn off the tank and go to bed! Current Tank Info: 65 gal, softies, 1 mandarine, 1 clown

11/25/2008, 03:31 PM	#3
greggnyce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellport, New York Posts: 1,782	If you are worried about chemical warfare, run some carbon it will take the toxins out. __________________ What you talkin about Mrs Lime. Current Tank Info: 120 gl oceanic tech, 30 gallon fuge, 40 gallon sump, Itech 200 skimmer, LED Lighting . Mixed reef.

11/25/2008, 03:38 PM	#5
lvpd186 Reefing in NE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 1,485	I have a mixed reef tank, with both sps and leathers. I run carbon 24/7 and it seems to keep any of the chemical warfare under control. __________________ "A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice." Bill Cosby

11/25/2008, 09:45 PM	#7
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	When you mentioned the distance, it is mostly for corals that have sweeper tentacles that can sting.. (like my beloved frogspawn). I would add carbon and Polyfilter to help with the chemical warfare which will happen. Softies are typically pretty noxious __________________ -Eric

11/25/2008, 03:36 PM	#4
kernyboy Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MA Posts: 470	how long should i run carbon for? a couple hours? couple days?

11/25/2008, 11:26 PM	#8
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	Leather corals give off alelopathic metabolites which are toxic to other corals particualrly sps. This is worse if they are very close to one another. Carbon will remove many of these if used 24/7 and changed at least every 3 weeks. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.