Difference between SPS and LPS

[J3838]

Hey.. sorry to be so clueless but im looking to start a reef tank... ive done sw for some time now but all my tanks have been lacking without corals. I was wondering the difference between LPS and SPS in terms of care, light, etc? I like the look of LPS better but I am curious how the care of both differ? Any links or info would be awesome.... thanks eeveryone!!!

J3838

 

[Kent E]

They are all different, but in general sps (stick-like corals) require more light and much more flow.

 

[Amphiprion]

Differences in terms of what? Some sps are actually more closely related to lps corals than other sps. That is why as far as relatedness goes, it is not a good term to use. As far as care goes, I suppose you could say that they are roughly the same between "sps" type corals, but that is definitely a generalization.

 

[seatom]

Hi J3838,

for example :

SPS-Corals :

LPS-Corals :

 

[MCsaxmaster]

Very glad to see responses like amphiprion's Read my article "Renaming our corals" in RK this month if you can. There is no difference between and "lps" and an "sps" coral really. What is an lps to some is sps to others and vice versa. This classification makes no sense whatsoever. Polyp size also has nothing, I'll repeat, NOTHING to do with care either. Some coral with very large polyps needs lots of light or little light, lots of flow, little flow, lots of food, little food, are very aggressive, are very peaceful, etc. The same for sps corals. The idea that the two are different is a very nasty misconception that will lead you to a lot of problems with your corals.

Instead, learn about the individual coral you're interested in (genus).

Best,

cj

 

[JmLee]

ive never really heard of a aggressive SPS coral.

 

[reefgeek84]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7073405#post7073405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MCsaxmaster
Very glad to see responses like amphiprion's Read my article "Renaming our corals" in RK this month if you can. There is no difference between and "lps" and an "sps" coral really. What is an lps to some is sps to others and vice versa. This classification makes no sense whatsoever. Polyp size also has nothing, I'll repeat, NOTHING to do with care either. Some coral with very large polyps needs lots of light or little light, lots of flow, little flow, lots of food, little food, are very aggressive, are very peaceful, etc. The same for sps corals. The idea that the two are different is a very nasty misconception that will lead you to a lot of problems with your corals.

Instead, learn about the individual coral you're interested in (genus).

Best,

cj

very well said... it is a bad term that has taken over the industry...Thus we have to forums, named after this incorrect term (do not jump on my back I am not dissing anything, I understand the reason for it).

 

[MiddletonMark]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7076537#post7076537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JmLee
ive never really heard of a aggressive SPS coral.

Hydnophora many would call `sps' and it's VERY aggressive. Pavona, others send sweepers as well ...

Almost a perfect demonstration of Chris' point about generalizations

 

[J3838]

thanks for all your great help...

 

[J3838]

and very nice pictures and corals seatom!!!

 

[MCsaxmaster]

:thumbsup:

Yeah, I would say that Hydnophora is a classic example of a very, very aggressive coral. Few corals can be that territorial, regardless of polyp size.

cj