Biotope or Mixed

Does anyone know whether stocking a tank as a biotope offer more success than stocking corals from different areas of the world? I tend to have my freshwater tanks set up as biotopes because of specialized environmental and water requirements. Other than temperature, I'm wondering if the sea is all that different, especially if you stick to tropical areas.

Thanks,
Steve

 

It's not really as important to do a straight biotype in saltwater. Though species of corals have different requirments, it tends to have more to do with depth (light) and current (flow).

For instance. An all LPS or SPS tank will have faster more consistent growth of either than a mixed reef would. Because it's easier to tailor exactly to that corals needs. Whether the lps is from Indonesia or the red sea seems matter less. Than the depth and current type the coral is from.

 

Dead on. Origin of the coral doesn't seem to be nearly a simportant as the type of coral (softie, LPS SPS), though there are some odd-balls in there that don't like the usual requirements for their type of coral (i.e. - some sps actually like slower water movement, while generally sps should have medium to high flow).

 

Don't get too worried about it though. Different parts of your tank will have different conditions. Due to rock work and lighting spacing you will have higher light and lower light areas, as well as higher and lower flow areas. Many people have very successful mixed reefs. (Myself included )

 

That's interesting. Thanks for the replies. I'm planning a 70 cube, so I'm sure I'll have high flow and low flow areas. Lighting would be the determining factor. At 18 inches, light penetration will probably be pretty consistent. After the tank is set, I'll see what the conditions are. I'm trying to cater to SPS, so my options for LPS may be limited. That'll be ok with me. We'll see. Thanks for the replies!

Steve

 

What type of lighting are you planning?

While water depth is a huge factor in light penetration, sometimes there are spots that are sort of shaded that are still high enough par for corals and that's a factor too.

 

I'm think of going with a Lumatek 250w MH.

 

Well, there are a few lps that can acclimate to that kind of lighting! But there are quite a few you will likely cook to death too. I'm having that problem right now. I am cutting my photo period and intensity down as a result. With MH you can't really cut the intensity.

With that much light though, You will be able to accommodate some species in caves and under ledges. It's kind of cool. You will need to be creative with your rock work.