Leathers and SPS

[Cliff]

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately on corals trying to finalize what I would like to stock in our new reef tank. I’ve found a few stories (one even here), about leathers releasing toxins and wiping out other corals, specially SPS corals. That has me wondering about my current 90 gallon tank that I’m planning on turning into a SPS dominant reef. I’ve got 3 different types of leathers in that set-up with the SPS. I was planning to keep at least two of these leathers in this tank long-term. Even though I’m running carbon, is this a bad idea to have both leathers and SPS in the same tank?

I haven’t run into any problem yet, and I just want to make sure it stays that way. So far all the corals have been happy and growing. They are well spaced out so they should not feel the need to defend themselves.

From what I’ve read, I’ve come to understand SPS are far more sanative to water quality and there for, any toxins release by another coral could have a greater impact on SPS. As my new set-up is going to be a soft & LPS coral tank (mostly brains, plates, and zoas), would it be better to move all the leathers in that tank and have no leathers mixed with SPS?

Or, would the key to keeping all different types of corals together (leathers and SPS both) would be giving them enough space apart from one another.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I personally only have 1 soft coral in my 75 (plus one colony of Zoanthids) and I haven't had any problems yet. Generally the problems come when corals encroach on each others territory, or when you decide to frag the soft coral. Sufficient flow and carbon should be plenty to avoid issues when fragging, however you will want to make sure space is sufficient as that is when the problems really start.

[funkman262]

In this case I don't think simply keeping them separated will help because the toxins will spread throughout the tank. I believe the key to keeping a mixed reef is running plenty of carbon to remove the toxins before they become lethal.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I've always run mixed reefs, and I've never had any problems with toxins, and I don't run carbon. I've always given my corals plenty of space to grow and expand without encroachment from neighbors.

[Cliff]

Thanks Guys

I guess the key is to have everything properly spaced in the tank and run carbon as a back-up.

Looks like my orginal plan should work OK

Thanks again thumbs2:

[hockeyhead019]

Not to chime in after the question is answered but Cliff I'd just keep an eye on things lol I think you're original plan will be ok as long as the leathers in your 90 don't feel too threatened... if they do I think you might run into trouble since the SPS are so ultra sensitive... other than that I applaud you precautions lol

[Cliff]

Thanks Hockeyhead

[labnjab]

I would run carbon for sure. We lost 2 baseball sized sps colonies shortly after adding a large leather to the tank, and it was 4 feet away from the sps. We were not running carbon at the time but do now, even without leathers

[Cliff]

Thanks Labnjab

I'm currently running carbon in the tank so I will make sure I keep replacing it every few weeks

[labnjab]

I always forget to replace my carbon, lol. Luckily we don't have leathers but I still should be replacing it at least every 3 weeks, but it usually ends up being a month or more. At least we use a high quality carbon so it doesn't leach back anything

On another note regarding carbon, if you have tangs, make sure you rinse it. Carbon dust has been linked to HLLE in tangs

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[Cliff]

Thanks again Labnjab

I always make sure I rinse my carbon very well before placing it in the tank. Just like you, I try to use high quality carbon as well.