SPS and Soft Corals Growing Like Crazy...But not LPS

[tbaum101]

When I started this tank 7 months ago, all I heard was LPS and Softies/Polyps are much easier and SPS is hard and the tank must be right etc. The thing is, I've never really had LPS do much in my tank while I'm amazed by everything else. Do they just grow that much slower? Across, Montys, Zoas, Leathers etc are exploding. When I compare photos I'm shocked but my LPS doesn't seem like it has done much of anything. Do I need to focus more or is this a common thing?

 

[zheka757]

I run mix tank, I got slow and fast growing LPS in it, maybe post exactly what LPS you got, other reefers might pitch in if it's fast or slow coral
BTW, good job with the tank for only 7 months! First reef tank?

 

[shcrimps]

IME my hammers and such grow rather slow but when i kept duncan’s they would go from a single polyp to a colony in a couple months

 

[crazyfishmom]

Every tank is a mystery.

What are your water parameters, lighting, and flow like? Might help the group try to help with your LPS!

 

[Solo McReefer]

Sounds like a good problem to have

 

[tbaum101]

I run mix tank, I got slow and fast growing LPS in it, maybe post exactly what LPS you got, other reefers might pitch in if it's fast or slow coral
BTW, good job with the tank for only 7 months! First reef tank?

Good idea...I'll do that. I had a reef tank in the mid 90's...well...It had a few pieces of coral and a grow light...lol. I remembered almost nothing from then. It went belly up after I had to move a few times after I graduated college. I have been fortunate to buy a few of the colonies with a little size on them to begin with. Those seem to show the most dramatic growth. This is my 1st tank at all in 30 years. Things have gotten so much better...except live rock. That's terrible now...

 

[tbaum101]

Sounds like a good problem to have

I know, I know. I sound like the guy winning a bunch of money and complaining about taxes...The thing is, LPS is what I got excited about and what got me into the hobby. Elegance and Micromusa especially.

 

[tbaum101]

These are my two favorites that I want to grow the most. Neither has changed much since I put them in. One polyp has divided on the Dragon Soul and the sides have puffed some but that's it in 3 months. I also have a Candy Cane that has done nothing. As a matter of fact, I thought it was going to die for a long time. It finally puffed up when I increased flow. I also have a Duncan that WAS doing well but nothing since the fist set of heads came off of the original two.
I run high numbers on the big 3. 11-12 on Alk, 480-500 Calcium and 1400 on Magnesium. I have the API vial testers for Nitrates and Phosphates so it's hard to say exactly (really need Hannas) but Nitrates are showing around zero, Ph around 8.2, Phosphates are under .25 (can't be more specific than that based on color)

 

[Lavey29]

Getting a mixed reef to thrive is difficult because of the different coral requirements. I found once I turned my flow way down to 26% on the MP40s coupled with running my XR15 lights at 100% intensity then all the corals thrived and grew. Hammer 22 heads now multiple torches with over 20 heads, soft corals huge, SPS grew into large colonies and I donated 4 to my LFS so I could start over with some different color frags.

I would make sure your flow is not to high for your LPS and most like euphyllia need 150 to 250 par.

 

[tbaum101]

Getting a mixed reef to thrive is difficult because of the different coral requirements. I found once I turned my flow way down to 26% on the MP40s coupled with running my XR15 lights at 100% intensity then all the corals thrived and grew. Hammer 22 heads now multiple torches with over 20 heads, soft corals huge, SPS grew into large colonies and I donated 4 to my LFS so I could start over with some different color frags.

I would make sure your flow is not to high for your LPS and most like euphyllia need 150 to 250 par.

I almost think the one hammer that has made it isn't getting enough. I have two Hygger Horizontal Wavemakers and one other one. They move the water around to the point where I'm concerned for my polyps when they're wide open. The Candy Cane I have did come to life with more flow recently. I just see those tentacles on my elegance flowing around like crazy and it freaks me out

 

[Lavey29]

I almost think the one hammer that has made it isn't getting enough. I have two Hygger Horizontal Wavemakers and one other one. They move the water around to the point where I'm concerned for my polyps when they're wide open. The Candy Cane I have did come to life with more flow recently. I just see those tentacles on my elegance flowing around like crazy and it freaks me out

I just found that less flow in our tight boxes is better.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

When I started this tank 7 months ago, all I heard was LPS and Softies/Polyps are much easier and SPS is hard and the tank must be right etc. The thing is, I've never really had LPS do much in my tank while I'm amazed by everything else. Do they just grow that much slower? Across, Montys, Zoas, Leathers etc are exploding. When I compare photos I'm shocked but my LPS doesn't seem like it has done much of anything. Do I need to focus more or is this a common thing?

You do have some great growth in your tank for only being 7 months old!

 

[VintageReefer]

Lot of lps are slow growers. I have a dragon soul favia that’s taken almost 3 years to become a 3” colony. There are some donut corals that are strenuous slow. On the other hand I bought a 2 head hammer and it became 20 - 25 heads in less than a year

 

[tbaum101]

You do have some great growth in your tank for only being 7 months old!

I can't take credit for it all. Some were bought as smaller colonies.