Newbie Question: what's what?

[BobMc]

Ok, the wife and I have pretty much decided on LPS for the big tank we're going to do this summer. There's a lot of very cool looking stuff, but what are the differences between the different kinds? and are any of them incompatible as tankmates?
I can see some of the differences, like Blastos, Lobos, canycanes, Scolys look different, but what about all the others? They mostly look similar, but are their requirements notably different? For someone who is not interested in the lineage or the rarest newest thing, what are the practical differences between say, chalices, acans, favia, wellso, trachyphylla, echinophylla, etc. ?

Bob

 

[Electrobes]

Hey Bob, let's see if I can take a shot at this.

Chalices are pretty big right now. Many are expensive (The hot item) but just as many can be found cheaply. If you aren't wow'd by them, I would just go for the other more common corals first (i.e. Hammers, Frogspawn, Candy Canes, different Brains, etc).

Blastos - There are different types.. mainly the ones you'll see are Merletti and Welso (I think thats the name.. it's the bigger polyped one that can be mistaken for Acans). I don't know about others, but to me Blastos are a bit difficult. They are very pretty (Mainly Red with a green center) and are a little pricey.

Brains - Lobos, Wespphylia, etc. I love brains but don't keep any. I like bare sand... just my opinion. These corals are fun and really add to tanks that can appreciate them. They require a little more work, as you can feed them directly.. but it's worth it because they inflate and really "Show off their muscle" right after they eat. Many are brightly colored, and they come in so many different colors and patterns. One bad thing about them is that when damaged they can be hell to keep from dying. They are hardy, mind you, but stuff happens.

Candy Canes - I LOVE this coral. They are hardy, quick to proliferate, and while they don;t come in that many colors and patterns, you won't regret getting them. They are "trumpets" as shown by their shape. I would highly recommend this coral. Cost is pretty average.

Fox Coral - I only bring this coral up to warn new reefers to stay away from. Not the easiest coral to keep. Same goes for Cat's Paw.

Frogspawn/Hammers - These are Euphylia corals. It's another coral I highly recommend as they are much like the trumpets in terms of care and proliferation. The difference is they are more "fluffy" in terms of appearance. Again they come in more standard Greens and some purple, yellows, browns, etc. Their price has been increasing for a while.. not sure why to be honest. Back in the day they used to be one of the most affordable corals to start with.

Acans - This coral used to be a very HOT coral to have. Their prices used to make people gasp. It's a very pretty coral, and not the hardest coral to keep. Nowadays you can find frags for pretty decent prices. caring for them is about the same for all LPSs, they don't have to be fed... but it does help.

Hopefully others will chime in too! ;)

 

[skinz78]

I agree fully with Electrobes on the way he explained them. All LPS corals are fully compatible as tank mates but be aware that you have to keep some space between them or they will put out tentacles and start war. Just start out slow with them and add the ones you like and you will start to see the many differences in them and how they react to each other.

 

[CJO]

Great explanation. I really like the euphilia (frogspawn, hammer, etc.), both for their colors and also for the movement you get in the aquarium.

CJ

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I agree fully with Electrobes on the way he explained them. All LPS corals are fully compatible as tank mates but be aware that you have to keep some space between them or they will put out tentacles and start war. Just start out slow with them and add the ones you like and you will start to see the many differences in them and how they react to each other.

1+ to this and the explaination of the corals!! Go slow, give space, and go with what you like!! Keep us updated on what you do!