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

[exnisstech]

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.

Absolutely STUNNING! Any tricks on growing the fox coral? I have one that has been stagnant for over a year.

 

[Bleigh]

Some LPS are incredible. I love my little scoly garden. I really want to get to a point where I can afford/feel comfortable keeping some rare LPS, such as indophyllia. No way those are anything but showstoppers.

 

[dstockwell]

 

[Kellie in CA]

Absolutely STUNNING! Any tricks on growing the fox coral? I have one that has been stagnant for over a year.

It seems to light a lot of light, it's right under a Kessil. Also, I feed my tank a lot, the water is not too clean.

 

[ssdawood]

Of course they are showpiece corals. Even soft corals can be.

An impressive colony of any coral is showpiece coral.
In this world of 1/2 in frags any coral in colony form is show piece, centerstage.

 

[death-by-reef]

sometimes

 

[Eienna]

I mean...you ever seen a rainbow acan or a big old wall hammer? The acans are my favorite, No tank at this moment.

 

[Mark Bradley]

I just love my Fox Coral - always gets asked about.

 

[BigSkyRich]

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

My Duncan is a happy camper

 

[n2585722]

Here is my candy cane and duncan. The candy cane was originally just two heads. It is now two colony's. the Duncan had about 4 heads. The candy cane is one of my original corals.

 

[Treefer32]

I love LPS as show pieces and want my 340 mixed reef covered in LPS... So far, I have a massive Chalice that's 3 tiers, and each tier is around 12" in diameter. It kills anything within 12" of it. I had hammers doing great I had gone from 3frags 1 head each to over 30 heads, then they all died within 3 months. I had an elegance that died, a galaxia that died (all the while my SPS and Acros and a fungia plate coral are taking off, including duncans and candy canes.)

I have a acan that is stuck with 4 heads it started with. I have recently acquired 2 Gonipora (a white and a Green one) that are both taking off really well now. I feel like SPS are somewhat indestructible in my tank and LPS struggle to survive long term.

 

[Chlorinated]

LPS and Softies for the win!

 

[Dan Friday]

Mixed reef with a big space invader Chalice front and center

 

[littlebigreef]

Lps are for sure a center piece but it is absolutely stunning some collections of welso, trachy or scoly you see in photos. These are folks playing the long game that know how to take good care of their stuff.

I've recently gotten into welsoni and have two varieties that I love. I'm hoping to add more this winter. I've also long been fond elegances and have a lovely yellow-tipped variety and a red centered one (which I successfully fragged out of necessity).

My hands down favorite is an aussie Welso in got earlier this summer. It came in with another really unique that had green and yellow tissue but I had to chose one or the other so this is the one i chose.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Anyone who doesn't think LPS have the ability to be a showpiece should meet these two.

20"x15" bubble coral

20 mouth Elegance

 

[CharlesTheSloth]

Sure they are but really depends on the tank and it’s inhabitants! I have seen some really nice NPS Gorgonias that truly steal the show and have seen basketball sized Gonipora’s and Hammers that make any plating coral look tiny!

 

[Catnip885]

1. Are you a fan of LPS corals and if so which type is your favorite?
LPS are probably my favorite. Love the colors and movements. My favorite currently is between my blastos and my acans.


2. Do you have an LPS coral that you consider to be a showpiece of your tank? SHARE A PHOTO!
Would definitely say my frogspawn is my showpiece LPS in my Evo.

 

[Coinzmans Reef]

I am a fan

 

[rogersb]

My tank is LPS focused with zoas as filler. Absolutely they are show pieces.

Look at aquaculture facilities. What are they mostly growing? SPS. Why? It grows fast enough to make a profit. LPS just doesn't pump out the growth other types of coral do, so a big piece is really to be respected

 

[Murky Waters]

LPS!!!
Nothing else to say but look…