Since starting up my 90gal I have developed a fondness for LPS corals. However I have a desire to add SPS to my tank one day. So, I'm curious to know is there a huge difference between the two types in regards to caring for/ feeding/water parameters. Also I'd like to know what my fellow reefers prefer.
LPS vs SPS
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SPS usually require a mature tank (6+ months) and more pristine water quality fr coloration and growth. Nitrates near zero as well as Phosphates are essential for Optimal SPS growth and fr them to thrive. Also having consistent AK, Ca, and Mg at the correct levels is also a must. IMHO
Many montipora seem to require less light and in my own experience not quite fanatical attention to water quality... in a mixed soft/LPS/SPS tank I feel there're one of the better choices. But in general, consistent parameters <u>kept in the right ballpark</u></em> will carry the day versus hour-by-hour/daily testing and dosing regimens and still allow you to sucessfully stock just about anything coral-wise.
Keep in mind that you have to keep up with whatever you choose to do... that latter approach to keeping spot-on parameters might yeild optimal growth, but eventually you're going to slack off or burn out doing it. I've also seen far more things take a turn for the worse when "fixing" a parameter to get it "right" simply because it changed than due to outright neglect.
Unless you're running a prop tank as a significant source of income, shoot for stability instead... you'll enjoy your tank more and still be able to take vacations.
Keep in mind that you have to keep up with whatever you choose to do... that latter approach to keeping spot-on parameters might yeild optimal growth, but eventually you're going to slack off or burn out doing it. I've also seen far more things take a turn for the worse when "fixing" a parameter to get it "right" simply because it changed than due to outright neglect.
Unless you're running a prop tank as a significant source of income, shoot for stability instead... you'll enjoy your tank more and still be able to take vacations.
+1. To what Greg is saying above.
But in addition to the stable water quality. I have found that much greater flow and intense lighting are needed to maintain growth of SPS. The flow amounts may be too much for some types of LPS. I have had to move mine to lower corners and sides where the flow is a bit less (hammers & frog spawn) my .02.
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I Absolutely agree.
Depending on the size of your tank... people overrate the difficulty of keeping most SPS.
There are some SPS that are HARD to kill. There are others that are very easy to kill, but I think most fall somewhere in between. Weekly water changes with a good skimmer, light, and flow are a simple recipe for keeping most SPS healthy. As long as you are willing to put the money/planning and care into it, they can be a joy to take care of.
My tank is only about 6 weeks old, and I had noticed great growth on all of my SPS. It is a 55g, so I don't have to dose anything but PH buffer. I wouldn't shy away from keeping them as long as you have the right environment set up on your tank!
There are some SPS that are HARD to kill. There are others that are very easy to kill, but I think most fall somewhere in between. Weekly water changes with a good skimmer, light, and flow are a simple recipe for keeping most SPS healthy. As long as you are willing to put the money/planning and care into it, they can be a joy to take care of.
My tank is only about 6 weeks old, and I had noticed great growth on all of my SPS. It is a 55g, so I don't have to dose anything but PH buffer. I wouldn't shy away from keeping them as long as you have the right environment set up on your tank!
If your tank is stable (so you have completely finished your cycle, added fish and nitrates are still low, and nutrients are consistent) I don't see any reason why not.
People say the same thing about anemones. I have never had a problem with adding an anemone as long as my tank was stable (which usually takes about 12 weeks, depending on if you started with established rock or not).
People say the same thing about anemones. I have never had a problem with adding an anemone as long as my tank was stable (which usually takes about 12 weeks, depending on if you started with established rock or not).
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as a "general rule" that has many exceptions, LPS are more forgiving then SPS.
again, Generally Speaking SPS:
huge random flow (such as Votech's & Tunze)
Intense Lighting (such as a couple of 400 watt MH)
Mag above 1300
Alk always in range
Calcium Maintained above 400
ULNS or close to it as Phates need to be consistently below 0.03 through GFO removal and Nitrates at or below 0.5 through Carbon dosing, nitrifyers, large weekly water changes, etc....
24-7
there are many ways and methods to "get there", however, you may, your tank must always be "spot on".....
again, Generally Speaking SPS:
huge random flow (such as Votech's & Tunze)
Intense Lighting (such as a couple of 400 watt MH)
Mag above 1300
Alk always in range
Calcium Maintained above 400
ULNS or close to it as Phates need to be consistently below 0.03 through GFO removal and Nitrates at or below 0.5 through Carbon dosing, nitrifyers, large weekly water changes, etc....
24-7
there are many ways and methods to "get there", however, you may, your tank must always be "spot on".....
i prefer acropora over any other coral,so sps reef.a lot of lps dont like my tank because of light and flow but zoas and palys seem to do great despite the very low nutrients.
In general, I go for cheaper corals, or ones I can get on swap, for free, or small frags and grow them out. They can be LPS/SPS/Softies, I have them all. There are "less" demanding / more forgiving corals of ALL varieties (SPS included), so if you can get a piece of SPS try it!
I see tanks that are SPS dominant and matured and find them absolutely gorgeous, BUT they take many years of patient and GOOD husbandry to get that way. And SPS dominant tanks do NOT appear to be very forgiving. Heat, Light, Flow, Quality of the water. A slip in any of them on a heavy SPS tank can QUICKLY result in a disaster.
Personally, that's why I prefer a mixed reef. I get to experience all kinds of corals and can do it at a reasonable level of maintenance and lower risk.
I see tanks that are SPS dominant and matured and find them absolutely gorgeous, BUT they take many years of patient and GOOD husbandry to get that way. And SPS dominant tanks do NOT appear to be very forgiving. Heat, Light, Flow, Quality of the water. A slip in any of them on a heavy SPS tank can QUICKLY result in a disaster.
Personally, that's why I prefer a mixed reef. I get to experience all kinds of corals and can do it at a reasonable level of maintenance and lower risk.
