LPS (Large Pretty Showpiece) Corals...Yes or No?

[revhtree]

LPS doesn't stand for Large Pretty Showpiece? Well it should!

Showpiece - something that attracts attention or admiration as an outstanding example of its type.

This week we are going to dedicate our QOTD topics to one of my most favorite types of corals, Large Polyp Stony or LPS corals. And why would LPS corals be my favorite? Well I'm glad you asked. I'm going to get technical with you here. I love LPS corals because they are generally easier to care for than SPS corals and drumroll please......They are BIGGER and more BEAUTIFUL, in my most humble of opinions. LPS just make for some epic tank showpieces!

@Reef Builders says this about LPS: LPS corals require less light than many other species, therefore they require less expensive lighting equipment for the aquarium setups. These corals are very easy to grow and require less maintenance such as water changes, chemical adjustment, and temperature regulation, etc. Maintaining LPS over the long term is easier.

So let's kick it off this week with this!

1. Are you a fan of LPS corals and if so which type is your favorite?

2. Do you have an LPS coral that you consider to be a showpiece of your tank? SHARE A PHOTO!


See any fabulous lps corals in this reef? @jourdy

 

[i cant think]

If I’m honest, my LPS get the most love from relatives and friends as they look like anemones.
And the definition of “Show Piece” is essentially something that attracts the eye.
My tennis ball sized hammer is in the very corner of this photo.

 

[Slocke]

I hope they can be considered a showpiece considering the price and difficulty of a gold torch. Personally I prefer hammers and frogspawn but all euphyllia are awesome. Elegance is another potential centerpiece LPS IMO.

I got a gold hammer from biota arriving tomorrow which I'm quite excited by.

 

[DeniseAndy]

LPS are some of the most beautiful, colorful corals out there. Plus, their colors can be seen with the large polyps and some have great movement.

I do have one tank of LPS. Love them!

 

[kevgib67]

Torches, hammers and frogspawn are definitely show pieces with all the color and movement. Eyes are always drawn to them.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

My LPS is definitely what gets the attention from my friends and family, and euphyllia is what got my husband to finally show any interest at all in my tank. .... while I'm over here just super exited about finally getting a half inch of growth of 6 my favorite tenuis

 

[Scott's reef]

I'm not a huge fan of LPS but I would say I do love my bubble coral. It's a monster and my picture does it no justice as it's big as my hand.

 

[tbrown]

Gonis and Alveopora are gorgeous! Also, torches, hammer, and froggies look great. I don't know an LPS I wouldn't want in my tank although I tend to stick with some easier SPS...

 

[vetteguy53081]

1. Are you a fan of LPS corals and if so which type is your favorite?

Yes and and they offer an array of colors, shapes and blends

2. Do you have an LPS coral that you consider to be a showpiece of your tank? SHARE A PHOTO!

Having mixed reefs, zoa and meaty corals make up the real estate

 

[shakacuz]

i’m an SPS kind of guy but do appreciate the aesthetic of LPS.

definitely a tie between my space invader pectinia and chalice. my fungia took a hit and is recovering in a low light area of my tank(same for some of my button scolies)

 

[i cant think]

If I’m honest, my LPS get the most love from relatives and friends as they look like anemones.
And the definition of “Show Piece” is essentially something that attracts the eye.
My tennis ball sized hammer is in the very corner of this photo.

I forgot to say, my favourite type of LPS coral is a Fox Coral. This is a coral I would love to have in my 4’ tank but I never see it anywhere anymore. It used to be as common as muck but not it’s like getting hold of a true diamond.

 

[Slocke]

Does this count as an LPS or is it an MPS? (I know its technically a softie with a skeleton) Mine is one of my best growers growing from like 20 heads to this crazy conglomeration in a few months. Really like my pipe organ either way.

 

[vlangel]

LPS doesn't stand for Large Pretty Showpiece? Well it should!

Showpiece - something that attracts attention or admiration as an outstanding example of its type.



1. Are you a fan of LPS corals and if so which type is your favorite?

I am a fan of LPS coral. I love frog spawn, hammers and torches and how they move in the flow. I find it soothing.

2. Do you have an LPS coral that you consider to be a showpiece of your tank? SHARE A PHOTO!

Right now I do not have any show piece LPS since my tank is predominantly a softie/macro algae display. I do have a nice colony of trumpets however.

 

[exnisstech]

I have trachophylia, cynarina, frogspawn, bubble, blasto, pectinia, acanthophyllia, duncans, fungia and probably forgetting some. Had lobos but they just started dying after being in the tank for a few years for some reason while everything else thrived. I have recently dedicated a tank to sps because I wanted the challenge and needed something to help occupy my time. LPS are still my favorite. The colors along with the movement are what I love about them. I even have some in my sps system.

 

[Wrassenaround]

I definitely think that LPS can be show pieces. I have a large elegance 5+ mouths and 2 hammer colonies with 10+ heads. Large SPS colonies will always be the foundation of what show pieces look like but what I think always gets overlooked is the size of the tank.
In my 20 gallon tank my 5+ head hammer and torch colonies where definitely show pieces but when I moved them to my reefer 350 they just became regular size colonies. Many of people look at what the cost of a piece (CSB, Holy Grail) would be to categorize it as a showpiece.

 

[Kellie in CA]

My whole tank was basically set up for LPS show pieces. Trachys are my favorite, and the rainbow in the center is probably the nicest. The Acantho behind it has become HUGE despite being sold as "nano size" 9 months ago.
I have room for one more nice piece in the corner and I'm waiting for something really amazing to come along.

 

[i cant think]

My whole tank was basically set up for LPS show pieces. Trachys are my favorite, and the rainbow in the center is probably the nicest. The Acantho behind it has become HUGE despite being sold as "nano size" 9 months ago.
I have room for one more nice piece in the corner and I'm waiting for something really amazing to come along.

On that centre rock structure, is that a fox coral? If so how old is it?

 

[Kellie in CA]

On that centre rock structure, is that a fox coral? If so how old is it?

It is! I got it as a small frag in February.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I love LPS. They are my fav. I like wavy corals. My next coral goals are to form a euphillia garden. Only have 1 frogspawn right now. Lost the others to bjd. My current favs are my 2 duncans, and my elegance which you could say is a centerpiece as it is in the center of my tank. Have a plate coral that is my profile pic but it is not looking so good right now. I also love goni's and plan to get another 1 or 2. There there are the acans and meat corals. No meats yet but I also love blastos, micros, acans, and lobos

 

[mfinn]

I absolutely do consider LPS to be show pieces.
I'm not sure I have a favorite.
Here is a picture of my tank earlier this year.