Are Zoanthids safe with SPS?

LPS, SPS and all coral chat
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seafrog
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 8:13 pm

Are Zoanthids safe with SPS?

Post by seafrog »

I've got a mixed reef with SPS and Zoanthids, but I'm worried the Zoas might mess with the SPS. Anyone have experience with this combo? My tank's a 75-gallon with Radion lights, 1.026 salinity, and weekly 10% water changes.
lynxfur
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 5:08 pm

Re: Are Zoanthids safe with SPS?

Post by lynxfur »

Yep, I've run Zoas and SPS together for years. As long as the Zoas aren't touching the SPS, it's usually chill. My Acros grow fine next to a Zoa garden, but I keep 'em spaced out. Tank's a 120-gallon with T5 hybrid lighting, 0 phosphate, and monthly trimmings.
Birdie
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:23 pm

Re: Are Zoanthids safe with SPS?

Post by Birdie »

seafrog wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 9:05 am I've got a mixed reef with SPS and Zoanthids, but I'm worried the Zoas might mess with the SPS. Anyone have experience with this combo? My tank's a 75-gallon with Radion lights, 1.026 salinity, and weekly 10% water changes.
It depends on the Zoa species. Some, like Rastas, are pretty tame, but others can get aggressive. What's your alk sitting at? High alk can make SPS more sensitive to allelopathy.
herbior
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 2:00 pm

Re: Are Zoanthids safe with SPS?

Post by herbior »

I've seen Zoas sting SPS when they're too close. Lost a nice Monti cap that way. Now I keep them on opposite sides of the tank. Running a 60-gallon cube with AI Prime, 8 dKH, and bi-weekly water changes. Maybe try a frag rack to test the waters?
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oceanlover
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:15 pm

Re: Are Zoanthids safe with SPS?

Post by oceanlover »

My Zoas and SPS have been fine together, but I dose amino acids to keep everyone happy. Tank's a 40-gallon breeder with Kessil A360X, 0.03 nitrate, and daily feeding. Maybe it's the extra nutrients that help?
vortex
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 5:44 pm

Re: Are Zoanthids safe with SPS?

Post by vortex »

Some Zoas pack a punch. I'd avoid putting them near sensitive SPS like Millis. My tank's a 90-gallon with Orphek bars, 7.8 pH, and carbon dosing. Maybe run carbon if you're worried about chemical warfare?
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zeno4
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Joined: Thu May 09, 2024 11:37 pm

Re: Are Zoanthids safe with SPS?

Post by zeno4 »

Birdie wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 11:33 am
seafrog wrote: Tue May 27, 2025 9:05 am I've got a mixed reef with SPS and Zoanthids, but I'm worried the Zoas might mess with the SPS. Anyone have experience with this combo? My tank's a 75-gallon with Radion lights, 1.026 salinity, and weekly 10% water changes.
It depends on the Zoa species. Some, like Rastas, are pretty tame, but others can get aggressive. What's your alk sitting at? High alk can make SPS more sensitive to allelopathy.
Agreed. Alk stability is huge. I keep mine at 8.5 dKH, and my Zoas and SPS coexist fine. 180-gallon with Ecotech pumps, 0.02 phosphate, and auto water changes.
seafrog
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 8:13 pm

Re: Are Zoanthids safe with SPS?

Post by seafrog »

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try moving the Zoas to the sandbed and keep an eye on my alk. Appreciate the help!
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