No, many differences exist between Gray's Reef hardbottom reefs and coral reefs. Gray's reefis a sandstone rock reef. Deposits of calcareous sandstone emerge from the sandy sea floor and provide a place for plants and animals to attach themselves. The corals which live at Gray's Reef are called soft corals because they are not surrounded by these skeletons. Other differences include temperature and light.
Corals also require high light levels for photosynthesis.
The waters at Gray's Reef vary in light penetration due to the variations in sediment and nutrient content which only some hard coral, like ivory bush, can tolerate. The waters just off the Georgia are sometimes clear and sometimes kind of murky or cloudy. Farther offhsore the amount of sediments from the rivers and land is reduced and the light penetrates deeper in the clearer oceanic waters. Gray's Reef is affectd by the coastal waters and visibility can be reduced to about 10 feet when currents are strong and bringing coastal waters over the reef. This can shift and offshore water from the Gulf Stream sometimes moves over the reef and visibility can increase to 60 feet.