LPS on sandbed

[Necrodaemus]

Do LPS (Blastos, Micromussa, etc) do ok on the sandbed long term? Do they form a skeleton that allows them to spread out or do they just keep growing into a ball, potentially causing issues as they get larger?

 

[BristleWormHater]

Depends on the coral some will be fine on sand others won't, as for blastomussa make sure they get just enough flow to blow sand & debris off of them, but not too much as to not irritate the coral. It is generally recommended to put blastos on the rocks. Also what sand are you using? Something that stays put like carribsea special grade is the only thing that would make me consider a blasto in the sand bed.

 

[BristleWormHater]

If you are looking for some sanded lps. Look at brain corals (favia,lobophyllia,trachyphilla,etc...)
Hope this helps!

 

[exnisstech]

@VintageReefer keeps a lot of really nice lps on the sand

 

[Necrodaemus]

Depends on the coral some will be fine on sand others won't, as for blastomussa make sure they get just enough flow to blow sand & debris off of them, but not too much as to not irritate the coral. It is generally recommended to put blastos on the rocks. Also what sand are you using? Something that stays put like carribsea special grade is the only thing that would make me consider a blasto in the sand bed.

My blastos get just enough flow to keep them clean but not so much that it stresses them. I have them on frag rocks and my biggest one hasn’t really encrusted much, but is growing skeleton upward in a winding pattern. I intentionally made it close up to show what I’m talking about. Second pic is of it fully open. Both of these I started as dime size frags. I’m using CaribSea Special Grade…doesn’t get blown around much at all.

 

[VintageReefer]

It depends on the coral

Acans, blasto, and (former) favia will spread and encrust over rock or grow out tiles. If a surface is not present, they will calcify a skeletal base. This process yields slower growth as it’s easier for coral to encrust an existing surface. Grow out tiles are the best because the surface is smooth and without gaps.

Brain corals and donut corals typically do well on the sand also

Some corals I’ve found get irritated from sand, I use small frag stands to elevate them a bit

 

[Formulator]

In general my experience has been that brains and acans will tolerate it, but anything with “tentacles” (euphyllia) don’t do well at all. So torches are a definite no go.

 

[Necrodaemus]

In general my experience has been that brains and acans will tolerate it, but anything with “tentacles” (euphyllia) don’t do well at all. So torches are a definite no go.

Yea, I’m mainly referring to the LPS similar to Acans (Micromussa) and Blastos.

 

[VintageReefer]

Those are nice blastos! I’d use a grow out tile. It’s easier to feed if the polyps are flat and facing upwards, and they will grow faster

 

[Necrodaemus]

Those are nice blastos! I’d use a grow out tile. It’s easier to feed if the polyps are flat and facing upwards, and they will grow faster

I’m definitely gonna do that, or find a flat, thin piece of rock.

 

[BristleWormHater]

My blastos get just enough flow to keep them clean but not so much that it stresses them. I have them on frag rocks and my biggest one hasn’t really encrusted much, but is growing skeleton upward in a winding pattern. I intentionally made it close up to show what I’m talking about. Second pic is of it fully open. Both of these I started as dime size frags. I’m using CaribSea Special Grade…doesn’t get blown around much at all.

Nice!