Soft coral toxins in a mixed reef...

lvreefer · 03/03/2006, 10:27 AM

IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m putting together a mixed reef and want to know what soft corals produce the largest amount of toxins. I already have colt corals and xenia on my list from personal experience. Also let me clarify by saying due to the growth characteristics of soft coral (under halide) there will be a potential for fragmenting to take place. With that said, I am more concerned about the day to day release of toxins by a healthy specimen. My practice in the past has been to put the higher toxin soft corals Ã¢â‚¬Å“downstreamÃ¢â‚¬Â from the other inhabitants. But with the new water circulating devices this is becoming more and more difficult. I would rather not deal with the hassle and keep out the worst offenderÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s altogether. Thanks for your feed back.

Anemonebuff · 03/03/2006, 10:47 AM

Use GAC to remove the toxins.

Obi-dad · 03/03/2006, 10:51 AM

I think I read in Borneman's coral book that Sinularia species are one of the more toxic corals. If you haven't read that book, it is a good resource.

DJ88© · 03/03/2006, 10:53 AM

Even then it may not help. If the soft coral is within close proximity and upstream, as far as tank current patterns go, you won't be able to stop it.

My yellow leather has taken out an SPS frag that had grown downstream of it. And another a little further is showing signs of stress and minimal growth.

Even with using carbon you aren't going to remove it all. Esp since the carbon is in the sump not in the main tank.

The best solution is to design the tank carefully. Think about flow patterns and try to minimize proximity as much as possible. If you are concerned. Don't put it(the soft coral) in with your SPS or other toxin sensitive corals.

MIKE NY · 03/03/2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

If the soft coral is within close proximity and upstream, as far as tank current patterns go, you won't be able to stop it.

totally agree.......I have a few leathers in my tank and they are placed "upstream" from any SPS colony in corners...I also run two cups of carbon in a reactor 24/7 changed every thirty days. Most of my SPS are just fine with growth and coloration, but there are a few frags that have done nothing in over a year.

iamdickie · 03/03/2006, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DJ88
Even then it may not help. If the soft coral is within close proximity and upstream, as far as tank current patterns go, you won't be able to stop it.

My yellow leather has taken out an SPS frag that had grown downstream of it. And another a little further is showing signs of stress and minimal growth.

Even with using carbon you aren't going to remove it all. Esp since the carbon is in the sump not in the main tank.

The best solution is to design the tank carefully. Think about flow patterns and try to minimize proximity as much as possible. If you are concerned. Don't put it(the soft coral) in with your SPS or other toxin sensitive corals.

What about lps, anyone chime in on that?

Serioussnaps · 03/03/2006, 05:21 PM

You need to get some literature on this subject. You wont learn all you need to know from here. Also, and overrated skimmer that will skim the ever living sh#% out of your tank really helps curb the allepothay, or toxic excretions of stinging celled organisms(wrong spelling).

AcroSteve · 03/04/2006, 09:37 AM

How do you figure up stream or downstream if your flow is very random and high?

I have 3 leathers, sinularia and xenia in my mixed reeef wil pretty good results. I do not run carbon, but I constantly think I should. I skim pretty wet, so that may help.

I have experienced some problems with sps corals in the area of the softies, but nothing I can positively relate to the softies.

03/03/2006, 10:27 AM	#1
lvreefer Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,163	Soft coral toxins in a mixed reef... IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m putting together a mixed reef and want to know what soft corals produce the largest amount of toxins. I already have colt corals and xenia on my list from personal experience. Also let me clarify by saying due to the growth characteristics of soft coral (under halide) there will be a potential for fragmenting to take place. With that said, I am more concerned about the day to day release of toxins by a healthy specimen. My practice in the past has been to put the higher toxin soft corals Ã¢â‚¬Å“downstreamÃ¢â‚¬Â from the other inhabitants. But with the new water circulating devices this is becoming more and more difficult. I would rather not deal with the hassle and keep out the worst offenderÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s altogether. Thanks for your feed back.

03/03/2006, 10:51 AM	#3
Obi-dad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: CT Posts: 4,314	I think I read in Borneman's coral book that Sinularia species are one of the more toxic corals. If you haven't read that book, it is a good resource. __________________ Greg, member of ARKSC and CTARS Visit our CTARS club website by clicking my RC name then 'visit homepage' - and please support your LFS Current Tank Info: 75g mostly stonies. DIY LEDs (24 CW XP-G, 48 RB XR-E) on dwizum CAT4101 drivers, DIY Hydra controller, SSB, Korallin Ca Reactor, Euroreef skimmer

03/03/2006, 10:53 AM	#4
DJ88© Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: BC. Canada. Posts: 14,351	Even then it may not help. If the soft coral is within close proximity and upstream, as far as tank current patterns go, you won't be able to stop it. My yellow leather has taken out an SPS frag that had grown downstream of it. And another a little further is showing signs of stress and minimal growth. Even with using carbon you aren't going to remove it all. Esp since the carbon is in the sump not in the main tank. The best solution is to design the tank carefully. Think about flow patterns and try to minimize proximity as much as possible. If you are concerned. Don't put it(the soft coral) in with your SPS or other toxin sensitive corals. __________________ Darren Beauty fades.... Stupid is forever...... Current Tank Info: 34 Gal Solana with some lights.. and pumps that make water move. And fish...

03/04/2006, 09:37 AM	#8
AcroSteve Make my Funk a P-Funk Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Electric Avenue Posts: 5,092	How do you figure up stream or downstream if your flow is very random and high? I have 3 leathers, sinularia and xenia in my mixed reeef wil pretty good results. I do not run carbon, but I constantly think I should. I skim pretty wet, so that may help. I have experienced some problems with sps corals in the area of the softies, but nothing I can positively relate to the softies. __________________ **************** "Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em." -- The Webb Wilder Credo -- don't go ninjin' nobody that don't need ninjin'! Current Tank Info: 220g custom plywood. SPS heavy with Sequence Hammerhead return with 4-Way OM. Tunze 6100, 6200 and Wavebox. 5000btu DIY Chiller. Lighting is 10K mh 250W / VHO Actinic Skimer - H&S A200-2x1260

03/03/2006, 10:47 AM	#2
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	Use GAC to remove the toxins.

03/03/2006, 05:21 PM	#7
Serioussnaps Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,703	You need to get some literature on this subject. You wont learn all you need to know from here. Also, and overrated skimmer that will skim the ever living sh#% out of your tank really helps curb the allepothay, or toxic excretions of stinging celled organisms(wrong spelling).