LPS/Softie Reefs vs. SPS Reefs: Work/Worry vs. Enjoyment

[acroholic]

I'm bringing up this topic becasue I've had time now to build and live with both types of reef systems for a decent time now.

I kept a reef back in the mid 1990s when it was a bit more difficult than now because there weren't the advances in understanding and equipment that we see today. I left the reef hobby in 1998 and got into high tech freshwater planted tanks because I got tired of the work, expense, and uncertainty of success involved with keeping a reef then. Planted tanks had some of the same appeal, equipment and water chemistry wise, that reefkeeping had, but were a lot easier and less expensive to get into, and a lot more forgiving of less than perfect conditions.

I see a similar, but not as disparate, parallel to an LPS/Softy reef vs an SPS reef. My 60 cube and 100 gallon chalice tanks are LPS reefs, and my 210 is an SPS reef.

I spend at least 5 times more time worrying and fretting about the SPS corals I have vs my chalices and acans. It seems to me that the work vs enjoyment ratio is less for SPS than it is for LPS and softies.

It just seems that there are a LOT more things that can go wrong with SPS corals than there are for LPS and softies. I find myself being able to WATCH and ENJOY my 60 and 100 gallon tank, whereas many times I find myself critically looking at the SPS corals in my 210 and scanning for redbugs, AEFWS, placement issues, is the chemistry right, and worrying more than enjoying.

I love SPS corals, but sometimes I don't know if the worry and work are worth it?
Dave

 

[hackman72]

I've kept softies and LPS for years and haven't dealt with SPS for very long. I can already sympathize with what you're saying here. I catch myself checking, looking, thinking, worrying that everything's fine. I added the SPS to help it look like a more naturally diversified reef but, I prefer the movements of softies in the currents verses a pretty green or purple "stick".

 

[lilrobb]

Acroholic;422612 wrote:
I love SPS corals, but sometimes I don't know if the worry and work are worth it?
Dave

Dave,

this worries me - don't do like Rit!!!

 

[kelleyga36]

I think tank size has a lot to do with the work and worry.I have a SPS dominated system 95gallon display.It also has some chalices and select palys for the lower areas. I might put a hour of time into it a week.And that includes a 15 gallon a week water change.

 

[skriz]

An SPS tank isn't the easiest thing in the world. That makes it that much better when you have a sucessful one.

I've had both type of tanks, but nothing is more awesome & enjoyable than a fully grown sps tank; you just have to wait longer!

 

[acroholic]

LilRobb;422622 wrote: Dave,

this worries me - don't do like Rit!!!

Don't worry Rob, I'm not going anywhere. I just see that some corals are higher maintenance than others. I am considering the long term the focus of this 210 gallon SPS tank, and wanted to know other reefer's opinions on the topic.
Dave

 

[acroholic]

kelleyga36;422625 wrote: I think tank size has a lot to do with the work and worry.I have a SPS dominated system 95gallon display.It also has some chalices and select palys for the lower areas. I might put a hour of time into it a week.And that includes a 15 gallon a week water change.

The size of the system is a big point as well. My 60 cube was interesting. I had been used to a 300 net gallon system (210 and 100 on same sump) when I set the cube up.

Man, a 5 gallon water change is a freeing experience when you are used to doing 25 gallon changes!

 

[coolsurf]

I agree. Sometimes I really wonder why I want to raise SPS when LPS and softies are sooo much easier and look nice as well. I think it's the challenge of doing something successfully.

 

[snowmansnow]

Personally I say it depends on the individuals if the "worry" is keeping you from enjoying the hobby either STOP worrying, or keep LPS.

I have a smaller (120) sps tank, and I don't think ive EVER just stood in front of it and worried.

I'm also fairly new to the hobby, maybe 5 or so years in now, but my sps tank has been just as simple to maintain as anything else I've kept. I'm not trying to be cocky, but honestly, why so much worry... if good equipment is purchased, and you know what you're doing... ? Really about the only adverse thing that ever happens with my SPS tank is the algae on the acrylic walls... and the 1 cyano outbreak I've had.

I have also found that me more I set and forget.. the better the stuff goes. Maybe it's just me but if im always monkeying around with stuff I normally get in trouble. The corals seem like they would rather consistently have one parameter a little out then have me constantly changing their environment.

again, not bein snobby or cocky.. I just don't understand how anyone could stress out about a reef tank.

 

[wbrown]

I personally don't stress over my sps tank, I just throw more money at it.
I have had a couple large wipeouts, and still not 100% certain why, but the more volume I add, the better it goes for all the tanks.
Somehow I get the suspicion that fish poop is detrimental to sps coral, so I'm gathering up stuff for a fishless sps setup, and letting the wife have one of the lps tanks as her fowlr predator tank.