Optimal parameters for lps corals
Optimal parameters for lps corals
I've been thinking, having kept sps and lps in separate systems, I've heard that lps do better in water with slightly higher nutrient levels. But honestly, I'm not entirely sold on the idea that they can't both thrive in similar conditions. Has anyone else had experience with this?
Re: Optimal parameters for lps corals
In my experience, LPS and SPS can definitely coexist in the same aquarium, as they do on many reefs. Both types of corals create a calcium-based skeleton and can thrive in parameters found in natural seawater. However, you'll likely need to test for and add compounds like alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium to the water, and keep them stable. This will require periodic additions as the corals grow.
Regarding nutrients like phosphate and nitrates, small amounts are acceptable and even beneficial for both types of corals. However, excessive levels can inhibit skeletal growth. While some tanks do well with nearly zero levels of nitrate and phosphate, others can tolerate levels around 5 ppm and 0.02 ppm, respectively.
The real challenge with keeping SPS and LPS together is coral warfare. Certain LPS corals, such as bubble, favites, and chalices, have surprisingly long stinging tentacles and can be aggressive towards their neighbors. To avoid conflicts, careful placement and water flow are crucial. For those new to keeping corals, this is often the most difficult aspect to master in a mixed reef. While research can help you avoid obvious mistakes, trial and error are often necessary when it comes to placement.
Regarding nutrients like phosphate and nitrates, small amounts are acceptable and even beneficial for both types of corals. However, excessive levels can inhibit skeletal growth. While some tanks do well with nearly zero levels of nitrate and phosphate, others can tolerate levels around 5 ppm and 0.02 ppm, respectively.
The real challenge with keeping SPS and LPS together is coral warfare. Certain LPS corals, such as bubble, favites, and chalices, have surprisingly long stinging tentacles and can be aggressive towards their neighbors. To avoid conflicts, careful placement and water flow are crucial. For those new to keeping corals, this is often the most difficult aspect to master in a mixed reef. While research can help you avoid obvious mistakes, trial and error are often necessary when it comes to placement.
Re: Optimal parameters for lps corals
Lighting - I almost forgot. I've found it's not as simple as SPS needing super powerful light and LPS needing much less, like I read years ago. Some LPS do great with strong light, right next to a Montipora or Stylo. And some Acropora will grow just fine at the bottom of the tank. But many LPS species prefer slightly more subdued lighting intensity.
In my experience, some corals that do best in lower light include Trumpet and Candycane corals, Lord How acans, many Favia and Favite Brains, Chalices, Fungia, Plate and Scolymia corals, and more.
You can successfully integrate these corals in a mixed reef by experimenting. Light lovers like Acropora will naturally move towards the top 1/3 of the tank, while those that prefer lower light will find their way to the sand bed or lower down, even in partial shade. It's variable, with no fixed rules, as every tank is different, but general guidelines can be helpful.
Your LFS likely sells from frag tanks where corals are packed tightly together on a slab of egg crate, making it hard to customize placement, lighting, and flow for all the corals. That's why they separate them, to make keeping them alive easier. But it doesn't mean they can't coexist in a well-planned mixed reef.
In my experience, some corals that do best in lower light include Trumpet and Candycane corals, Lord How acans, many Favia and Favite Brains, Chalices, Fungia, Plate and Scolymia corals, and more.
You can successfully integrate these corals in a mixed reef by experimenting. Light lovers like Acropora will naturally move towards the top 1/3 of the tank, while those that prefer lower light will find their way to the sand bed or lower down, even in partial shade. It's variable, with no fixed rules, as every tank is different, but general guidelines can be helpful.
Your LFS likely sells from frag tanks where corals are packed tightly together on a slab of egg crate, making it hard to customize placement, lighting, and flow for all the corals. That's why they separate them, to make keeping them alive easier. But it doesn't mean they can't coexist in a well-planned mixed reef.