Can you mix LPS and SPS corals?

Because of their differences in light, flow, reef habitat, feeding and aggressiveness, LPS and SPS corals shouldn’t be kept together. Few tanks are large enough to dedicate different zones of light colour temperature and flow patterns, so have either soft corals, LPS or SPS, and provide conditions particular to them.

Is Hammer coral SPS or LPS?

Yes, hammer corals are a type of LPS coral and they require some flow to thrive.

Are SPS corals for beginners?

SPS or Small Polyp Stony corals can be demanding to keep and it is wise for new reef keepers to start off with soft and/or Large Polyp Stony (LPS) corals. The move up to SPS can be made once sustained success is achieved with softies and LPS. With that said, here is my list of Top 5 Beginner SPS Corals!

Are leather corals SPS or LPS?

Neither. The ‘S’ stands for stony (or scleractinian), leathers are softies (no skeleton).

How much light do LPS corals need?

Most large polyp stony corals prefer medium to low light. If you are unsure about where to place your coral, first try putting half in the shade and half in the light. If they start to turn a neon color, they are beginning to bleach; in opposition, if they turn brown they usually need more light.

What is the easiest LPS coral to keep?

These are just some of the easiest LPS corals to handle.

1. Candy Cane Coral (Caulastrea furcata)
2. Acan Brain Coral (Acanthastrea echinata)
3. Hammer Coral (Euphyllia ancora)
4. Frogspawn Coral (Euphyllia divisa)
5. Torch Coral (Euphyllia glabrescens)
6. Brain Corals (Favites spp.)
7. Brain Corals (Lobophyllia spp.)

Is pulsing Xenia LPS?

Well-Known Member. These are soft corals: Pulsing Xenia’s. These are Large polyp stony corals (LPS):

What does LPS and SPS stand for?

LPS stands for Large Polyp Stony and SPS stands for Small Polyp Stony. The last “S” in both can also stand for Scleractinian. In contrast to LPS corals, SPS have a thin skin covering their skeleton that doesn’t inflate, and that skin is made up of thousands of tiny polyps, all with one mouth each.

Which is easier to care for SPS or LPS corals?

LPS corals or large polyp stony corals are a type of calcareous corals that have large fleshy polyps. They appear large compared to SPS corals. LPS corals are generally easier to care for. These corals need comparatively medium or less light. Moreover, they require slower and clam water currents. They need good quality water.

What’s the difference between a LP and a SPS?

“LPS” is the ‘large polyp stony’ coral. This type of coral is typically larger and easier to keep compared to the SPS type. Many LPS produce long sweeper tentacles which they use for protection.

How are stony corals similar to SPS corals?

Large polyp stony corals work similar to SPS corals: they grow by laying down a hard, calcium carbonate skeleton to protect the soft polyps inside. LPS corals reproduce by spawning or budding – where a small portion of the parent separates to establish a new colony.

When to get interested in SPS and LPs?

There comes a time in this hobby when many aquarists grow bored of their beginner corals and they become interested in small and large polyp stony corals (SPS and LPS, respectively).