SPS and LPS system. How ?

[Luiz Seadorf]

I want a reef with fishes, SPS, LPS and softies. Is it possible ? Tell your experience on how a system like this could work.

 

[amike5]

Yes, it can work. They aren't found together in nature, but I have one and do nothing special. Though many say that running carbon all the time is necessary because of chemical warfare.

 

[plyle02]

amike5 is correct, also coral placement will be key. Place the sps in the top part of the reef far away from lps tentacles. Also, sps need lots of flow and it's hard to make both types of corals really happy in terms of the correct flow. 4200 probably on the low side for a 95 gallon tank at least for sps, I would get some streams from Hydor or Tunze for supplemental flow.....JMO...
Good luck!

 

[ERICinFL]

I have all my LPS on the far sides of my tank. My SPS are closer to the middle where the flow is higher.

 

[HBtank]

You will probably find yourself slowly removing certain LPS and have your tank dominated by SPS.

I have a mixed tank, but LPS are slowly dwindling to a few colonies that tolerate flow well. I still have MANY zoas, GSP and some shrooms though..

Flow has been the real issue, they are just not happy with the flow I found my SPS like.

 

[awestruck]

I agree with the above comments, with the exception that I LOVE LPS corals--they are, by far, my favorite. Running carbon 24/7 is a very good idea--almost necessary. Keep the sps up high in lots of flow; keep the lps away from the aforementioned as well as not too close to one another because as you know they will sting and fight quite a lot. Regarding softies, I have 2 gorgonians, a christmas rock, and some shrooms. Everyone is doing well; just make sure each coral gets its needs met and doesn't get stung.

 

[Luiz Seadorf]

Thanks. I will run carbon 24/7 good idea. I'm planning put LPS at left side and SPS at right side. T5 for LPS and MH for SPS . Pump streams for SPS. Ok ?

What about the nitrate levels ? LPS likes some nitrate but not SPS. Do you think dosing amino acids to feed LPS can substitute nitrate ?

It's better BB or DSB sytem ?