LPS dying in SPS tank

[jeremy K]

My 90g reef used to be LPS dominated, but over the past 9 months I have been adding more SPS and vodka dosing to achieve an ultra-low nutrient system. I also added more flow (2 vortech MP40s and 1 K4 in addition to my return pump). My SPS have, for the most part, reacted favorably. However, many of my LPS have died. I lost a large bubble coral, 2 favia brains, 1 lobo, and 1 cynarina. What might the cause of this be? Is it more likely the high flow, or more likely the vodka dosing? Has anyone else had this experience?

 

[curlykid]

i think it's actually a combination of both. Mine just did the same thing after a big maintenance job. The nitrates were at zero, so i started overfeeding as usual and they popped right back up. I think if they're not fed in a low-nutrient environment, they have no way for nutrients to enter their polyps.

 

[gasbatalla]

I know that the bubble coral doesn't like high flow areas. I don't know about the other LPS

 

[Rich D]

its probably a bit of both. In my experience LPS have always done best when they are overfed and in a high nutrient system. Many LPS also do poorly in very high flow.

 

[outy]

my LPS thrive in low nutrient water so I would think its something else alltogether.

high flow can irritate them though.

 

[dg3147]

I had the same problem when dosing vodka, my LPS crashed while SPS thrived. Intresting note though: my NO3 with vodka was 5-10 and once I switched to pellets, my NO3 went to zero and my LPS look like they are recovering.

I think there is something to vodka other than just driving NO3 to zero.