Lps placement

[Fifty8reef]

I'm diving into Lps and I am aiming for a lps dominated tank. I notice most Lps require mid or bottom level placement. What would be good for the top portion of my rock work?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

It depends on your lighting which will be the determining factor as to whether or not you can place certain LPS corals towards the top.

Right off the bat, I was thinking of War Corals (Favia and Favites), mine love being towards the top of my aquascape and do very well there. I also have a mini-gonipora hanging out on the same plane as some of my SPS corals that is growing like a weed. Some chalices will also do well in higher light.

 

[VSVP bet]

even if you wanted to get some pavona frags to put near the top, they will do in med/high light and good flow. Dont think they are LPS but might be a good choice none the less.

 

[Fifty8reef]

It depends on your lighting which will be the determining factor as to whether or not you can place certain LPS corals towards the top.

Right off the bat, I was thinking of War Corals (Favia and Favites), mine love being towards the top of my aquascape and do very well there. I also have a mini-gonipora hanging out on the same plane as some of my SPS corals that is growing like a weed. Some chalices will also do well in higher light.

Thank you. I have a 4 bulb aquatic life t5. I will be trying these out in the near future.

 

[Fifty8reef]

even if you wanted to get some pavona frags to put near the top, they will do in med/high light and good flow. Dont think they are LPS but might be a good choice none the less.

That is worth a shot. Thanks buddy

 

[shaggydoo]

Lighting will be your main limiting factor up top on an all LPS tank, but with careful acclimation, you should be able to keep whatever you want up top. I've had a some difficulty making everyone happy in my LPS only tank. Luckily, LED lights make this easy to solve by dimming lights (especially useful in acclimating), but you are more limited with T5. Overall, watch closely for bleaching and be ready to dim lights or move things down if they show signs of too much light. Luckily LPS are very adaptable and I've got a lot of 'low' light corals (blastos especially) right at the tip top of my tank under Hydra HD lights. Just keep an eye on things.

From my own experience, you will have an easier time with euphyllias (hammers, frogs, torches), duncans, some chalices, and favites/favias in higher light, but nearly all LPS can be acclimated to high light. Though most will look better with more subdued lighting.

 

[Fifty8reef]

Lighting will be your main limiting factor up top on an all LPS tank, but with careful acclimation, you should be able to keep whatever you want up top. I've had a some difficulty making everyone happy in my LPS only tank. Luckily, LED lights make this easy to solve by dimming lights (especially useful in acclimating), but you are more limited with T5. Overall, watch closely for bleaching and be ready to dim lights or move things down if they show signs of too much light. Luckily LPS are very adaptable and I've got a lot of 'low' light corals (blastos especially) right at the tip top of my tank under Hydra HD lights. Just keep an eye on things.

From my own experience, you will have an easier time with euphyllias (hammers, frogs, torches), duncans, some chalices, and favites/favias in higher light, but nearly all LPS can be acclimated to high light. Though most will look better with more subdued lighting.

I love T5 because I know it's a guarantee as far a growing but for that reason I'm thinking about getting led

 

[shaggydoo]

I loved T5 as well. My last tank had 8 54w t5 bulbs I retrofitted over a 120g tank. I was the first one in my local reef club to use exclusively T5 and have success with SPS/clams a little over 10 years ago.

However, I say loved because I still do not know why people are sticking with T5. The cost to run T5 compared to LED is so much higher, and the customization on a good LED system is never going to happen with T5. One good LED fixture is equal to dozens upon dozens of expensive T5 bulbs over a fixture's lifespan, and the electricity usage is through the roof with T5 compared to LED. Additionally, the T5 fixtures are expensive by themselves. They even seem to be more expensive than when they first came out. My new 8 bulb retrofit 10 years ago, including bulbs and individual reflectors, was cheaper than I see used T5 fixtures, without bulbs, selling for today. Finally, there is also no way to change your spectrum on T5 without the expense of new bulbs.

Side note, you can get good growth with LEDs.

 

[Fifty8reef]

I loved T5 as well. My last tank had 8 54w t5 bulbs I retrofitted over a 120g tank. I was the first one in my local reef club to use exclusively T5 and have success with SPS/clams a little over 10 years ago.

However, I say loved because I still do not know why people are sticking with T5. The cost to run T5 compared to LED is so much higher, and the customization on a good LED system is never going to happen with T5. One good LED fixture is equal to dozens upon dozens of expensive T5 bulbs over a fixture's lifespan, and the electricity usage is through the roof with T5 compared to LED. Additionally, the T5 fixtures are expensive by themselves. They even seem to be more expensive than when they first came out. My new 8 bulb retrofit 10 years ago, including bulbs and individual reflectors, was cheaper than I see used T5 fixtures, without bulbs, selling for today. Finally, there is also no way to change your spectrum on T5 without the expense of new bulbs.

Side note, you can get good growth with LEDs.

That side not was my biggest fear. T5 was given to me and I figure I couldn't go wrong with it. I will be switching up soon however. I like the convenience of led