Mixing Clams, LPS and NPS?

[tanglovers]

Hi All,

I am new and just starting to research the NPS coral tank idea. We are setting up a new tank in our living room that is/was going to be clam and LPS dominated. This is mostly because we can not keep these in our main SPS reef downstairs due to the numerous angels we have in there.

Seems like generally people do full NPS setups.

Can you mix LPS and clams with NPS? From what I have seen with the tank parameters most of you guys are keeping it should not be an issue but wanted to get some opinions.

We would be planning on starting on the easy side of NPS and progressing into the harder to keep NPS overtime (likely adding syringe pumps etc).

Any advice, suggestions would be great. LPS will be cynarina, chalice, fungias. Clams will be mostly maximas.

Thanks!

 

[The Reef Expert]

Nps = ?

 

[tanglovers]

I guess I should have said NPC, non-photosynthetic corals. Instead of NPS - Non-PhotoSynthetics.

 

[stunreefer]

I use both Scott

You know where I stand

 

[Aquabacs]

As for mixing LPS and clams with non-photosynthetic corals, it can be done. You need to be creative with the layout of the aquarium to make sure that everything receives the correct amount of lighting.

Now on to the other issues that may arrise from this type of set up. With the amount of feeding that can be required for a non-photosynthetic system; the intense lighting for the clams might not be your friend. You have to insure that you have a good system in place to help control the nutrients in the aquarium to avoid algae issues, high nitrates, and phosphates.

Mike

 

[tanglovers]

Thanks for the input. Well we will see how the system comes together but we are going to try it. One change we have made to it already is only doin a single 12" LED module. Planning on doing the clams and LPS in the center and the NPCs around the sides. We also started building the rock structures last night (using Marco Rock and epoxy) and have lots of overhangs and caves.

What are you guys generally using to control the nutrients? GFO for phosphates, water changes for nitrates? In addition to heavy / wet skimming?

 

[uhuru]

Sounds like a great plan! I've been considering something similar. For the lit part, some photosynthetic Stereonephthya would be sweet.

To control nutrients, water changes and heavy skimming works best for me. I don't use any GFO.

 

[Aquabacs]

+1 on the heavy skimming, doing tons of water changes and no GFO. Also use Fauna Marin's Ultralith system.

Mike

 

[Western_reefer]

Just curious, why don't you guys use GFO?

 

[slapshot]

NPS = Non-Photosynthetic Species. They are not all corals so it is a more correct term when you are talking about more than corals.

 

[bunzaroo]

This is my NPS, LPS Clam set-up, I am running 4 Ice-cap t5's, I target feed the LPS once a week and 3 times a week for the NPS. One thing I do recommend if possible avoid any cleaner shrimps they are thiefs, I have to offer mine a big piece of shrimp to keep them away dueinf feeding time LOL!!!

 

[stunreefer]

NPS = Non-Photosynthetic Species. They are not all corals so it is a more correct term when you are talking about more than corals.

So true! I like that Acronym Same for "soft coral", not coral, so should be called SS for "soft species".

Moses, I don't use GFO as my PO4 stays in check with the water changes I do. With that said, most of us NPS keepers keep all NPS, which aren't incredibly fast calcifiers, therefore a higher PO4 level that would normally inhibit calcification is moot.

 

[GoingPostal]

I'd say it depends on what kind of NPS, ones that can be spot fed wouldn't be an issue at all but ones that need a constant food supply would take more of an effort, if you can keep up on water quality it would probably work. I'd worry about flow, a lot of lps won't like the flow that non photo species will need. I have lps, a clam and non-photo lps all in a nano tank that is maintained solely on water changes and non photo corals are spot fed 4-5 days a week.