[Samper]

Who here thinks that as hobbyists we are doing a good thing by mixing species of corals from different regions together and who here thinks that we should try to maintain region specific systems? Please support your theory.

[saltjunkie]

i voted mixed systems, purely on my lack of education otherwise.

[Samper]

There are corals which are known as Chimeras. This is a genetic larval infusion that creates hybrids...
I know that in nature some of these exist but in home aquaria some have been found or made..
This could have positive or negative effects on the way the coral lives. Nature in itself is perfect and I'm not sure that mixing species from different regions is a totally good idea.

[Reefland]

I voted for a mixed system, simply because region specific tanks are out of reach at this point. When we go shopping for new additions to our tank, there is no way of knowing where the corals come from. The same holds true for captive raised frags. A mixed reef is probably not the best idea due to competition, however at this point in the hobby, we don't have a choice.

[Samper]

That's basically the same thing Mr. Borneman said also.

[Reefland]

I don't want my vote to be misunderstood in this. The region specific reef would be most desireable if possible. What is possible and should be done is the type of reef that we set up should be specific to the type of coral we want to grow. Obviously is we are interested in Acropora and other stony corals, we should do our best to set up our cative reef to match the conditions of a reef flat. As where if we are interested in the brain corals and other LPS corals, we should work to simulate a lagoonal enviroment.

Sometimes this is overlooked, but is well within our reach to simulate and should be considered for any new captive reef.

[Samper]

The reason I'm asking is because my 75 WILL be as close to region specific as I can get it.

[Reefland]

Again, the challenge you will face will be the selection of corals. There is no way to determine at this time what region, depth, lighting conditions, etc. that a particular coral has come from.

[Samper]

Are many hobbyists working to log certain species, where they came from, who has them etc?

[Reefland]

Some of the frag farmers try to keep track of where they ship frags too but thats about it. We'll never see it until collectors and importers are required to document collection points and send those details out with the corals.

[Samper]

Are you in favor of the more strict regulations that are for sure coming our way?

[Reefland]

I'm in favor of the strict regulations on import, and hold an even stronger opinion on captive propagation. Is it possible that some of the desired species become restricted from import? Sure they will but will that force us as hobbyist to improve our husbandry and captive rearing techniques for the better? Absolutely!