kevensquint
Active member
Just wondering as a LFS has sps and LPs in separate systems saying LPS prefers water a little higher in nutrients. Not actually convinced that sps and lps wouldn't both thrive under similar conditions. Experiences ?
ldeal params for LPS please
- Thread starter kevensquint
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Reef Frog
New member
LPS & SPS can most definately thrive in the same aquarium. They grow alongside one another on many reefs and both create a calcium based skeleton. Both will thrive with parameters found in natural seawater on the reef, but you will probably need to test for and add these compounds (alkalinity, calcium, magnesium) to the water eventually and keep them stable. And you typically must add more over time as the corals grow out.
As for nutrients like phosphate & nitrates, small amounts are OK and even desirable for both categories. But not enough to promote excessive pest algae species. Very high concentrations of these nutrients over long periods of time can inhibit skeletal growth. Some tanks do well with almost or near zero levels of nit/phos. But levels of ~5ppm/<.02 work better for some, and others can get by with even higher levels.
The main issue with SPS - LPS compatibility is coral warfare. Some LPS corals like bubble, favites & chalices have surprisingly long stinging tentacles and are keen on destroying their neighbors if they can. So attention must be paid to placement & water flow. For a person new to corals, this is the hardest aspect to work out in a mixed reef. You can read up on the topic and avoid obvious mistakes, but almost everyone who keeps stinging corals has to learn at least some of it by trial & error when it comes to placement.
As for nutrients like phosphate & nitrates, small amounts are OK and even desirable for both categories. But not enough to promote excessive pest algae species. Very high concentrations of these nutrients over long periods of time can inhibit skeletal growth. Some tanks do well with almost or near zero levels of nit/phos. But levels of ~5ppm/<.02 work better for some, and others can get by with even higher levels.
The main issue with SPS - LPS compatibility is coral warfare. Some LPS corals like bubble, favites & chalices have surprisingly long stinging tentacles and are keen on destroying their neighbors if they can. So attention must be paid to placement & water flow. For a person new to corals, this is the hardest aspect to work out in a mixed reef. You can read up on the topic and avoid obvious mistakes, but almost everyone who keeps stinging corals has to learn at least some of it by trial & error when it comes to placement.
Reef Frog
New member
Oh I forgot to include lighting. Contrary to what I read years ago (SPS need super powerful light, LPS need much less), I find that topic much more complex. Some LPS do very well with strong light right alongside a Montipora or stylo. And some acropia will grow at the bottom of the tank. But many LPS species do best in slightly more subdued lighting intensity. In my experience these include:
- Trumpet/Candycane. -Lord How. acans. - Many Favia/Favite Brains. -Many Chalices - Fungia/Plate & Scolymia corals and more.
These corals can be integrated in a mixed reef successfully by experimentation. Light lovers like acropia will eventually find their way into higher light in the top 1/3 of the tank and those who do better in lower light will find their way to the sand bed (Fungia) while others will do their best lower down, even in partial shade. It's variable with no fixed rules as every tank is different but general guidelines are helpful.
Your LFS like many others probably sells from frag tanks where corals are packed tightly together at one level on a slab of egg crate. It's hard to customize placement, lighting intensity and flow to suit the entire spectrum of corals available in one tank so they seperate them to make keeping them alive easier. It doesn't mean they can't coexist in mixed reef in a well planned display tank.
- Trumpet/Candycane. -Lord How. acans. - Many Favia/Favite Brains. -Many Chalices - Fungia/Plate & Scolymia corals and more.
These corals can be integrated in a mixed reef successfully by experimentation. Light lovers like acropia will eventually find their way into higher light in the top 1/3 of the tank and those who do better in lower light will find their way to the sand bed (Fungia) while others will do their best lower down, even in partial shade. It's variable with no fixed rules as every tank is different but general guidelines are helpful.
Your LFS like many others probably sells from frag tanks where corals are packed tightly together at one level on a slab of egg crate. It's hard to customize placement, lighting intensity and flow to suit the entire spectrum of corals available in one tank so they seperate them to make keeping them alive easier. It doesn't mean they can't coexist in mixed reef in a well planned display tank.
